CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait -- The 248th Aviation Support Battalion's commander, Lt. Col. Charles Lampe and Command Sgt. Maj. Mathew Doty ceremonially cased the colors of Task Force Viper, transferring authority to the 935th Aviation Support Battalion Aug. 26 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
The ceremony marked the end of a successful nine-month deployment to the Middle East providing air and ground sustainment to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade in support of operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve.
"I'm very proud of our team and the 449th CAB, said Lampe. "I think [the deployment] was overwhelmingly a success because of the human element within our commands. We were a team of teams, focused on building relationships that got to the heart of the challenges we faced."
The ASB was responsible for the distribution of aircraft parts and fuel, maintenance and medical care across 12 locations in Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Turkey. They managed an aviation supply network that utilized aircraft from every military branch, moving over $77 million of cargo and created a ground supply line, which increased supply movement by 200 percent, moving $42 million of equipment.
Comprised of Army National Guard Soldiers from five states, TF Viper faced many challenges internal and external to the unit that could have affected operations if gone unnoticed. But according to Lampe, these were challenges he was willing to accept, saying communication can be an issue but also a solution.
"Our first challenge was to break down state barriers and come together as one team." said Lampe. "I'm very proud of all the leaders for making this happen; it was the foundation for this deployment's success. However, two of the most complicated challenges were reducing lead time for critical aviation parts and increasing combat power to the brigade."
The responsiveness of TF Viper led to having a 93 percent operational readiness, completing more than 600 missions, transporting 11,000 passengers and providing a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) on the Iraq-Syria border to support missions against the Islamic State. According to Doty, this was accomplished by efficient processes.
"I believe that we were extremely successful because as a team we were unwilling to accept the status quo," said Doty. "Our companies and battalion staff dug into many of the processes in place when we arrived and were determined to improve in every area possible. This attitude started with the brigade leadership and was embraced at every level of the ASB."
Doty believes the relief-in-place with the 935th ASB is important because it outlines the challenges faced and allows the incoming unit the ability to array its forces and tackle problems in order to support the CAB. But he has one piece of advice.
"Never accept the status quo," said Doty. "Every single day strive to make the CAB better."
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