311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active1950 to present
Country United States
AllegianceUS Army Reserve United States Army Reserve
Branch United States Army
TypeSustainment command
RoleTheater and operational sustainment
SizeCommand
Part of79th Theater Sustainment Command
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California
Motto(s)Provide, Maintain, Sustain
Branch colors Buff Gold   Scarlet 
Commanders
Commanding generalBG Earl C. "Chip" Sparks IV
Command Sergeant MajorCSM Kristy L. Hawkins
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia

The 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) is a United States Army Reserve logistics headquarters subordinate to the 79th Theater Sustainment Command. Headquartered at 1250 Federal Avenue in Los Angeles, the command oversees about sixty two subordinate units and more than six thousand one hundred soldiers across Arizona, California, and Nevada.[1]

History

The headquarters traces its origin to the post World War II period, when the Army chose Los Angeles as the site for a new logistics unit to leverage a large pool of qualified Army Reserve personnel. The unit was activated in 1950 as the 311th Logistical Command. It was redesignated the 311th Support Brigade in 1974 and the 311th Corps Support Command in 1979. In 1981 it became the major support headquarters for I Corps. In 2005, as part of the Army modular transformation, it received its current designation as the 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).[2]

The command has supported named operations including Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, and Joint Endeavor in the Balkans. With I Corps, it participated in exercises such as Bold Venture, Cascade Peak, Team Spirit, Yama Sakura, and Border Start.[3]

During the global war on terror era, the 311th deployed to Southwest Asia. The command operated from Camp Arifjan, Kuwait during 2008 to 2009 in support of theater sustainment for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.[4][5][6]

Elements of the command also served in Afghanistan, including duty associated with theater sustainment at Kandahar Airfield during the early twenty tens.[7]

Most recently, the headquarters deployed to Kuwait in 2020 and 2021 in support of Operation Spartan Shield, with missions also tied to Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. The unit returned in January 2021.[8][9]

Mission

The 311th commands and controls sustainment units to provide operational and tactical level support, including distribution management, in coordination with a theater sustainment command. On order, it can deploy globally to conduct combat service support operations.[10]

Lineage

Units

The 311th ESC falls under the 79th Theater Sustainment Command. The 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) commands multiple brigades, groups, and subordinate battalions located throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona. Its mission is to provide operational sustainment, finance, personnel services, quartermaster, and transportation support across the western United States and for overseas contingencies.

Soldiers of the 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) during 2019 annual training

311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) – Los Angeles, California

304th Sustainment Brigade – Riverside, California

  • 304th Special Troops Battalion – Riverside, California
  • 155th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion – South El Monte, California
  • 371st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion – Los Angeles, California
  • 420th Transportation Battalion – Las Vegas, Nevada

650th Regional Support Group – Sloan, Nevada

  • 469th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion – Sloan, Nevada
  • 483rd Transportation Battalion – Marysville, California
  • 314th Transportation Battalion – Las Vegas, Nevada

653rd Regional Support Group – Mesa, Arizona

  • 336th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion – Buckeye, Arizona
  • 418th Quartermaster Battalion – Red Rock, Arizona
  • 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion – Tustin, California

326th Finance Group – Los Angeles, California

  • Subordinate finance detachments located across the southwestern United States

Insignia

Shoulder sleeve insignia, 311th ESC
Distinctive unit insignia, 311th ESC

The shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) for the 311th was originally approved for the 311th Logistical Command on 22 March 1955. It was redesignated for the 311th Support Brigade on 19 December 1974; for the 311th Corps Support Command on 16 May 1979; and for the 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) on 17 March 2006.[23]

The insignia consists of three interlaced arrows which symbolize the unit’s mission to provide support in the fields of transportation, quartering, and supply. The arrows also represent strength through unity and the broad logistical functions of the command.[24]

The distinctive unit insignia (DUI) was originally approved for the 311th Support Brigade on 4 November 1970. It was redesignated for the 311th Corps Support Command on 16 May 1979, and again redesignated for the 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) on 17 March 2006.[25]

The design incorporates a chevron, wrench, and wings which together symbolize the command’s motto: "Provide, Maintain, Sustain." The chevron stands for support, the wrench for maintenance, and the wings represent Los Angeles — the "City of Angels" — where the command is headquartered. Scarlet and buff are the branch colors of the sustainment and logistics corps.[26]

Command team

As of 2025 the commanding general is Brigadier General Earl C. "Chip" Sparks IV and the command sergeant major is Command Sergeant Major Kristy L. Hawkins.[27] Former commanders include Brigadier General Dianne Del Rosso and Brigadier General John M. Dreska, who conducted a change of command on 11 April 2021 in Los Angeles.[28]

Recent activities

The command continues to support theater sustainment tasks and large scale training. In 2025 it participated in Operation Mojave Falcon events at Fort Hunter Liggett and conducted a G8 Road to Budget circulation across the formation.[29][30]

Decorations

Ribbon Award Streamer Streamer embroidered
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) AFGHANISTAN 2012–2013[31]
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) OPERATION ALLIES REFUGE / OPERATION ALLIES WELCOME 2021–2022[32]

Campaign Participation Credit

Campaign Streamer Description
Afghanistan Campaign Awarded for participation in the Transition I campaign phase, 2012–2013.[33]
Global War on Terrorism Authorized for service in support of post–11 September operations worldwide.[34]

See also

References

  1. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) About Us". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  2. ^ "Our History, 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Our History, 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  4. ^ "311th ESC biannual historical summary references, 2008 to 2009" (PDF). U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  5. ^ "LOA begins professional development with Army command tour". U.S. Air Forces Central. 23 August 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  6. ^ "311th Soldiers pack footlockers for return to the United States" (PDF). DVIDS. February 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  7. ^ "All who wander are not lost". DVIDS. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  8. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) change of command". U.S. Army Reserve. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  9. ^ "311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command change of command". DVIDS. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  10. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) About Us". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  11. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) – About Us". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  12. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) – About Us". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  13. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) – About Us". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  14. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) – About Us". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  15. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) – About Us". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  16. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) – About Us". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  17. ^ "USARC 2008 to 2009 History" (PDF). U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  18. ^ "LOA begins professional development with Army command tour". U.S. Air Forces Central. 23 August 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  19. ^ "311th Soldiers pack footlockers for return to the United States" (PDF). DVIDS. February 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  20. ^ "General Orders No. 2014-47 — Meritorious Unit Commendation" (PDF). Department of the Army. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  21. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) change of command". U.S. Army Reserve. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  22. ^ "311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command change of command". DVIDS. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, 311th Sustainment Command". The Institute of Heraldry. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Our History, 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  25. ^ "Distinctive Unit Insignia, 311th Sustainment Command". The Institute of Heraldry. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  26. ^ "Distinctive Unit Insignia, 311th Sustainment Command". The Institute of Heraldry. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  27. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) main page". U.S. Army Reserve. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  28. ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) change of command". U.S. Army Reserve. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  29. ^ "311th ESC main page feature on Mojave Falcon". U.S. Army Reserve. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  30. ^ "311th ESC G8 Team conducts Road to Budget circulations". DVIDS. August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  31. ^ "General Orders No. 2014-47 — Meritorious Unit Commendation" (PDF). Department of the Army. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  32. ^ "Permanent Orders 032-0001 — Award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation" (PDF). U.S. Army Human Resources Command. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  33. ^ "General Orders No. 2014-47 — Meritorious Unit Commendation" (PDF). Department of the Army. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  34. ^ "General Orders No. 2010-14 — Global War on Terrorism Campaign Participation Credit" (PDF). Department of the Army. 8 September 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
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