3rd ESC relinquishes JSC-A Command to 311th Sustainment

By STAFF SGT. CANDICE FUNCHESS
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)
The 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) officially relinquished command of the Joint Sustainment Command—Afghanistan during a transfer of authority at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan Saturday.
The 3rd ESC based at Fort Knox, handed the operations of the JSC-A over to the 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), commanded by Brig. Gen. Scottie Carpenter headquartered in Los Angeles.
During the past nine months, the Sustainers were the senior logisticians in theater and were responsible for all logistics operations in the Combined Joint Operational Area of Afghanistan. The transfer of authority signifies the completion of the 3rd ESC’s mission as the headquarters element of the JSC-A.
Reviewing the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Kurt Stein, commanding general of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, spoke about 3rd ESC’s accomplishments.
“Your accomplishments during your deployment have been numerous, and if I went through them all, you’d be here all day,” said Stein. “But I’d like to highlight a few of your more notable achievements.”
Stein went on to mention the 1.2 million gallons of fuel, 5,000 air drop bundles and the more than19,000
pounds of mail all delivered by Soldiers within the 3rd ESC. He ended his
speech with a “thank you” to the 3rd ESC Soldiers and a welcome to the 311th ESC Soldiers.
Brig. Gen Kristin French, commanding general of the 3rd ESC, took the podium and, as a true logistician, spoke of the war fighter sustainment mission by quoting retired Lt. Gen. Gus Pagonis, “Every war that was ever lost, every war that was ever won, was because of logistics.”
French continued her speech, as the outgoing commander of the JSC-A, by thanking the subordinate formations for their dedication to the mission and continued support.
In closing, French said, “I would be remiss not to mention our Families and friends back home, anxiously awaiting our return.” Calling the Families, “our unsung heroes.” She went on to thank the rear detachment personnel, Family readiness group and the volunteers.
With the transfer of authority now complete, the Soldiers of the 3rd ESC look forward to their next mission— returning to Fort Knox and reintegrating with their Families.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Candice Funchess, 3rd ESC PAO

Brig. Gen. KristIn French, commanding general of the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and Command Sgt. Maj. Karl Roberts, senior enlisted advisor of the 3rd ESC, cased the colors during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, Saturday.

Photo by Sgt. Candice Funchess, 3rd ESC PAO

The 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) officially relinquished command of the Joint Sustainment Command — Afghanistan during a Transfer of Authority at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, Saturday.