Photo By Sgt. Aaron Ellerman | Soldiers from the 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) pose in front of the U.S....... read more read more
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DOHA, Qatar - “Have a CAS-tastic Day” the electronic sign flashes at the entrance to Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar.
The expression, familiar to thousands of service members and personnel that traveled here, sums up the astounding quality of life and joyous attitude on camp. CAS is home to Area Support Group-Qatar, which serves as the Army component headquarters for assigned Army forces and joint tenant units in this region. ASG-QA facilitates countless numbers of service members traveling through the area of responsibility since establishing in 1993. A prior rest and recuperation destination, CAS became known as an oasis in this region.
ASG-QA however, has another important purpose; one that provides support to the war fighter.
“Our main mission is to support and provide force protection for our forces that pass through CAS,” said Col. William Wozniak, commander, ASG-QA. “That’s our charter; supporting the defenders of freedom.”
ASG-QA also provides housing facilities for Army Prepositioned Stock, a program which allows rapid deployment of equipment and goods to forward areas of operation.
“I think a lot of people hear Qatar and they think that it’s just a rest and recovery spot,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Earla Reddock, command sergeant major, ASG-QA. “But this base has done a lot more than rest and recovery.”
“I think the biggest issue is getting over the mindset that Qatar is only a rest and recovery location,” said Maj. David Bornn, deputy commanding officer ASG-QA. “We are here specifically to support many different missions. The rest and recovery program is just a small facet of what ASG-QA has been doing since 1993.”
Setting off on a new endeavor soldiers from the 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), an Army Reserve unit from Orlando, Fla., arrived at CAS in late August. Their mission is to conduct sustainment planning for contingency operations throughout their area of responsibility. The support from ASG-QA was critical to the success of this mission.
“When Col. Wozniak and I received the brief on why the 143d ESC was coming and what they needed , the key thing for me was to make sure we had the barracks space and a bed available for every soldier,” said Reddock. “And ensure we gave the 143d ESC a location where they could conduct business. We ensured their soldiers were well taken care of so the command could focus on the mission.”
Fatigued from a more than 17 hour journey here, the group of 143d ESC soldiers welcomed the smooth transition onto CAS.
“I think the most important thing to do in preparing for a new tenant units arrival is the way we bring them into CAS,” said Reddock. “When we found out when the 143d ESC was coming, we ensured transportation was set up, rooms were ready, and the senior leadership was met and taken care of. We had a reception for the 143d the first night they arrived. If people feel they are part of a team and valued they really want to do more.”
“It was incumbent upon us to make sure the 143d ESC knew all of the things that were available to them on CAS,” said Wozniak. “We provided the 143d ESC with the office space and furnishings they needed, but we really tried to see how we could make their move onto CAS seamless.”
An element from the 135th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and 143d ESC arrived weeks prior to start preparing for the main groups arrival. The elements worked closely with ASG-QA to identify and communicate what needs were required.
“I did not think the office space was going to be this big. I was pleasantly surprised,” said Lt. Col. William Schermerhorn, distribution management chief, 143d ESC. “The 135th ESC did a great job of communicating our needs to ASG-QA.”
The 143d ESC, having only a small group to accomplish the demanding workload of its monumental operation, received help from the 135th ESC and ASG-QA to ease distractions, allowing soldiers to better focus on their mission.
“My main job in preparing for the 143d ESC’s arrival was to identify shortcomings and issues as far as resource. I think everything worked very smoothly,” said Bornn. “The level of professionalism I see among the units is amazing.”
Bornn emphasized the importance of ASG-QA supporting the 143d ESC soldiers, which are managing higher levels of responsibility, many of whom are the only point of contact for their section.
“The soldiers are doing a real world mission that is more focused here and they all took on a significant amount of responsibility,” said Bornn.
Soldiers of the 143d ESC participate in many activities on camp during resiliency periods. CAS offers a plethora of things for soldiers to do including monthly marathons, miniature golf, bowling, a 3-dimensional movie theater, off-post trips sponsored by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation office and more.
With tensions in the region rising, the need for the 143d ESC to conduct real world exercises and planning missions is imperative. With the support from the 135th ESC and ASG-QA, the 143d turned bare walls and carpet into an efficient and productive operations center where they execute their mission while maintaining communication with other elements spread throughout the region.
Having an operational center in Qatar allows the 143d ESC and its counterparts to come together in a strategic centralized location.
“I was shocked at the number of strategic partners that were here,” said Schermerhorn. “It’s great when you can walk over and talk to a person face to face.”
ASG-QA was pivotal in helping the 143d ESC become operational and provided support at every opportunity.
“ASG-QA was over here on a constant basis making sure everything was functioning,” said Schermerhorn. “They have been extremely responsive.”
During its stay on CAS, the 143d ESC established many great relationships with the units it worked with.
“What I really like about the 143d ESC is that they jumped in and became a part of the CAS team immediately,” said Wozniak. “With the 143d ESC, 135th ESC and ASG-QA all working together, I know there is no limit to what can be done.”
| Date Taken: | 09.27.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.02.2013 04:21 |
| Story ID: | 114582 |
| Location: | DOHA, QA |
| Web Views: | 405 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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