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And then, there was one.
The 612th Transportation Detachment (Movement Control) “Dragons” cased their unit colors April 3 at the Deployment Processing Center Kaiserslautern and entrusted them to Sgt. Sean Rockwell.
The 612th Movement Control Team is a subordinate unit of the 39th Transportation Battalion, which in turn belongs to the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 29th Support Group, scheduled to become inactive in June. It is also the 29th SG’s first unit to case its flag this year.
“The 612th is a great unit with a proven history of success. And they are among the lucky ones because they are not being deactivated; they are only returning to the Continental United States,” said Col. Robin Akin, 29th SG commander.
This is where Sergeant Rockwell comes in. As the only remaining Soldier with the 612th, he will take the flag with him when he leaves Kaiserslautern and will unfurl it on May 14 at Fort Lee, Va., where the 612th will set-up.
“It is a great honor for me to do this and I am looking forward to continue working with the same historic unit. I’ve been with them for one year and now I have been selected to belong to them for another three,” Sergeant Rockwell said.
The 612th is going downrange again in January and Sergeant Rockwell will get them ready, Colonel Akin said.
Detachment Commander 1st Lt. James Cook said the history of the 612th MCT reminds him of a great baseball team – the Florida Marlins – who only went to the World Series twice, but won both times they did.
“This unit has a storied history dating back to 1966 when they were first activated during the Vietnam War,” Lieutenant Cook said. “They participated in counteroffensive phases II-6 before eventually being deactivated in 1968.”
Lieutenant Cook explained the deactivation was followed by a dwell time that lasted 34 years.
“But in 2002, the ‘Dragons’ were called back into the fight – this time, here in Kaiserslautern – to join the Global War on Terror. Since then, they have deployed twice – once to Iraq and once to Romania,” he said.
“Now, hopefully the unit will go on and continue to do great things. Sergeant Rockwell will take this whole package of flag, history, honors and pride to the 612th MCT’s new home at Fort Lee.”
