La. Guard’s ‘Wranglers’ assume responsibility for base operations in Eastern Europe
By Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Longstreet, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
CAMP KOSCIUSZKO, Poland – The Louisiana National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 139th Regional Support Group Forward, assumed responsibility of Base Operating Support Integrator missions at eastern Europe Forward Operating Sites during a transfer of authority ceremony held at Camp Kosciuszko in Poznan, Poland, on July 11, 2024.
The Wranglers take over base command from the Arizona-based Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 198th Regional Support Group Forward, after a successful nine-month deployment in support of Operation Victory North and European Assure, Deter and Reinforce.
Presiding over the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Ollie Kingsbury, V Corps Deputy Commanding General- Maneuver, as he bid farewell to outgoing commander Col. Chad M. Abts, 198th RSG FWD commander, and his Soldiers, and welcomed incoming commander Col. Bobby J. Lee, Jr., 139th RSG FWD commander, and his Soldiers officially into theater. He also addressed both commanders during the ceremony.
“Chad, I want to give a massive thank you on behalf of all of V Corps, as well as all the troops across Europe, to you and the Soldiers of the 198th,” said Kingsbury. “A large part of these troops depended on the support of the 198th, and it is a pretty tough gig doing the RSG job spread across that much land.”
“Bobby, I just want to say welcome and thank you,” he continued. “The energy that you put into the transition, and the preparation that you and your team have been doing for the last several months since you have been mobilized is amazing. I wish you and your team the best of luck going forward.”
During the ceremony, Col. Abts and Command Sgt. Major Terry H. Thompson, 198th RSG FWD senior enlisted leader, cased the unit’s colors signifying the completion of their responsibilities for European Assure, Deter and Reinforce.
“Every day is an adventure, and this portion is coming to an end as we handoff authority to the 139th RSG, and we get to go home,” said Col. Abts. “We determined that there were six key tasks to accomplish for this end state, and I stand before you today, proudly proclaiming that you have met that end-state objective, and you’ve improved your quality of life through MWR support facilities. Thank you to all our partners for working with us and helping us figure out how to incorporate the RSG into the fight.”
Col. Lee and Command Sgt. Major Donald G. Lavalais, 139th RSG FWD senior enlisted leader, uncased the unit’s colors assuming command for BOS-I missions throughout Poland and the Baltic Region.
“The 139th is trained and ready to take over this effort and moving forward to continue to strengthen ties with our host nations and European allies,” said Col. Lee. “During this deployment, we will hold a crucial role in the European theater, and our Soldiers will perform admirably. We have a cohesive team and take care of each other. We will continue to improve our foxholes and uphold our motto ‘Support Strong.’”
The 139th RSG FWD’s mission in Europe is to conduct BOS-I responsibilities to sustain U.S. and multinational operations in support of the European Deterrence Initiatives and establishing mayor cells throughout Eastern Europe. The unit will provide basic logistical support to improve Soldier quality of life and provide friction reduction for supported tenant commanders through synchronized planning and operation of the base sites. This mobilization marks the 139th RSG’s second overseas deployment since 9/11.