HHC, 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion prepares for redeployment

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), started the redeployment process by preparing their containers for shipment back to the United States.

Soldiers were required to empty the containers of all the contents in order to clean out all dirt and debris. It is the first of many steps the unit must take in order to send home their personal items and equipment.

The next step will be an inspection of the containers to determine serviceability and cleanliness. The unit will then put everything back into the containers until the customs inspection is conducted next month.

During this inspection, every Soldier will be required to layout all the contents of their personal tuff boxes. Each section within the HHC will also be required to layout all equipment that will be returning to Fort Bragg.

"It feels good to finally be at the point that we are preparing to leave," said Spc. Liza Santiago, a HHC supply clerk and native of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Staff Sgt. Alexander Munoz of Armenia, Columbia, the HHC Operations NCO and Platoon Sergeant echoes Santiago's sentiments.

"It's fantastic that we are getting ready for redeployment," Munoz said. "Being ten months into a successful deployment, I think we're all ready to complete our mission here and get back home to our families."

Along with being the HHC Operations NCO and 1st Platoon Sergeant, Munoz is also the company's Unit Movement Officer. He has the task of coordinating the movement of the unit's containers back to Fort Bragg. A lot of responsibility rests on the shoulders of this newly promoted staff sergeant, and he takes this responsibility willingly.

"My entire career as a Soldier, I have been taught to multitask. I have learned to be multifunctional and flexible," Munoz said. "I am very fortunate to have great Soldiers and noncommissioned officers to support me in accomplishing all of my assigned duties."

The 264th CSSB, an active duty battalion out of Fort Bragg, N.C. has been deployed since late April, 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-11.