BAUMHOLDER, Germany - Senior leaders from 16th Sustainment Brigade spent the week of Jan. 19-22 in Washington meeting with Congress, Department of Defense officials and leading think tanks to discuss current operations in Europe, focusing on sustainment and logistics and leader development within the theater.
The visit, called the Army Current Operations Engagement Tour, provided a forum to draw attention to 16th SB activities in Europe, the current sustainment mission, and answer policymakers' questions.
"This trip is significant because it provided a window to achieve two goals. First, inform people about the mission in Europe. Second, and more importantly, tell the American populace the story of what their Soldiers are doing," said Lt. Col. Steven Dowgielewicz, commander of 39th Transportation Battalion (Movement Control).
Coordinated by 39th Trans. Bn., U.S. Army Europe used more than 200 trains to move equipment and drove close to one million miles providing distribution in Europe throughout 2015. Capt. Nicholas Greco, commander of 515th Trans. Co., highlighted his company's unique mission as the only fuel distribution company in Europe.
"Limited resources are mitigated by working with our allies, building relationships and testing interoperability of our equipment. The work these young Soldiers and leaders do with our partners across Europe allow the continued sustainment of a Strong Europe," Greco said to senior civilians and military leaders.
The week kicked off by sitting down with Undersecretary of the Army, Hon. Patrick Murphy, expounding the 16th Sustainment Brigade's current efforts sustaining U.S. Army Europe and NATO partners, highlighting involvement in Operation Atlantic Resolve.
During the week, several events hosted the 16th SB leaders met with Congress in several different forums. Individuals sat down with their home district representatives. The team briefed both Senate and House Arms Services Committees, bringing light to theater sustainment in Europe.
"In Europe, we achieve and excel in a resource-constrained environment. You see more junior leaders step up a take responsibility for missions," said Col. Michelle M.T. Letcher, commander of 16th Sustainment Brigade.
"Junior officers and NCOs are provided opportunities to plan and execute real world missions each day. Lieutenants leading convoys passing through multiple countries, or NCOs working in an office daily alongside NATO counterparts," Letcher continued.
During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Maj. David Thompson, the 16th SB support operations officer, discussed with reporters the work of maturing a concept of support across Atlantic Resolve with our NATO Allies.
Thompson said, "It is through allied support, National Guard and Reserve Soldiers, the regionally allocated force and dynamic presence, that the 16th Sustainment Brigade is resourced to sustain a Strong Europe."
The delegation also held discussions with several leading policy think tanks, including RAND Corporation, Center for Strategic and International Studies and Association of the United States Army. At the end of the tour, 16th SB leader departed the Capitol proud to communicate the sustainment mission and accomplishments in Europe with senior officials in Washington.
"These Soldiers stand out because not only do they defend our freedom, but the freedom of our NATO allies and partners. Each Soldier assures our commitment to collective security through their contributions throughout Europe each day," Dowgielewicz stated at the conclusion of the tour. "The mission in Europe brings with it great challenges, but great opportunities as well."
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