JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (Jan. 20, 2022) -- Leaders from the 918th Contracting Battalion cased their organizational colors during a ceremony Jan. 12 at Fort Carson, Colorado, for a forthcoming deployment to Romania in support of Operation Assure, Deter and Reinforce.
Lt. Col. Amy Saal and Sgt. Maj. Angel Del Valle cased the colors before a crowd of fellow Soldiers, members of Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Carson, family and friends at the ceremony as well as broadcast virtually for MICC and Army Contracting Command leaders.
Saal, the 918th CBN commander and director of MICC-Fort Carson, recognized the achievements of the battalion’s detachments during operations in 2022 at the ceremony.
“Our headquarters is about to embark on another journey and add to the lineage of the 918th Contracting Battalion, continuing the unit’s proud history of service to our nation,” she said. “Just this past calendar year, we welcomed back all of our contracting detachments from supporting operations overseas. As the battalion prepares to depart on this bittersweet occasion, I couldn’t be prouder of the team we have assembled here. Their professional accomplishments stand alone. It is truly and honor and a privilege to serve as your leader, and I look forward to overcoming the challenges and adversity that lie ahead together as a team.”
She also took the opportunity the recognize Soldiers remaining behind to serve as the rear detachment as well as civilians who make up MICC-Fort Carson.
“I’m constantly amazed at your continued perseverance and dedication to both our mission partners and this organization,” Saal said. “Continue all the great work you execute daily in support of the installation and the warfighter. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and do not go unnoticed.”
In addition to providing operational and contingency contracting support, the 918th CBN while in garrison along with MICC-Fort Carson is aligned to provide contracting support for the 4th Infantry Division headquarters, Installation Management Command, 10th Special Forces Group, 407th Army Field Support Battalion and other tenant units on Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado. The battalion is subordinate to the 418th Contracting Support Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas.
Saal concluded her remarks by expressing her gratitude to the families of those deploying to Europe for their sacrifices and serving as the driving force behind the Soldiers’ support of the Army and this mission.
Defense officials announced in February 2022 the deployment of 3,000 personnel to Romania, Poland and Germany as part of America's commitment to the defense of NATO allies during a buildup of Russian forces along the border of Ukraine. The ensuing invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces led to increased support by the Defense Department over the months that followed. This included the deployment of MICC contracting Soldiers from the 923rd CBN in August to Romania in support of European allies and partners. Members of the 918th CBN will assume the contingency contracting mission from the 923rd CBN during a transfer of authority ceremony in the coming days.
About the MICC
Headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the Mission and Installation Contracting Command consists of about 1,300 military and civilian members who are responsible for contracting goods and services in support of Soldiers as well as readying trained contracting units for the operating force and contingency environment when called upon. As part of its mission, MICC contracts are vital in feeding more than 200,000 Soldiers every day, providing many daily base operations support services at installations, facilitate training in the preparation of more than 100,000 conventional force members annually, training more than 500,000 students each year, and maintaining more than 14.4 million acres of land and 170,000 structures.
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