U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey N. Colt, 18th Airborne Corps deputy commanding general, speaks to Soldiers from the 544th Dive Detachment, Special Troops Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade, Oct 3. Colt also toured the Atlas forklift, Kalmar, and watercraft simulation centers on base, and met with watercraft Soldiers while visiting 3rd Port. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Edwin Junior Rodriguez / Released)
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey N. Colt, 18th Airborne Corps deputy commanding general, speaks to Soldiers of the 7th Sustainment Brigade after a brigade run Oct 3. Colt came to Fort Eustis, Va., after recently becoming deputy commander, to check on the operational readiness of the brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Edwin Junior Rodriguez / Released)
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey N. Colt, 18th Airborne Corps deputy commanding general, listens to Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Larrew, first sergeant of the detachment, during a visit to the 7th Sustainment Brigade Oct 3. Colt also toured the Atlas forklift, Kalmar, and watercraft simulation centers on base, and met with watercraft Soldiers while visiting 3rd Port. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Edwin Junior Rodriguez / Released)
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey N. Colt, 18th Airborne Corps deputy commanding general, takes a tour on the pier causeway assigned to the 331st Causeway, 11th Transportation Company, 7th Sustainment Brigade Oct. 3. Colt came to Fort Eustis, Va., after recently becoming deputy commander, to check on the operational readiness of the brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Edwin Junior Rodriguez / Released)
by Sgt. Edwin Junior Rodriguez
7th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs
10/15/2012 - FORT EUSTIS, Va. -- Brigadier Gen. Jeffrey N. Colt, 18th Airborne Corps deputy commanding general visited the 7th Sustainment Brigade Oct. 3 to ensure the operational readiness of the unit.
His purpose was to see the Corps' Operational Readiness Assessment in action, which is given to units under the command and control of the 18th ABC. He also made sure he was available to meet watercraft, logistical and motor-vehicle experts in the brigade.
Colt was greeted by Col. Lawrence Kominiak and Command Sgt. Maj. Tony Escalona, the 7th Sus. Bde. commander and command sergeant major, as the three began their day before the break of dawn.
In the early morning, hundreds of Soldiers waited for the start of the brigade run, a test of the unit's ability to run four miles in under 36 minutes. The run was spear headed by Colt.
After the run, Colt explained the purpose of his visit to the "Resolute Warriors," and what is in store for the brigade's future.
"We value the 7th Sustainment Brigade at Fort Bragg. What I recognize is that you bring special talents to an Army that is trying to transform as we continue to fight for more than 10 years," said Colt.
The standard decompression chamber was one piece of Army-diver equipment on display for Colt. The chamber is used to simulate pressures above normal atmospheric pressure to better integrate divers back to normal respiration at sea level.
After a quick lunch break with the brigade staff at the Fort Eustis' Lakeside Grill, Colt headed to the Fort Eustis Simulation Center. He visited virtual battle space simulators focusing on convoy operations, Improvised Explosion Devices, and watercraft. Colt also received hands on training with the Atlas forklift and Kalmar simulators. The simulators are used by active-duty, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers for the purpose of yearly training, and for pending deployments.
Capping of Colt's visit was the tour of 3rd Port, the heart of the watercraft field. There he received detailed explanations of the capabilities of Army vessels, past and present missions, and the histories of various watercraft. He also toured a Logistics Support Vessel, Landing Craft Utility vessel, a mobile harbormaster unit with radar equipment and the causeway company.
While on board the Army Logistics Support Vessel-4, Gen. William B. Bunker, he stopped to show his gratitude to Soldiers of the 1099th Transportation Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, highlighting their importance to the corps.
"I am not sure how you chose to work on grey vessel wearing Army Combat Uniforms, but I am grateful you are. I think there is something to this specialization...doing something so unique to the Army," said Colt. "In the future we may really depend on you."
Colt ended his tour by visiting Soldiers of the 331st Causeway, 11th Transportation Battalion to learn about the ins and outs of port operations from Capt. Christina Shelton, 331st company commander. Afterwards, Col. Kominiak shared his appreciation for Colt's visit.
"From the whole team of the 7th Sustainment Brigade, we want to thank General Colt for his visit to the brigade. We hope we showed the 18th Airborne Corps the high standards this brigade places on itself."
