U.S. Army Reserves Colonel Michael Mann was set to deploy to Kuwait in January of 2009, when his command received a last minute change of mission.
Instead the Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC), where Mann served as Deputy Commander, was sent into Afghanistan into an “intensely challenging theater of combat operations,” Mann’s award citation narrative states.
Mann earned a Bronze Star for his service during the 12 month deployment.
As the first ESC to deploy to the this area of operation in Afghanistan, Mann and his fellow soldiers were responsible for the Command and Control of more than 3,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Civilians. And they planned and executed full spectrum logistics support throughout the area of operations.
Upon his arrival in Afghanistan, there were no operational logistics practices in place, his award citation narrative states. But working to implement their principles of “anticipation, responsiveness, simplicity, economy, survivability, and improvisation,” according to the narrative, they were able to make “huge strides” in establishing and maintaining operations.
The command inherited the daunting task of conducting logistics support of ongoing combat operations while planning and organizing rapid theater expansion in support of more than 20,000 arriving US service members representing an increase to fifteen combat and combat support brigades in 2009. And their work environment upon arrival was truly expeditionary. There were virtually no work stations, communication equipment, or computers, which are the critical tools that the 300-man unit uses to function. Over the first few weeks the personnel worked to establish this infrastructure. The temperature in their tents at times exceeded 100 degrees. But the command also played a leading role in constructing eight new Forward Operating Bases and planning for the 2010 surge of an additional 30,000 US forces across Afghanistan.
“Unit personnel proceeded to construct the headquarters while at the same time the unit was operating full speed to sustain US forces,” the narrative states.
Deputy Commander General, Mann was “fully engaged in supporting virtually every aspect of the Commanding General’s successful efforts to command and control the 4,300 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, [and] Civilians in the command, as well as ensuring the health, welfare, safety of these personnel.
” But it was Mann’s leadership that contributed so much to these successes, the narrative states.
Mann was known for mentoring and guiding the staff, which was key to the unit’s success.
Mann led the senior leadership team, he routinely promoted personnel changes to improve unit operations. He played a large role in leading the pre-deployment training, as well.
“COL Mann’s leadership and performance in executing full-spectrum sustainment operations greatly assisted in the unmitigated success of the US mission in Afghanistan,” the narrative states.
Article Source: Hero of the Week
