Wichita unit rises to the challenges of Kuwait

About 90 days into its nine-month deployment, the 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command is accustomed to the heat of Kuwait – about 20 degrees hotter than in Wichita, on average.

More importantly, said its commander, Brig. Gen. Bruce Hackett, when the 451st assumed responsibility for U.S. Army logistics in the Middle East this spring, it was “one of the smoothest and seamless transfers of authority I’ve ever been a part of.”

“The rate at which 451st ESC soldiers took charge and ownership of their tasks in theater was noticed by all of the organizations we support,” Hackett said in an e-mailed response to questions. “Our soldiers and junior leaders continue to outperform expectations, and we couldn’t be more pleased.”

The 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command is an Army Reserve unit deployed overseas for the first time since its reactivation in Wichita five years ago.

The soldiers in the unit are called “sustainers,” responsible for logistical support for U.S. Army operations throughout the Army’s Central Command region.

As part of that job, it is advising and assisting the Iraqi Army as well as other allies in the region fighting against aggressors such as the Islamic State, the Taliban and al-Qaida.

Before the 451st took over, the San Antonio-based 4th Expeditionary Sustainment Command helped get the Wichita soldiers up to speed on what was happening in the theater, Hackett said.

“We took the lessons they learned over their nine-month deployment and immediately began applying them to our daily tasks,” Hackett said. “As the days and weeks began to pass, we quickly began mastering the skills needed to be successful in a deployed environment.”

Recently, one of the soldiers in the unit, Spc. Dallen Rodman – whom The Eagle profiled in February – was runner-up in a “Soldier of the Year” competition in the U.S. Army Central Command.

The soldiers in the unit have been running 5K and 10K races as well as participating in weightlifting challenges at Camp Arifjan to keep morale up, Hackett said.

Sometimes they venture into nearby Kuwait City “to experience the local culture,” Hackett said.

“The job the 451st ESC has here is very demanding, and our soldiers work very hard with many long hours. But, they also have opportunities to relax and have some fun,” Hackett said.

Hackett said he is certain the unit will be able to meet any challenges it encounters during the remaining six months of its deployment.

“I can say with full confidence that our soldiers have the experience and skills needed to succeed at any challenging mission that comes our way,” Hackett said. “Every day we learn something new that we can use toward future events.

“And as the 4th ESC passed their knowledge to us when we arrived in theater, we’ll do the same for the 316th ESC when they replace us at the end of the year.”

This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Wichita unit rises to the challenges of Kuwait."