FORT BENNING, Ga. - The 641st Mobilization Troop Command formally ceased operations Monday during an inactivation ceremony outside Ridgway Hall.
The small unit only had 25 Soldiers but "shouldered a heavy load" for Army commitments worldwide, said LTC Illya Chisolm, its acting commander. The detachment processed and deployed more than 17,500 Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers, Department of Defense civilians and contractors while redeploying 10,078 since being stood up on Fort Benning in May 2004.
In the past 14 months, the 641st MTC readied about 7,500 Soldiers for deployment and handled another 5,000 returning from downrange locales, he said.
"It's a great group of professionals," Chisolm said. "They accomplished their mission and did it in a very professional and first-class way."
The 641st MTC was responsible for preparing and processing specialized units and individual replacement Soldiers and DoD personnel headed to and returning from Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and other strategic spots around the globe. He said the mission will continue through Fort Benning's CONUS Replacement Center.
COL Thomas Macdonald, the garrison commander, said the 641st performed a function that was unique - not only to Fort Benning but the Army as well.
"No other unit in the Army had the responsibility to process, transport and care for Reserve and National Guard individual-unit replacements," he said. "But it's more than the uniqueness of the unit that sets these Soldiers apart. It's how they did their mission ... It meant late nights and long weeks, but that's what it took to get it done. It's about taking care of Soldiers."
Chisolm, who's also chief of current operations for the 1st Army, said he spent the past four months here with the detachment.
A typical workday for the Soldiers started at 4:30 a.m. and ended around 8 p.m., he said. Weekends were especially hectic as the 641st MTC picked up separate groups for in-processing, transport and deployment, and returns every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Each rotation numbered between 70 and 160 personnel.
"These Soldiers have done a magnificent job in supporting the United States Army and Fort Benning's mission," Chisolm said. "It's a one-of-a-kind unit that did what they did ... in an outstanding manner."
The 1st Army will retain six other MTCs throughout the United States, he said. Monday's inactivation is part of an effort to streamline operations here since individuals will still be funneled through the CRC.
"The Army is consolidating like units with like functions, really trying to consolidate them all, instead of having more than one on a particular installation that are essentially accomplishing the same mission," Chisolm said.
During its six-year stint, the MTC trained and deployed unique specialty units with distinct skill sets and military and civilian advisory teams to Central Command's area of responsibility.
Last summer, the 641st prepared the 14th Combat Support Hospital for its yearlong Iraq deployment, Macdonald said. It customized a training program to get the 147 doctors and health specialists qualified on their weapons.
"Your mission and Herculean efforts made a real difference in the success of our Army," Macdonald told the detachment. "Thank you for your support contributions, your sacrifices and your service in this time of persistent conflict."
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