FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (June 12, 2014) ‐‐ After a busy two years that included two separate deployments to Kuwait and Honduras, the 48th Combat Support Hospital welcomed a new leader Sunday morning.
Col. Gregory A. Kolb took the reigns of the 48th CSH from Col. Thomas A. Johnson during a change of command ceremony at McGlachlin Parade Field.
"Throughout my career I have been blessed with great assignments, and being selected as a commander for the 48th CSH is no exception," Kolb said. "I am honored to serve as your commander for the next two years."
Headquartered at the Capt. John Smathers Reserve Center, located on Route 175, the 48th CSH provides the medical capability of a 248-bed hospital, providing operating rooms, emergency medical triage and treatment facilities, intensive care units, minimal care wards and neuropsychiatry services.
Formed during World War II as the 48th Portable Surgical Hospital, the unit was first assigned to the China-Burma-India Theater in 1943 to provide medical training for Chinese army medical personnel.
Shortly after arriving in China, however, the unit split into two elements, joining the 2nd Army and the 53rd Army, 35th Division. During this time, the 48th Portable Surgical Hospital provided surgical treatment to more than 325 combat causalities.
The unit was reactivated during the Korean War, with the mission of receiving and treating all hemorrhagic fever virus cases in the 8th Army and was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation streamer.
After serving in Korea and Japan, the 48th CSH was activated at Fort Meade as the first multicomponent combat support hospital. From 2002 to 2003, the 48th CSH mobilized 119 Soldiers to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Most recently, 178 of its Soldiers served in Kuwait in support of the War on Terrorism and 199 more Soldiers deployed to Honduras on a humanitarian mission.
Johnson served at the helm of the 48th CSH during both recent deployments and commanded the unit in Kuwait from March 2013 to January.
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