405th AFSB realigns support team

The 405th Army Field Support Brigade transferred command and control of the 170th Heavy Brigade Combat Team Brigade Logistics Support Team from the 405th AFSB’s 1st Battalion in Kaiserslautern to 2nd Battalion in Vilseck May 2. The transfer will assist the brigade in supporting U.S. Army Europe’s Army Force Generation while also meeting the requirements of the brigade commander’s concept plan.

“Nothing will change for the BLST,” said Lt. Col. James Kennedy, the commander of the 1st Bn., 405th AFSB. “They will maintain the same personnel at Baumholder to continue support to the unit as they prepare for future missions. The BLST performed exceptionally well during the recent reset operations and will continue that support under 2nd Battalion.”

The transfer, which involved a great deal of paperwork, was detailed, but the battalions worked diligently to ensure that the BLST received full support during the transition.

“I’m very pleased that the transfer between our battalions was transparent to both the unit and the BLST during the transition,” said Col. John Haley, 405th AFSB commander. “As a commander, I believe that it was imperative that the unit continued to receive the high level of support that they expect from the BLST, and our team accomplished that.”

The commander of the 2nd Battalion looks forward to bringing to BLST into his area of operations.

“Our battalion is thrilled that the BLST will become a permanent part of our workforce,” said Lt. Col. Morris Hatcher, the commander of the 2nd Bn., 405th AFSB. “We look forward to continuing the excellent work begun at 1st Battalion and building a strong relationship with the 170th HBCT.”

The BLST transfer is part of Colonel Haley’s vision for the future concept of the brigade.

“Our concept plan will eventually place all of our BLSTs throughout Europe under the command and control of our battalion in Vilseck,” Colonel Haley said. “This will give 2nd Battalion the capability of a full expeditionary logistics assistance program battalion while continuing 1st Battalion’s transformation to the theater sustainment base to provide left behind equipment, materiel staging and fielding and support other missions in theater.”

The 405th AFSB is responsible for all U.S. Army Materiel Command activities in the European theater, including logistics support to theater unit.