The members of the Army Contracting Command -- Aberdeen Proving Ground recently gathered to witness the inactivation of three contracting teams assigned to the 926th Contracting Battalion.
Bryon J. Young, ACC-APG's executive director, officiated the ceremony to inactivate the 712th, 722nd and 725th CTs. A fourth team, the 865th CT, is currently deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and will inactivate upon return.
"This is a bittersweet occasion," Young addressed the group. "Although we are inactivating three teams, the battalion has been granted an extension to stay with us a bit longer. We are folding the team flags to mark this event, but we are not folding the people. The Soldiers assigned are moving on with what they've learned here and will be taking a part of ACC-APG with them."
According to Young, these inactivations were part of an overall realignment of military contracting teams to support combatant divisions.
The 926th CBN was activated in April 2013 with an objective to optimize contingency contracting and to enhance the training opportunities for Soldiers within the contracting career field. During its short tenure, the battalion made its mark on history, performing with distinction in support of forward-deployed troops, as evidenced by the comments of LTC Andrew Carter, commander, 926th CBN.
"In 2014, the battalion participated in several exercises before deploying to Kuwait to assume the new contingency contract administration services mission, which transitioned from the Defense Contract Management Agency," Carter explained. "During this nine-month mission, the battalion administered 122 contracts valued at over $5.5 billion supporting 24,000 military and contractor personnel -- a performance that earned the 926th the 'Battalion of the Year' through the Army Acquisition Executive's Excellence in Leadership Awards. The battalion returned to APG last summer but then the 725th CT deployed to Iraq and upon their return, the 865th replaced them. In total, 25 members of the battalion have deployed during our few short years here supporting the global force."
LTC Carter concluded by saying that each 926th CBN member will leave ACC-APG and go to their next unit well-trained and ready, taking with them a piece of everyone who shaped and molded them.
An award ceremony followed the inactivation ceremony. The ceremony recognized three 926th CBN Soldiers who are moving on to new assignments. Maj. Lester S. Gebski, Maj. Ryan P. Martin and Staff Sgt. Krishna K. Menon each received the Meritorious Service Medal and recognition for their significant achievements.
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