FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- The 699th Maintenance Company cased its colors during an inactivation ceremony here, Sept. 15.
The "Marauders" company served under the 1916th Support Battalion, 916th Support Brigade, and was stationed here since 1997. The maintenance company provided direct and field-level maintenance, by conducting on-system repair and replacement, and returning equipment to users.
Soldiers of the company repaired small arms, weaponry, weapons systems, communications and electronic equipment, wheeled vehicles, tracked vehicles and other ground support equipment. They also performed allied trades fabrication and provided welding support. The Marauders performed maintenance on Operations Group vehicles and the pre-positioned stock fleet before the implementation of augmented contracted support.
The 1916th Support Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Marshanna Gipson, praised the unit for its service and enduring contributions.
"The 699th Maintenance Company has a long, rich history as a part of our armed forces," Gipson said. "But more than their history, the unit now has an opportunity to leave a legacy, a legacy grounded in maintenance excellence. For every vehicle recovered or repaired, every tired changed, every opportunity to teach and train another fellow Soldier to carry on the mission, once the unit is gone, the legacy of the 699th Maintenance Company will carry on.
So, as the company inactivates today, understand its legacy will continue through the units it has supported. Its leaders and Soldiers and Families, as they become dispersed throughout the ranks of our military and civilian communities around the world, this unit has left its fingerprints on our most prized resources -- the Soldiers and Families of this great Army."
Capt. Samuel Sistare, last commander of the 699th, paid tribute to the Soldiers of the company, which had approximately 200 at full strength. About 40 remained to participate in the ceremony.
"This group of Soldiers standing in front of you today is just a small representation of over 205 Marauders, who have provided expert support and maintenance to the National Training Center," Sistare said.
Sistare listed some of the unit's accomplishments within the 21 months he commanded. They include:
● 1,702 recovery missions, 55,445 miles driven and 1,156 tires changed -- with no class A or B accidents -- conducted by the recovery team
● 4,599 small arms repairs and 5,130 work orders completed by the armament section
● 3,351 work orders completed by auto shop operations
Sistare mentioned that his unit also supported community relation events at Silver Valley High School, Barstow, Big Bear, Operation Purple Camp and Kids Camp.
"To the VIPs of today, the Marauders -- my Soldiers -- it was an honor to be called your commander, but all the glory and accolades belong to you," Sistare said.
The company was originally constituted May 22, 1943 as the 699th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company. In October 1965, the unit was re-designated as the 699th Maintenance Company and activated one month later at Fort Stewart, Ga.
The unit deployed from here to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and 2009. In 2006, the company deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.
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