264th CSSB Soldiers replace 391st CSSB

By Spc. Larry Wesley
Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 264th CSSB

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq — The 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. Steven S. Debusk, officially took the reins from the 391st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. Ronald E. Pacheco, during a transfer of authority ceremony at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, May 25, 2009.

Based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., the 264th CSSB is now a subordinate unit of the 16th Sustainment Brigade, which is headquartered at Bamberg, Germany. During the ceremony, Debusk outlined his battalion’s purpose for the next 12 months.

“Our mission over the next year will be monumental,” Debusk said. “While the timing is somewhat indefinite at this point it is clear to me that we will play a pivotal role in the strategic repositioning of coalition forces over the next 12 months.”

Debusk noted that in order to accomplish this mission, the battalion’s Soldiers must be “forward leaning, agile and innovative in our thinking, always keeping the end state in mind.” “We must be comfortable with uncertainty and capable of bringing order to chaos,” he said.

For the deployment, Debusk summarized his keys for victory by stating, “For you at the company level discipline, adherence to standards and maintenance of basic Soldier skills will be the signature characteristics that will define success.” He asked the battalion to raise the bar and to double its vigilance and dedication as professional Soldiers. He also encouraged leadership to guard against complacency, citing that “complacency might be our greatest threat.”

Before finishing his speech, Debusk applauded what Pacheco and his staff had accomplished while deployed.

“You have done your duty well and can depart in good conscience knowing that these Soldiers will be cared for and we will continue to run the ball down the field,” said Debusk.

While deployed, 391st CSSB convoys traveled 2,159,347 miles, completing 1,200 missions. Additionally, the 391st conducted 15 Nonlethal Force Engagements consisting of humanitarian missions that are designed to improve relations between Iraqi citizens and Coalition forces around Tikrit.

The transfer of authority ceremony was held on Memorial Day, a time that commemorates those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Debusk expressed the importance in not forgetting those past warriors who came before us.

“We owe it to them, we owe it to each other, and we owe it to our families to maintain an offensive mindset,” he said. “I’d ask that you redouble your vigilance and dedication as professional Soldiers.”

The 264th CSSB looks forward to the challenges ahead and is poised to embark on this monumental time in history as Coalition Forces begin the draw down process.