BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan. (July 18, 2012) -- The 257th Movement Control Battalion based out of Gainesville, Fla., transferred authority of all joint movement control operations to the 49th Movement Control Battalion during a ceremony on July 18, 2012 at Bagram Airfield.
More than 250 Soldiers attended the ceremony including Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French, commanding general, Joint Sustainment Command -- Afghanistan, who gave the opening remarks for the event.
"I'm so proud of our unit because usually a movement control battalion has ten movement control teams under its command, but we managed to effectively command 19 teams between Bagram and Kandahar," Lt. Col. Kevin F. Meisler, commander, 257th MCB said. "It feels great to leave Bagram knowing we did our job."
With more than 500 U.S. Army, Army Reserve, and U.S. Air Force service members making up the 257th MCB, the battalion was responsible for the $2.16 billion Host Nation Trucking Contract closeout.
The 257th MCB also had oversight and management of $984,000,000 National Afghan Trucking contract and improved the In-Transit Visibility database saving the U.S. government more than $700,000.
Lt. Col. Charles H. Blumenfeld, commander, 49th MCB said his unit will continue to improve the foundation the 257th MCB has laid throughout Afghanistan.
"The great thing about the Army is not only how we prepare to carry out missions, but how Soldiers respond to challenges they may encounter," Blumenfeld said. "I believe my Soldiers are not only dedicated to our mission, but will strive for excellence while we're here."
For the 257th MCB, it is the end of a mission that spread their battalion throughout thirty locations in Afghanistan and gave them the opportunity to not only work with other services, but form relationships with Afghan citizens.
Meisler said he wants his soldiers to hold their heads high because even though they didn't have the most glorified job in theater, they sustained the war fighter in one of the most austere logistical locations on earth.
"We never dropped the ball once," Meisler said. "The camaraderie, mentorship and friendship between all of our brothers and sisters at arms made the deployment bearable and enjoyable making me proud to be a soldier."
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