Grand Terrace Native Makes a Difference

Grand Terrace native, Lieutenant Col. Kenneth G. Lee, is currently serving as the battalion commander of the 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group which unfurled the unit colors during an activation ceremony at Soifert Field aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 2. The mission of the 2nd TSB is to provide transportation and support for the II Marine Expeditionary Force by facilitating the distribution of personnel, equipment and supplies by air, land and sea. “This battalion provides 2nd MLG a functional battalion for transportation, but it’s not just truck driving,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth G. Lee, the battalion commander of 2nd TSB and native of Grand Terrace. “The landing support brings the other capability with us, so if it’s coming off a railroad, a ship, across the beach, or commercial trucking, we’re the ones that facilitate that movement.” During the activation ceremony, the approximately 630 Marines who now make up the 2nd TSB stood in parade formation as Lee uncased the colors of the battalion and the guidons of Headquarters and Service Company, Company A and Company B. “We provide that ship to shore logistical capability,” said First Sgt. Jason R. Gillespie, the 2nd TSB senior enlisted leader and native of Dixie, Washington. “We now become the workhorse of the MEF.” 2nd TSB is a battalion built from the reallocation of forces. The Marine Corps has moved Marines from other units, such as Landing Support Company and General Support Motor Transport Company, and refocused their mission to create the battalion and ultimately support the readiness and mission of II MEF. The unit will see its next addition of Marines when Landing Support Company activates under 2nd TSB from Headquarters Regiment, 2nd MLG in December. “If you’re out there on the front lines doing your thing you can’t continue to do that without support elements,” said Gillespie. “The hardest thing there is to do in this type of organization is to continue to support the warfighter, and continue to propel their moment forward. That’s what we do.”