Leadership
Col. William Temple - Commander, 50th RSG
Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Delano - CSM, 50th RSG
Year in Review - 2021
This past year was most challenging for the 50th Regional Support Group (RSG) Soldiers based in Homestead. The Headquarters element deployed 84 Soldiers as a part of the European Deterrence Initiative supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve, where they were charged with base operations support in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. The rear detachment continued its support of COVID-19 operations and stood ready for hurricane related missions. Their hard work and dedication enabled them to excel at every task and set new standards for those who followed.
The 146th Expeditionary Signal Battalion (ESB), based out of Jacksonville, Pensacola, and Homestead, deployed to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite unique challenges incurred from operating in a COVID-19-restrained contingency environment, the 146th ESB successfully deployed and operated 30 communications nodes in six different countries. The unit’s exceptional performance directly enhanced the CENTCOM Commander’s security and stability missions in the region. The 146th ESB was transferred under the 50th Regional Support Group in October 2021.
The 254th Transportation Battalion in West Palm Beach led the way during Florida’s COVID-19 vaccination initiative. More than 425 Soldiers from the battalion provided direct support to every regional task force throughout the state. The 356th Quartermaster Company deployed 50 Soldiers to the National Training Center (NTC), Ft. Irwin, in support of the NTC rotation in August 2021. They expertly managed all the Class I commodities to the Brigade Support Area during the exercise. The 160th Transportation Company mobilized in October 2021 to the Southwest border to provide support to the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the 1218th Transportation Company returned in October 2021 after a successful year-long deployment in support of the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Operation Southwest Border 2021.
Soldiers from the 260th Military Intelligence (MI) Battalion, based out of Miami and Pinellas Park, provided critical support to region 7 during COVID-19 operations in West Palm Beach and Broward counties through the end of June 2021. In response to Tropical Storm Elsa, Soldiers from the 260th MI Battalion conducted sustainment missions in support of civil authorities. Finally, the battalion participated in the Panther Strike 2021 exercise in Utah and assumed responsibility as lead element for the Panther Strike 2022 event.
Over the past year, the 927th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), headquartered at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, again experienced a high operational tempo. The unit successfully led over 800 Soldiers, including 65 from 927 CSSB in Task Force 46, supporting 11 COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites across Central Florida Regions 4, 5, and 6 during the pandemic. Our battalion also successfully deployed 54 Soldiers and conducted nine food and water sustainment missions as Florida's lead response to Tropical Storm Elsa in July 2021.
The 930th Digital Liaison Detachment (DLD) in Homestead was responsible for providing multinational interoperability during the Defender Europe 21 Command Post Exercise conducted at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. Working directly for the 1st Calvary Division, the 930th DLD provided both digital and human liaison capabilities to the 61st Mech Brigade, Bulgaria. In addition, the 930th augmented the 209th DLD at both the Multinational Corps Southeast in Bucharest, Romania, and Multinational Division Southeast in Slobozia, Romania. The successful completion of DEFENDER-Europe proved the 930th to be one of the premier DLDs across all three combatant commands.
This year the 13th Army Band celebrated a returning focus to their primary mission-providing music. They performed several public concerts for Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day as well as supported military events throughout the state, including the 50th RSG departure, National Guard Birthday, Red Carpet Retirement ceremonies, Change of Command ceremonies, the Officer Candidate School graduation, and the SOUTHCOM Change of Command, where distinguished guests included the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The 13th Army Band also performed at the National Guard Association of Florida's annual conference and were presented with their Hall of Fame award.
In addition to our 2021 operations, the 50th RSG excelled in various military competitions and events. At the annual Adjutant General's (TAG) Match, our Soldiers won first place in both the individual rifle and pistol categories. While deployed, three additional Soldiers from the 50th RSG were awarded the Expert Soldier Badge (ESB). Representing the 927th CSSB, Spec. O'Neill did an outstanding job to become the Florida Soldier of the Year and the 356th Quartermaster Company received the TAG trophy for excellence in personnel, supply, and maintenance readiness. And finally, the 260th Military Intelligence Battalion secured the Best Shooter Award and Top Shooting Team at this year’s Best Warrior Competition.
