45th SB deploys to take over CMRE mission in Afghanistan

News Release from Schofield Barracks, May 13, 2014

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - More than 100 Soldiers from the 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, cased their unit's colors during a deployment ceremony today, as they prepare to depart for Kandahar, Afghanistan, to support of the Central Command's Materiel Recovery Element mission.

"This deployment is consistent with the long line of outstanding combat performances of the many Soldiers that have fought under these colors in the past going back to World War II," said Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, commander of the 8th TSC.

The 45th will be the sole brigade dedicated to the CENTCOM Materiel Recovery Element or CMRE in Afghanistan. The CMRE mission focuses on tracking, sorting and recovering Army equipment from across Afghanistan, a country the size of Texas."

Upon arrival, they will assume command over two engineer battalions, one combat sustainment support battalion, and the responsibility for the performance oversight of a wide range of contractor support," Lyons said. "In addition they will be the lead coordination element for the synchronization of strategic providers like the U.S. Transportation Command, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Army Materiel Command, and many others."

It adds to the unit's deployment legacy. Previous deployments placed the 45th at the forefront of sustainment capabilities, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009 and 2012, and providing support to multiple combat units through human resources, transportation, and supply.

"This is a very historic mission for our Army," said Col. Gregory Boyd, commander of the 45th Sustainment Bde. "We are responsible for completing operations on all Operation Enduring Freedom sites before the theater transitions to the Resolute Support Mission post-2014."

Lyons said, "This mission requires adaptive, innovative, resilient Soldiers, as well as committed, competent leaders of character. Fortunately, these traits are consistent with the reputation of the 45th Sustainment Brigade."

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