Photo By Capt. Henry Chan | U.S. Army Spc. Emily Burgos, left, briefs Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno...... read more read more
PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The 38th Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno visited the Bagram Air Field Retrosort Yard on the drizzly morning of Feb. 21. The general’s visit was a part of a larger tour around the Afghan battlefield to better visualize retrograde operations.
The yard is under operational control of the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. Michelle Letcher, and the 593rd Sustainment Brigade, Central Command Material Recovery Element, commanded by Col. Douglas McBride.
After the soldiers and sailors welcomed the chief of staff, 18th CSSB executive officer, Maj. Rosendo Pagan began the tour with an overview of one of the most mature redistribution and reconfiguration operation in Afghanistan.
The BAF RSY operates along with two other retrograde sort yards in Afghanistan that either ships excess materiel out of the Afghan theater back into the Army supply system, or re-distributes excess materiel within Afghanistan for deployed military units to re-utilize them.
Through the in-brief, the general and his staff discussed with 18th CSSB members on different ways that they could further develop the retrograde process in anticipation for future operations.
With U.S. military forces transferring primary combat responsibilities to Afghan forces, CMRE Soldiers clear items from the battlefield to return back to the military supply system. Retrosort facilities determine whether items are worth shipping back to military depots for redistribution.
BAF RSY noncommissioned officer in charge, Sgt. 1st Class Isani Labriel, showed Odierno the main sorting area. Workers shuffled through the processing tent to unpack items into 64 cu. ft. cardboard “kicker boxes”, and sorted the contents into other kicker boxes labeled weapons parts, medical, wood, auto parts, etc.
Although a kicker box may cost up to $1,200 for shipping, prices of expensive individual items that return to military warehouses are well worth the trouble. Pagan showed Odierno a small pair of optical displays being returned to the military supply system that were worth more than $23,000 each. One box could easily add up to $200,000.
The BAF RSY also houses customs personnel to ensure items shipped are within Customs and Border Control regulations.
Customs clearance section service members, Spc. Martiza Guzman, the 247th Quartermaster Company, based out of Fort Carson, Colo., and Petty Officer 2nd Class Guadalupe Jimenez, from Hotel Company, U.S. Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group explained to Odierno the importance of customs clearance.
“If there are insect eggs left in containers, for example, an invasive species may hatch when it returns to the U.S., and subsequently destroy entire ecosystems. This poses a significant issue, because some of these organisms can destroy entire crops, giving America less food, and higher gas prices,” said Jimenez, “we’ve got to do what we can as customs clearance agents to protect our country.”
Wash-rack supervisor, Spc. Emily Burgos, from the 247th QM introduced Odierno to the new shipping container wash system. The contraption that resembled an automatic car-wash separated dirt, oil and waste products from the drained wash solution and recycled water.
This method minimizes the environmental damage, while maintaining customs and border control standards at a 300 percent increase in efficiency.
As the visit concluded, Odierno personally thanked the service members. “A job well done,” he said while presenting them with coins, a traditional memento from officers to recognize soldiers for excellence.
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2013 11:07 |
| Story ID: | 102378 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 371 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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