Col. Ronald R. Ragin addresses his Soldiers for the first time after assuming command of the newly redesignated 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, during a ceremony at the Special Events Center July 9, 2015. (Photo by Sgt. Benjamin Kullman)
By Sgt. Benjamin Kullman
4th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Soldiers assigned to the 43rd Sustainment Brigade assembled before Col. Anthony K. Whitson for one final formation at the Special Events Center (SEC) July 9, 2015.
Whitson relinquished command of Fort Carson’s 43rd SB to Col. Ronald R. Ragin in a ceremony officiated by Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, which also redesignated the unit as the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Inf. Div.
Ragin previously served as commander, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment (Delta), at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Whitson will assume the responsibility as the U.S. Army Materiel Command chief of staff at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
“It is with both great humility and excitement that I assume command of the 4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade,” Ragin said. “As a member of the Army team for over 20 years, I have been enormously fortunate to engage with many sides of our great institution. I have seen how our military has transformed and adapted to meet the nation’s requirements.”
In addition to accepting the mantle of responsibility for the brigade, Ragin’s first official duty was to oversee the redesignation of the unit to the 4th SB. The change in unit name and organizational colors is part of the Army’s plan to realign autonomous sustainment brigades directly under divisions and integrate the sustainment unit into the overall 4th Inf. Div. command structure, which will allow the brigade to increase its direct support to 4th Inf. Div. Soldiers and units.
“In a very short time I’ve gained a profound appreciation and respect for the ‘Iron Horse’ Division and ‘Rough Rider’ Brigade — their history, their lineage and their sacrifice to keep our nation free,” said Ragin. “There is no finer community of dedicated, smart, innovative and capable sustainment professionals and warfighters devoted to solving some of the nation’s most complex security problems. I look forward to vigorously executing Maj. Gen. Gonsalves’ priorities, supporting my fellow brigade commanders, maintaining strong community bonds, caring for our Families and leading a world-class sustainment team of teams.”
During his time with the 43rd SB, Whitson supported six combat training center deployments, three exercises at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, provided more than 22,000 miles of heavy equipment transport for the 4th Inf. Div., executed more than 500 transportation lift movements and built and ran an installation materiel yard. He also oversaw the deployment of the 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and deployed two companies to Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Whitson was inducted into the Fort Benning, Georgia, Officer Candidate School’s Hall of Fame and led the brigade in support of the local community during fires and floods.
“I (started) my command on a snowy day in December of 2013 at the SEC, when I took command after provisional command, so I might as well finish here,” Whitson said at the ceremony that was moved indoors due to inclement weather.
Whitson assured the Soldiers and Family members assembled before him that he will remember his time in command of the ‘Rough Riders’ fondly.