ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Members of the 926th Contingency Contracting Battalion departed here and began a nine-month deployment to Kuwait Nov. 7 where they will assume a new contingency contract administration services mission.

The Army Contracting Command-APG hosted a deployment ceremony officially casing the battalion's colors and recognizing the 13 Soldiers that will form the battalion headquarters component during the mission. Contingency contracting teams from ACC-Rock Island, Illinois; ACC-New Jersey; ACC-Redstone, Alabama and ACC-Warren, Michigan, as well as 14 ACC civilian personnel deployed as part of the battalion, according to Lt. Col. Derek Draper, 926th commander.

As the lead for the mission, Draper addressed the members of ACC-APG during the ceremony.

"Today we case our colors to carry them forward to the U.S. Army Central Command area of operation," Draper began. "Once forward, we will assume a new mission and write a new line in the history of the 926th CCBn. A little over a year ago, we made history by activating the first battalion in the Army contracting centers and today, we are the first battalion to assume the CCAS mission, transferring the authority from the Defense Contract Management Agency to ACC."

The CCAS mission entails contract administration duties ensuring that supplies and services are delivered in accordance with the terms of their contracts. According to unit members, the 926th prepared for the mission by training on the 105 delegable tasks covering administrative contract officer duties, quality assurance and property administration.

"Our CCAS mission will encompass about $6 billion in contracts," Draper pointed out. "We will ensure the Army receives the contracted services and supplies necessary to carry out the Army's mission. We will hold the contractor accountable to the terms and conditions of the contracts and protect the government's interests. We look forward to expanding our culture from a primary focus on pre-award and obligation of dollars to contract administration."

During the ceremony, Bryon J. Young, ACC-APG executive director, spoke directly to the military members.

"You are trained and ready for this mission," he said. "As the first to assume this CCAS responsibility, ensure you track lessons learned to transfer your knowledge to the next contracting battalion that follows your lead."

Draper acknowledged the sacrifices of family members and asked the community for their continued support throughout the unit's deployment.

"So far I've talked about the mission and the Army, but I want to recognize the people that truly allow us in uniform to protect and defend our country and that is our families," Draper said. "Our families are a critical part of the mission of preserving our way of life we so enjoy. They are the ones that take on the extra responsibilities we can't while deployed. Their sacrifices are great and too often overlooked. I ask the APG community to continue its great support to our families and to go that extra mile with an understanding of the burdens our families are shouldering while we are forward caring out the Army's mission."