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NEWS | Nov. 2, 2021

Deployment Ceremony Send off for the 389th CSSB

By Staff Sgt. Dennis Glass 361st Theater Public Affairs Support Element

FORT TOTTEN, NY. - The 389th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion held a deployment ceremony Oct 15, 2021 to honor their mobilization to Kuwait in Support of Operation Spartan Shield.

Family, friends and fellow Soldiers gathered on the Fort Totten Parade field in NY as members of the command staff offered praise and words of wisdom on a beautiful Friday afternoon.

“These Soldiers have displayed mental and physical toughness,” said Col. Gregory Toth, a representative from the 316th Expeditionary Command. “The training your Soldiers have completed over the past year will ensure they achieve a successful mission, as they always do whether supporting domestic operations here at home or operating overseas.

Lt. Col Joel Buffardi, Commander of the 389th CSSB, thanked the Soldiers and family members for their support during the training and asked for continued support during the execution of the upcoming mission.

“Welcome to historic Fort Totten NY, the home and the history of the 77th Infantry Division makes its home here and we proudly wear its patch”, said Buffardi.

The 389th CSSB is part of the 77th Sustainment Brigade whose legacy draws upon the 77th Infantry Division. The 77th has an enormous history dating from World War I and World War II.

Although the 389th CSSB is no longer a divisional unit, it brings its fighting spirt to sustain the line, serve and support our Army team, as stated in a message by Buffardi.

Comments from the command were followed by Casing the Colors, a traditional ceremony that displays the unit colors or flag being properly stored prior to deployment. CSM John Hembree carried out this tradition after the command was given “Order Arms” by Maj. William Ware, commander of the troops for the ceremony.

“Our departure ceremony is in keeping with highlights of our unit’s culture and climate including our families and showcasing the standards and discipline of our Soldiers. The Soldier and NCO interaction in drill and ceremony train up for this event were instrumental in starting the positive relationships to form our NCO team’s foundation’, said Lt. Col. Buffardi in a written statement. “We are a powerful newly formed group from different parts of the US, from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and cultures that are committed to our mission success. Most importantly we are committed to each other’s success in serving honorably and returning to our family with the dignity and confidence achieved when a job is well done.”

Operation Spartan Shield is a contingency operation within Central Command’s area of responsibility. The 389th CSSB was last deployed to Afghanistan in 2015.