191st Infantry Brigade

Story by Spc. Stephanie Bacon

By Spc. Stephanie Bacon
191st Infantry Brigade

FORT LEWIS, Wash – First Army Division West, 191st Infantry Brigade, 1-356 Logistical Support Battalion's primary mission is providing logistical support for the eight battalions in the brigade. The 1-356 Logistical Support Battalion operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure service members deploying through Fort Lewis have transportation, water, and weapons necessary for training.

"We are the cornerstone of the brigade. A big part of our mission is getting water to and from the Contingency Operating Location where deploying service members live. We provide fuel, water for shower trailers and drinking, plus we take the gray water out," said Lt. Col. Robert Centeno, Logistical Support Battalion commander.

When 3-364 Engineer Regiment requested an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle model for training, Soldiers from the 1-356 Logistical Support Battalion enthusiastically rose to the challenge.

Sgt. 1st Class David Belanger, maintenance supervisor at the motor pool, assigned Sgt. James Pecorella, a mechanic, to the task. Pecorella got on the internet and gathered as much information as he could about the specifications. He drew up plans and then went to work utilizing pieces of old scrap metal from the motor pool.

"I was excited to have the opportunity to work on something different. I did the research, had a vision, and set out to build something as close to a real model as I could get," said Pecorella.

The end result amazed everyone. Pecorella, with input from Belanger, built a full size, life-like replica. It looks, feels, and comes apart, just like a real UAV.

Staff Sgt. Douglas Smith, 3-364 Engineer Battalion, operates as a Quick Reactionary Force trainer for the 191st Infantry Brigade. Smith said he was ecstatic when he saw the UAV.

"QRF teams have to be ready at a moments notice to roll out and assist with any kind of incident and this UAV is a great training tool for us," Smith said.

The new UAV will give deploying service member's hands-on experience so they can practice locating and recovering a downed UAV. Deploying troops will be trained and ready, knowing exactly what they are looking for should the situation occur while in theater.

"If it's within our resources and our scope, we will make the mission happen. We are here to provide customer service to the Brigade," said Lt. Col. Centeno.

The 3-364 Engineer Regiment and the 191st Infantry Brigade applaud the 1-356th Logistical Support Battalion for going above and beyond the call of duty.

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