45th Sustainment Brigade assumes Joint Logistics Command mission in Afghanistan

By Sgt. Jennifer Premer, 45th Sustainment Brigade PAOFebruary 10, 2009

45th Sustainment Brigade Uncases Colors in Afghanistan
Col. Clay Hatcher, a native of Mountain Grove, Miss., commander of the 45th Sustainment Brigade, and Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Ramos II, a native of Manhattan, N.Y., unfurl the unit's colors during a transfer-of-authority ceremony at Bagram Airfield... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (February 9, 2009) - The 45th Sustainment Brigade assumed responsibility of the Joint Logistics Command from 101st Sustainment Brigade, during a transfer-of-authority ceremony here, Feb. 7.

Army Col. Clay Hatcher, a native of Mountain Grove, Miss. and commander of the 45th Sustainment Brigade, will oversee the organization, which is responsible for providing logisticial support to Coalition forces throughout Afghanistan; ensuring troops in the combined joint area of operations are fully supplied.

"The opportunity for 45th Sustainment Brigade to step forward and assume responsibility for the Joint Logistics Command is a privilege," said Hatcher. "We recognize that much remains to be done, and we do not underestimate the significant task to which we have committed ourselves."

As troop strength is expected to increase in the next few months, the command\'s responsibilities will continue to grow.

"We are expanding our footprint in Afghanistan," said Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser, the Combined Joint Task Force-101 commander. "I know that the team we have here is up to the task," he continued.

Hatcher also expressed confidence in the assignment.

"We have a great year ahead of us as we continue to build on the outstanding legacy of the JLCs of the past."

The 45th is based in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and will be augmented next month by the 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, out of Bangor, Maine and by the 484th Movement Control Battalion out of Springfield, Mo. in April.

Several members of the brigade executed the 2004 JLC mission while assigned to the 25th Infantry Division Support Command, which is linked to the 45th's heritage.

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