240th QMSC Soldiers deploy to Afghanistan

By Spc. Kevin Alex, 16th Sust. Bde. Public AffairsDecember 20, 2010

240th QMSC Soldiers deploy to Afghanistan
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
240th QMSC Soldiers deploy to Afghanistan
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Cheryl Foston, the commander of the 240th Quartermaster Supply Company, and 1st Sgt. Christopher C. Armstrong, the first sergeant of the 240th QMSC, case the company guidon during a ceremony at the Basics Building in Bamberg, Germany, Dec. 3. T... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAMBERG, Germany - The casing of the guidon is a time-honored tradition that signifies a unit leaving one duty post and embarking on another mission elsewhere.

The 240th Quartermaster Supply Company, 391st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, did just that during a ceremony here Dec. 3 before deploying to Afghanistan Dec. 6.

While waiting for their plane out of Germany, thoughts of family and what was to come in the months ahead were on the Soldiers' minds.

Spc. Christopher Brown, an automated logistical specialist with the 240th QMSC, said he already is thinking about his family.

"I already miss them. My son made me cry this morning; when we were getting on the bus to come here he asked me, 'Dad, you want to come home and play video games with me for a little bit'' That was the worst thing," Brown said.

Just because the Soldiers were starting to get homesick doesn't mean they weren't prepared for what is to come on the mission ahead.

"Of course, you see all these documentaries and hear what can happen when you get complacent and it really puts you on 10, makes you really pay attention," Spc. Jiovanni Castillo, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 240th QMSC.

"I know I've got my battle buddies with me and they are funny," said Castillo. "We're always cracking jokes; that's just how we pass the time, and I know that our (noncommissioned officers) have our backs. As long as you know you have strong leaders, that's all you really need."

The junior enlisted Soldiers were not the only ones who wanted to express their thoughts about a time like this. The leadership has strong feelings for the Soldiers under their command.

"I am very proud of each and every one of the Soldiers for what they stand for and, most of all, for their service to our nation," said Lt. Col. C. Scott Luekenga, the 391st CSSB commander. "I have the utmost confidence in the leadership, from the squad leaders to the company command team.

"The first sergeant and I, along with the senior leadership, have prepared the 240th QMSC for every task at hand," said Capt. Cheryl Foston, the company commander. "I'm extremely proud of them for their hard work and efforts over the last six months. It has been hard and challenging along the way, and I'm just proud of them all for helping the first sergeant and myself out to get the task accomplished."

"The long hours you have spent in Hohenfels and Grafenwoehr will keep you safe and able to accomplish your mission throughout the toughest of times. We honor you and wish you the very best," said Luekenga. "Each level of the leadership is fully committed to the Soldiers and Families and will ensure that the rock family will be taken care of throughout the deployment."