Features

2Lt. Mackenzie Kearns makes History in Antwerp

Story and photo by Maj. Vonnie Wright
21st Theater Sustainment Command
August 19, 2022
2nd Lt. Mackenzie Kearns, mobility officer, 260th Movement Control Team, 39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade stands in front of a line of a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle from 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division July 22 on the port of Antwerp-Bruge as she prepares to move over 3,000 pieces of equipment within Europe for the largest onward movement operation at this port. The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy approximately 4,200 Soldiers to replace the 1st Armored Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. The ability to rapidly surge combat-ready forces into and across the theater is critical to projecting forces at a moment’s notice to support the alliance.

Name: 2nd Lt. Mackenzie Kearns

Unit: 260th Movement Control Team, 39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command

Branch: Transportation Corps

Hometown: Bedford, NH

Source of Commission: Army Reserve Officer Training Corps at Penn State.

2nd Lt. Mackenzie Kearns is a new mobility officer assigned to the 260th Movement Control Team, 39th Transportation Battalion, and is leading the largest onward movement operation at the port of Antwerp-Brugge in 21st Theater Sustainment Command history. Kearns has been in the unit for only one week and has already learned a lot from her new family within the 16th Sustainment Brigade.

“I’m so new, it’s personal pride to see my growth learning on the job with these amazing Soldiers,” said Kearns. “I never knew I’d learn so much from my Soldiers and I’m so proud of them. They’ve been phenomenal.”

Outside of the largest onward movement mission conducted at this port in Antwerp-Brugge, in her single week within this job, she’s conducted one port operation and one commercial line haul.

Kearns loves her job in the Army and has future plans of attending medical school once her contract is complete.

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