February 22, 2013
Kaiserslautern American
Page 7
Movement control team cases colors, deploys to Afghanistan by 1st Lt. Chaz Deering 39th Movement Control Battalion Public Affairs Soldiers and family members of the 635th Movement Control Team of the 39th Transportation Battalion, 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 16th Sustainment Brigade, gathered to witness the unit’s casing ceremony Jan. 28 at Rhine Ordnance Barracks. “Upon the eve of this deployment, I see in the eyes of our Soldiers the whole spectrum of emotions from excitement, to resignation to uncertainty,” said Lt. Col. Michael S. Knapp, commander of the 39th Trans. Bn. “These emotions are constant and cyclical during a deployment; however, I also see determination, spirit and the warrior ethos in these Soldiers.” A casing ceremony takes place before a unit deploys in support of war or contingency operations. The commander and senior NCO roll the flag and place it in a case, symbolizing the colors and the Soldiers it represents are being moved from home station to a deployed location. The colors will be removed from their case and
unfurled, once the unit is in place and has assumed its designated mission. The 635th MCT deployed several days later to three locations in Afghanistan, including Bagram Airfield, Camp Phoenix and Kabul International Airfield. The 19 Soldiers provide movement control for rotary aircraft and vehicle and equipment intransit tracking. They conduct most missions in coordination with the Air Force to ensure all proper regulations are followed, said 2nd Lt. Christopher Deines, 635th MCT executive officer. “The Soldiers are settled in, accomplishing the mission, and spirits are high,” Deines said. “They are sustaining the force here in Afghanistan and making sure that Soldiers and other service members have what they need when they need it.” The Soldiers from the “Keep it Moving” team will remain in Afghanistan for a nine-month tour. They will see the most air movement coming in and out of Afghanistan to include passengers deploying and redeploying, equipment coming in for
Photo by LeRoy W. Seabrook II
Capt. Raymond Beard (left), commander of the 635th Movement Control Team, and Sgt. 1st Class Easter Dingle, detachment first sergeant, prepare to case their unit’s colors Jan. 28 on Rhine Ordnance Barracks.
support or moving out for retrograde operations. The 635th MCT is no stranger to the war effort. Since 2001, the 635th MCT has deployed five times in support of both operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Their most recent deployment from 2010 to 2011 was in
support of Operation New Dawn. “The ‘Keep it Moving’ team will be here, and we will accomplish our mission,” said Capt. Raymond Beard, 635th MCT commander. “Our Soldiers are trained and prepared to perform the vital sustainment mission which they have been tasked with.”
Garrison marks 2013 National Prayer Breakfast the crash and a Japanese prison camp, where he was beaten daily. After World War II, Zamperini returned to Japan to forgive his forSoldiers at U.S. Army mer captors. In 1988, before Garrison Kaiserslautern the winter Olympics, he carcommemorated the 60th ried the Olympic torch past Anniversary of the National Nagano, where he was Prayer Breakfast this year imprisoned. at Vogelweh’s Armstrong’s Zamperini credited Club. prayers, his own and his U.S. units in the KMC mother’s, for his safe return regularly hold such events in and for getting him through early February. Guest speakvery dark and troubling er for this year’s event was times when everyone else Chaplain (Col.) Christopher had given him up for dead, Wisdom, chaplain for Wisdom said. Installation Management “What he found out, what Command, Europe. his mother found out, is Wisdom recalled how 70 that prayer can strengthen years ago the troop ship USS you, prayer can assist you Dorchester was sunk. Four Col. Christopher Wisdom, chaplain for Installation Management Command-Europe, speaks at the Feb. 5 National Prayer and prayer can help you,” U.S. Army chaplains gave Breakfast on Vogelweh. Wisdom said. away their life preservers to others and died with breakfasts, designed as forums for political, social Faith and prayer can also help Soldiers maintain their arms linked in prayer as the ship sank. and business leaders to gather together. Army values and find strength in adverse condi“These are the kinds of people we gather to celDuring his talk, Wisdom asked the crowd, “Is tions. ebrate today,” Wisdom said. “They were praying praying as necessary as the breath of life to you? “The time comes, as it has for many of us, people.” Or, is it something that only comes hard and in hard when selfless service must give way to personal In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower attend- times?” courage and loyalty.” Wisdom said. “You and I ed the first event — what would become known by Wisdom spoke of 1st Lt. Louis Zamperini, a do not have the power to maintain those values 1970 as the National Prayer Breakfast. Since then, former Olympic runner whose B-24 Liberator was perfectly, perpetually and permanently. We need national state and municipal organizations hold shot down in 1943 over the Pacific. He survived prayer.” Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class John S. Wollaston U.S. Army NATO Brigade