49th Group Cites Seamless Transfer to 3rd ESC

By Kimberly Fritz, Fort Lee Public AffairsJanuary 13, 2010

FORT LEE, Va. (Jan. 14, 2010) -- On Nov. 16, 2009, the 49th Quartermaster Group performed a transfer of authority from the 101st Airborne to the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

The 3rd ESC is based at Fort Knox, Ky. Its lineage began as the 3rd Logistical Command, which was activated in Japan on Sept. 19, 1950, for service in Korea.

"It was a seamless transfer," said Command Sgt. Maj. James E. Simms, 49th QM Group command sergeant major. "From the type of leadership we were under to the new leadership we have, both commands welcomed us the same. They provide all of the oversight and resources that we as the only Forces Command unit on Fort Lee need."

Simms said the biggest change since the transfer was relabeling equipment. "For day-to-day operations, it was business as usual," he said.

The 49th QM Group commander, Col. M.C. Stephen Cherry, recently received a token of appreciation from the 101st Airborne Division presented by Brig. Gen. Warren E. Phipps, 101st Airborne Division, deputy commanding general for support. The memento, a framed 2.5-by-6 photograph, was presented on behalf of the division commanding general Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell and Command Sgt. Major Vincent F. Camacho, 101st Airborne Division command sergeant major. The photo depicting all of the units in the 101st Airborne Div., including the 49th QM Group, was taken July 31, 2009, during the division change of command ceremony at Fort Campbell, Ky.

Phipps arrived at Fort Lee for a brief visit and to thank Cherry and the group for their great work. He told the command group gathered that a calvary is not judged by the mount one rides, but what is in their heart.

"I'll be honest with you, it's not always the patch on your shoulder that makes the difference, it is what is inside," Phipps said. "You guys are going to carry forward and do great things. You have a great spirit and a great command team. There is no doubt in my mind that on some battlefield one day we will all link up. We will again be a band of brothers."