JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - The 330th Transportation Battalion from Fort Bragg, N.C., conducted a transfer of authority with the 49th Trans. Bn., out of Fort Hood, Texas, during a transfer of authority ceremony here May 16.
For the past 15 months, the 330th Trans. Bn. provided logistics and distribution management across Iraq.
"Our troopers came trained and ready to meet the challenges that were before them, some for the first time others we've lost count on their number of deployments," said Col. Ronald J. Ross, the 330th Trans. Bn. commander "They are leaving here knowing that they made a difference and it's worth the long 15 months and it's all going to be worth it on the way home."
Since arriving in theater, the "Heart of the Dragon" has processed more than 420,000 short tons of supplies, 250,000 pallets of cargo, and 210,000 standing transportation movement releases. They have tracked more than 10,000 air movement requests, 53,000 transportation movement releases, more than 550,000 passengers and more than 34,000 convoys. They have distributed more than 800 million gallons of fuel, 8,300 short tons of class five supplies and $2.2 billion of class nine supplies. They have processed more than 600 end of tour service awards.
"At no time in our history have we ever moved this much cargo," said Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) commanding general and guest speaker during the ceremony.
"They revamped and upgraded our convoy support center concept into an efficient operation that supported convoys with a one-stop shop principle," Lally said. "The successes (they) created with the convoys support center resulted in fewer over nights, better intelligence, better support to our convoys and I'm confident that it saved lives."
The incoming unit will also take over the 330th Trans. Bn.'s command of 20 movement control teams spread throughout Iraq.
"We built a great team back at Fort Hood and trained hard in anticipation for this deployment and we are excited to finally take on this mission," said Lt. Col. Peter M. Haas, the 49th Trans. Bn. commander.
"Clearly our first priority is accomplishment of our mission, our movement control and our highway regulation missions and uninterrupted support to the combat forces in theater," said Haas.
The official party consisted of Ross, Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin A. McKeller, the senior enlisted member of the 330th Trans. Bn., Haas, Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph L. Bivens, the senior enlisted member of the 49th Trans. Bn., Lally, and Command Sgt. Maj. Willie C. Tennant, the senior enlisted member of the 3d ESC.
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