Photo By Rick Rzepka | Sgt. 1st Class James Faggart, 426th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat...... read more read more
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Spc. Rick Rzepka
1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
IKRIT, Iraq – Wars have been won and lost based on logistics. Logistics is an art-form, which when executed properly can mean the difference between life and death, glory and shame.
"A little neglect may breed mischief. For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the horse was lost; and for want of a horse, the rider was lost," said Benjamin Franklin on the import of the logistician.
The 426th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division eats, sleeps and breathes logistics and without them, the Bastogne Infantrymen would pay the price.
Since arriving in Iraq in early October, 2007, the 426th BSB has moved a staggering amount of crucial material to the Bastogne infantry battalions in the Salah ad Din province.
In five months, the "Taskmasters" have driven more than 89 thousand miles on perilous roads to deliver their essential cargo. A feat that would make even the most seasoned UPS drivers wince.
More than 1.5 million gallons of fuel have been delivered courtesy of these master logisticians who take pride in knowing that they are at the heart of the fight for freedom in one of Iraq's most volatile provinces.
"It's critical to the overall mission here," said Staff Sgt. Kalvin Newkirk, a motor transporter with Alpha Company, 426th BSB. "We keep everything rolling. Without supplies, the infantrymen couldn't move," he said.
In providing direct support logistic operations in a combat environment, the Soldiers of the 426th realize that they are a critical link in helping to secure the people of Iraq.
"It's like a chain reaction," said Spc. Michael Velasquez, a logistics specialist who provides security for combat logistics patrols. "I'm playing a role as a guardian for the convoy. To provide safety for them is to provide safety for the infantry so they get the supplies they need so they can support the Iraqi people. Together, we can complete the mission," he said.
Recently, the 426th conducted one of their largest missions to date by supplying concrete barriers to an Iraqi police station in ad Dawr, southeast of Tikrit.
With more than 30 vehicles that stretched over 3.5 miles, the 426th delivered the much needed ramparts in an effort to help secure the town and its residents.
"We're setting them up for success," said Newkirk who drove several hours to complete the mission. "The T-walls will provide the local nationals security and freedom of movement," he said.
"Anything we can do for the Iraqis is a big help," said Sgt. 1st Class James Faggart, a platoon sergeant in the BSB's transportation section. "There's a lot of good people here in Iraq, who really want to see change," he said.
Faggart, who has seen multiple deployments, said that the most dramatic change comes from the people stepping up and securing themselves. "The Concerned Local Citizens are out there, securing their own areas," he said. "I think it's been a big change since 2005 when we were here last time."
The most rewarding aspects of being a combat logistician is being able to bring his troopers home safely after each mission, said Faggart, who credits the battalion's success with the four key principles of discipline, accountability, training and maintenance.
"My guys are focused, they're not playing around out there," said Faggart. "Where the rubber meets the road is where the Soldiers get out there and make it happen."
| Date Taken: | 03.04.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2008 10:51 |
| Story ID: | 16980 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 598 |
| Downloads: | 579 |
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