Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Selvage | Pfc. Anthony Lodiong, automated logistical specialist also assigned to Headquarters...... read more read more
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Soldiers working in the humanitarian relief yard here have a mission that isn’t just supporting the warfighters on the ground, but they are sending out needed supplies to the people of Afghanistan.
Since the 10th Sustainment Brigade took over in early February, the HR yard team has conducted approximately 12 humanitarian relief missions consisting of more than 24 truckloads of supplies.
Although the yard is not large in comparison to the mission, it has proven to be just the right size to touch many lives since its inception in 2005.
The Commander’s Emergency Response Program was used to purchase items from local venders to make up the HR yard stock, said Staff Sgt. Lobsang Salaka, the HR yard noncommissioned officer in charge assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Special Troops Battalion, 10th SBDE. U.S. government organizations also donated items to the yard in support of the HR mission.
There is no other place like the HR yard in Afghanistan. While some might see just items stored inside 20 and 40-foot containers, Muleskinner soldiers see the opportunity to make an impact on a person’s life in a positive way.
“We provide humanitarian relief items to the needed people based on recommendations made by the battlefield commanders, civil affairs units and special forces units,” said Salaka.
Salaka said, the HR yard on Bagram is the last Army operated one in Afghanistan.
The HR mission responds to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, as well as displaced indigenous populace due to insurgent or drug warlord activities, which may assist ground commanders with their counter-insurgency operations.
Salaka said he has several soldiers and local nationals working hand-in-hand at the yard to accomplish the mission.
Effective Army logistics support is the cornerstone of the Army’s ability to operate and conduct its mission whether it’s combat or humanitarian support.
Muleskinner soldiers ship items everywhere throughout Afghanistan.
Some of the supplies the HR yard has provided are tents, clothing for men, women and children, rubber boots, coal burning stoves, charcoal, school supplies, prayer rugs, dental hygiene kits, and the list just goes on, Salaka said.
These items were made available to units for distribution to the local populace or military personnel depending on what they were.
“The HR mission is actually a very big one,” said Pfc. Anthony Lodiong, automated logistical specialist, assigned to HHC, 10th STB, 10th SBDE. “It’s a way for the Army to help the Afghan people by providing them the humanitarian relief they need.”
The mission had been going on for years; the 10th SBDE has merely picked up where their predecessors left off. Muleskinner soldiers will continue to keep the supplies rolling until the mission is complete.
“Taking care of people is something the Army has been doing for centuries,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jose A. Castillo, 10th SBDE senior enlisted leader. “Being able to take care of the local populace in a war-torn country is something Muleskinners take pride in.”
Giving to less fortunate people is not something that is alien to soldiers. It is evident the soldiers who work in the yard are proud of what they do on a daily basis.
Maj. Adrien Humphreys, a reintegration advisor assigned to the 10th Mountain Division (LI), said the local nationals outside of Ghazni were not prepared for the harsh and extended winter season this year and the supplies received helped implement a positive outlook on the coalition forces and Afghan National Army.
“They see that we are not abandoning them,” said Humphreys. “We are passing the responsibility along to the ANA to take care of them in the future.”
She said coalition forces team up with the ANA and let the ANA become the faces providing the supplies, helping build an enduring relationship between them.
Some soldiers take the HR mission to heart rather than just another tasking.
“This mission has a big impact on the people of Afghanistan,” said Lodiong. “It’s my will to contribute to the peace building efforts in Afghanistan, and I do the best I can to ensure the HR work is a success.”
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2014 01:47 |
| Story ID: | 121220 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | CHAMBERSBURG, PA, US |
| Hometown: | LETTERKENNY ARMY DEPOT, PA, US |
| Hometown: | NEW ORLEANS, LA, US |
| Hometown: | NEW YORK, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 305 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Muleskinners support those in need, by SSG Michael Selvage, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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