November 5, 2016 –
LAS VEGAS – The 3rd Congressional District of Nevada’s congressman, Congressman Joseph John Heck, who is also a brigadier general in the U.S. Army Reserves, joined Brig. Gen. David E. Elwell, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command commanding general, and traveled to Las Vegas to support Lt. Col. Kevin O. McKenzie, 314th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Mario Canizales, 314th CSSB command sergeant major, at the Nevada National Guard Armory for a deployment ceremony November 5.
The 314th CSSB will be deploying to Iraq for Operation Inherent Resolve to support war fighters in that area of operation and provide mission command as it operates logistics hubs of supply, transportation and maintenance support.
Special guests included Col. Jon Hewitt, 311th ESC deputy commander, Col. Toni A. Glover, 650th Regional Support Group commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Grady Blue, 311th ESC command sergeant major, and Command Sgt. Maj. Ted Copeland, 79th Sustainment Support Command command sergeant major.
“One of the great honors and privileges in my life is to serve in the Army Reserve and I want to personally thank you for your service,” Heck said to the deploying troops. “You are two percent of our citizenry and the last, best hope for the world, and you are the best that our country has to offer.”
With standing room only, more than three hundred fellow troops, friends, families and crying babies filled the drill hall to give their love ones a proper send off.
It should be remembered that the United States is still sending American service members into harm’s way and that these troops will be serving their country will honor.
On a beautiful Nevada day, the weather was perfect as the sunny day welcomed hundreds of family members who came to bid their love ones’ farewell and good luck.
“I’m glad that the congressman is here because he is one of us and he understands the sacrifice and hardship that a Soldier’s family has to endure,” said Elwell. “I have always told you to be prepared when the president calls and today is that day. I also want to thank your love ones for the sacrifice that they make.”
Operation Inherent Resolve is the U.S. military's operational name for the military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, including both the campaign in Iraq and the campaign in Syria.
McKenzie, who is a seasoned leader and professional, has already deployed and will lead 66 Soldiers on this deployment to Iraq, where they will support the Operation Inherent Resolve mission. In his remarks, he assured the family members that he would take good care of their love ones and looked forward to the redeployment ceremony.
The mission of the 314th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion is to provide mission command of all assigned and attached units of the Combat Sustainment Support Battalion as it operates logistics hubs of supply, transportation, and maintenance support to the Sustainment Brigade and supported Brigade Combat Teams.