54th QM Co. Soldiers deploy to CENTCOM AOR

FORT LEE, Va. – More than 25 Soldiers assigned to Detachment 1, 54th Quartermaster Company (Fatality Management), 10th Transportation Battalion (Terminal), 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) were recognized in a deployment ceremony Nov. 2 at the Fort Lee Family Life Center as they prepare to deploy to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

The detachment, led by 1st Lt. Elhadji Beye and Staff Sgt. Colten Savage, will assume the fatality management support mission in the CENTCOM, charged with returning fallen military members to their next of kin.

“Not everyone can do this work; Detachment 1 has prepared with purpose, they have trained hard on their platoon tasks, built their skills, and learned to operate as one team as well as planned and coordinated the movement that brought them here today,” said Capt. Alexander Young, 54th QM Co. commander. “That work demanded discipline, attention to detail, and trust in one another, they earn the confidence we place in them today.

“Fatality management has a very unique mission that require technical skills, sound judgment, compassion, and the strength to serve with dignity in difficult circumstances,” said the captain. “Detachment 1 has chosen to take on that responsibility, and their service will honor those they support and the families who depend on them.”

Several of the members have deployed to CENTCOM before including Beye who has deployed four times before and Savage who was a team leader in 2023.

“It’s a good feeling, I will be leading troops,” said Staff Sgt. Jamal Crosby who is deploying for the fourth time. “I get another one (deployment) under my belt.”

For many in the detachment, this will be their first deployment, Pfc. Zahnae Johnson says she’s ready to get more experience.

While the Soldiers are deployed, Lt. Col. Zachary Miller, 10th Trans. Bn. commander, assured them that the battalion will not forget their families.

“Our commitment to you does not stop when those busses pull away tomorrow,” said Miller. “I want you to know that my door, our command team, our soldiers, and family support network remain available to you throughout this deployment.

“Your families are the foundation, they deserve the same commitment and dedication that you bring to this mission,” said Miller.

Miller reminded the Soldiers, that it is more than just a deployment; it's about service, sacrifice, family, and a tremendous responsibility they are preparing to undertake.

“You have been entrusted with one of the most important and honorable missions in our U.S. Army; mortuary affairs is not a mission that receives the recognition or attention it deserves, but I would argue that few missions carry a greater responsibility,” said Miller. When our nation calls its sons and daughters to serve, we make a commitment to them and their families; that commitment does not end when a soldier makes the ultimate sacrifice -- it is carried forward by soldiers like you.

“You are entrusted with ensuring that our fallen service members are treated with dignity, respect, and honor; your professionalism provides comfort to families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” said the colonel. “You represent the Army's final commitment to those who have given everything for our nation and that is a tremendous responsibility, and you have been trained and certified to carry it out to the families, to the spouses, children, parents, and loved ones.”

The 54th QM Co. is the Army’s only active-duty fatality management unit. Through Operation Spartan Shield, Task Force Spartan maintains a U.S. military posture in Southwest Asia sufficient to strengthen our defense relationships and build partner capacity.