Courtesy Photo | Pvt. Martin Rodriguez, the alternate armorer for the 96th Sustainment Brigade and a...... read more read more
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CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Many things are changing in Iraq, as the responsible drawdown of forces and equipment are taking place, but among all the change there are still standards which need to be met and regulations that need to be enforced. For two Soldiers in the Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), the task to bring the brigade arms room up to standard was given and they successfully completed the mission and received commendation for their efforts.
Spc. Christopher Blaisdell, the brigade's armorer, from Sacramento, Calif., and Pvt. Martin Rodriguez, the alternate armorer, and a Phoenix, Ariz., resident were responsible for the adjustments that needed to be made to the arms room, which holds all of the brigade's night vision devices, extra communication equipment and weapon systems. "When we arrived, we had to clean up a lot of mess from the room and get all the regulations met," said Blaisdell.
According to Spc. Blaisdell, he has been in the military for two years and was previously a supply specialist. He went to school to become an armoror five months ago, and is now in charge of an arms room for a brigade. "I like learning new things and taking on more responsibility of control and tracking weapons; it gives me a sense of leadership and makes me feel like I have an important role in the unit." As a reserve Soldier, he has another role at home — his education. He said that he is planning on enrolling in college for the physical science, kinesiology while stationed in Iraq.
Staff Sgt. William Yazzie, HHC's supply sergeant, and a Westwendover, Nev., native, is the non-commissioned officer in charge of the two Soldiers responsible for the arms room. He said that recently, Spc. Blaisdell earned the Soldier of the week for the whole brigade for his efforts in all that he does. "They are self-driven, good Soldiers. Sec. Donald Rumsfeld said, 'You go to war with what you got'. We did what we could with what we had. I told them to clean it up and gave them the regulation and they made it happen."
According to Blaisdell, some of the improvements made to the arms room include cleanliness, securing all weapon racks, 500 pounds or more to the wall, and posting necessary memorandums at the entrance of the room, which are all in the Army Regulation 190-11. "We didn't really have all the resources needed to do exactly what the regulation stated, but we found some heavy chains and got the racks secured."
Maj. Dino Angelbuer, the intelligence officer for the brigade, and a Bountiful, Utah, native, was present when Lt. Col. Angelo Williams conducted a staff assistance visit to the 96th SBDE from the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). According to Angelbuer, Lt. Col. Williams stated that it was the best looking arms room he has seen in theater. Williams is the 13th ESC's intelligence officer and a New Haven, Conn. Resident and is responsible for conducting physical security inspections. "I'm the unit's physical security manager for AA&E which stands for arms, ammunition and explosives," Williams stated. He also said that without these types of inspections, it is most likely not done to standard until guidance has been given.
The two Soldiers received praises from their supervisors as well as their higher command. "They have a good sense of organization and attention to detail. They demonstrated an innovative use of resources to accomplish the mission," said Maj. Angelbuer.
| Date Taken: | 12.29.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.29.2009 07:55 |
| Story ID: | 43234 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 351 |
| Downloads: | 244 |
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