US Soldiers from PR contribute to save millions of dollars in Afghanistan

Photo By Carmen Castro | Soldiers from the 941ST Quartermaster Detachment, a United States Army Reserve unit from Puerto Rico, continue supporting the needs of the nation by performing critical tasks in support of the retrograde operations at the most important US base in Afghanistan.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

08.23.2014

Story by Maj. Carlos Cuebas 

U.S. Forces Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Soldiers from the 941ST Quartermaster Detachment, a United States Army Reserve unit from Puerto Rico, continue supporting the needs of the nation by performing critical tasks in support of the retrograde operations at the most important US base in Afghanistan.

The troops arrived to Bagram in February 2014 and upon their arrival, were attached to the United States Army Garrison-Bagram. The detachment, consisting of 19 Soldiers led by Master Sergeant Anthony Santos, was tasked to work in key Directorates within the Garrison.

“Being here at Bagram makes me feel that these Soldiers will be part of a critical phase of Operation Enduring Freedom, which is the closure phase. My Soldiers will be part of history.” said MSG Anthony Santos.

After thirteen years of combat operations in Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom is set to end 31 December 2014, which creates the need to redeploy and retrograde personnel and equipment out of country, one of the most challenging military logistics operations in history.

With this in mind, the service of the soldiers from Puerto Rico was employed to form a Materiel Retrograde Team (MRT), in direct support to the Central Command Material Recovery Element (CMRE), as part of the responsible and gradual transition of US Forces bases and property.

Sgt. Victor O’Neill, a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, took charge of the MRT, successfully executing over 10 missions consisting of resorting two containers and five offices.

The efforts of the US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico team saved the US Army over 5 million dollars, which is a clear indicator of how the troops from the largest US Army command in the Caribbean are significantly contributing to the responsible draw-down of personnel and equipment, while executing an effective stewardship of resources.

It is important to highlight that redeployment is not withdrawal from Afghanistan – it is setting the proper conditions for the train, advise and assist mission until the end of the ISAF mission in December 2014.

• Date Taken: 08.23.2014
• Date Posted: 08.23.2014 01:06
• Story ID: 140212
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF
• Hometown: SAN JUAN, PR