BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Lt. Col. Todd Burnley assumed command of the AFSBn-Bagram, 401st Army Field Support Brigade, from Lt. Col. Peter Koch in a change of command ceremony Dec. 7 presided over by Col. Mark A. Paget, 401st AFSB commander.
Koch commanded the battalion during a year of change that saw the retrograde of equipment become a significant mission while still fielding and sustaining equipment for maneuver units.
Some of his accomplishments included leading the largest logistics battalion in the Army supporting Warfighters, increasing redistribution of equipment through improved processes which resulted in retrograding more than 44,000 pieces of equipment. All this while maintaining an operational readiness rate above 90 percent for critical items across seven brigade combat teams.
While acknowledging Koch's accomplishments, Paget took time to thank the Koch family for "sharing this great Soldier with us in Afghanistan and giving Pete the inner strength and sense of purpose to carry on day and night for the last 12 months."
Paget praised Koch's ability to lead a complex organization, work through strategic and operational issues and expertly execute his tactical mission.
"There is a genuine sense of pride and accomplishment for all the battalion has accomplished over the past 12 months," Paget said.
"It has been a tremendous year and I have been lucky enough to be in command while this collection of outstanding Soldiers, DA civilians and contactors have accomplished seemingly impossible feats and improved themselves across the board as an organization and as individuals," Koch said.
"The best part of the battalion is the people and I have been truly blessed to be surrounded by a family that cares about the mission and each other and does whatever it takes to take care of both of those," he said.
Paget welcomed Burnley to the 401st.
"You and [your wife] Staci are up to the challenges to carry on the great work of Lt. Col. Pete Koch," Paget said.
Burnley thanked Koch for posturing the battalion for future success and said he "is excited to be here … at this critical juncture of OEF [Operation Enduring Freedom]."
"I look forward to working with everyone over the next year and continuing AFSBn-Bagram's tradition of outstanding support to our Soldiers and coalition partners," he said.
Burnley thanked his wife, Staci, for her tireless support and added "I'll be home before you know it."
Koch's next assignment is with Army Logistics, the Pentagon, as an operations officer.
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