BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN, Nov. 6, 2019 — Authority for the NATO Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade was transferred from 1st Infantry Division to 1st Armored Division at a ceremony on Bagram Airfield Nov. 1, 2019.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John P. Sullivan, commanding general of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC), oversaw the transfer of authority from Col. Brian S. Olson, commander, 1st Sustainment Brigade Commander, to Col. Ronnie D. Anderson, commander, 1st Armored Division Sustainment Brigade.
“What you do every day here is no easy task, even for the best logisticians,” Sullivan said. “Looking upon these proud formations standing before us, I am mindful of that and the selfless service and dedication that is required to enable mission success across the CENTCOM (area of responsibility) and most especially here in Afghanistan.”
Under the supervision of the 1st Infantry Division, the RSSB was responsible for the delivery, storage and distribution of more than 180 million gallons of aviation fuel and the management of more than 50 million rounds of ammunition at ammunition supply points around Afghanistan. The brigade also supervised 75,000 sorties which transported over 120,000 passengers and conducted over 3,000 sling load missions across the country.
“We are still a phone call away from anything they need, whatever they need, to sustain the warfighter,” Olson said. “And it is awesome.”
As commander of the 1st ID RSSB, Olson oversaw full-spectrum logistics and personnel service and provided command over five battalions and a Defense Logistics Agency Support Team, consisting of more than 10,000 soldiers, Department of Defense civilians and contractors.
While the 1st ID was supporting RSSB missions throughout the Combined Joint Operations Area – Afghanistan, the “Muleskinners” were preparing for the mission ahead.
“The Muleskinners and our teammates have been studying, training, rehearsing, and preparing to make a difference in this fight for over a year now,” Anderson said. “We are committed to our teammates and the first Muleskinner imperative: to make the team successful.”
Anderson most recently served as Chief, Strategic Operations and Plans, Commander’s Initiatives Group, 1st TSC, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, in support of Operations Resolute Support, Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield.
Resolute Support is a NATO-led, non-combat mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, the security-related ministries, the country’s institutions, and among the senior ranks of the army and police.
The 1st Armored Division Sustainment Brigade, based at Fort Bliss, Texas, will redeploy late summer 2021.
