Mission complete for 184th | News

The Mississippi Army National Guard’s 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command – made of 250 Soldiers mostly from Mississippi -- is concluding a mobilization and deployment to Afghanistan that started in August 2010.

Upon assuming responsibility of Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan on Oct. 17, the 184th ESC, headquartered in Laurel, had more Soldiers placed under its headquarters than any unit ever deployed overseas from the state of Mississippi -- and a native of Clinton, Brig. Gen. Philip R. Fisher, was its commander.

“I’m extremely proud of these Soldiers and the work they’ve accomplished.  They have been part of an unprecedented moment in both our nation’s history and the history of military logistics.  Their sacrifices and performance were critical to the accomplishment of our mission and contributing to a sovereign, stable and safer Afghanistan.  As a result of their hard work, the sustainment foundation has been laid for the surge recovery of 33,000 troops as outlined by the president,” Fisher said.

Monday, Fisher saluted his command’s colors, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey L. Riggs, from Vicksburg, for the last time before they cased it in front of their unit’s soldiers.

The command’s colors were cased to signify the end of their mission in Afghanistan during a transfer-of-authority ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, according to a press release.

The joint sustainment command was made up of more than 43,000 Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors and civilians that transformed the way logistical support was delivered throughout the country, according to the press release. 

The 184th ESC directed sustainment operations in Afghanistan for all U.S. and coalition forces. The unit serves as the headquarters for Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan and was responsible for managing and directing the flow of equipment, supplies and personnel resources for more than 100,000 service members and civilians, according to the press release.

The 184th ESC orchestrated and controlled all sustainment operations through the air, on the ground and by sea.  The logistics mission included the delivery of more than 413.3 million gallons of fuel, 25.9 million pounds of ammunition, 42.7 million pounds of mail and more than 109.5 million meals.

Several other Soldiers who call Hinds County home will also be returning: Maj. Richard Bennett, Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Burr, Maj. Laketter Cannon, 1st Lt. Hermon Cotton, Brig. Gen. Philip Fisher, Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Goodwin, Sgt. 1st Class Mark Graves, Sgt. David Grayson, 1st Lt. Rodney Hall, Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Hardigree, Lt. Col. David Jolly, Sgt. Maj. Aaron Martin, Lt. Col. Craig Thompson, Sgt. 1st Class Reginald Thompson, Lt. Col. Edward Waller, and Maj. Robert Watras.

While the majority of the unit members are from Mississippi, 20 of the Soldiers will be returning to their respective homes in Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.

Visit your In Your Community page to see if Soldiers from your area will be coming home with the 184th ESC.