Soldiers provide communications, support

Photo By Sgt. Daniel West | Captain Joshua Carlson and Staff Sgt. Jose Flores team up to complete a task at Forward Operating Base Delta, Iraq, May 18. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. Daniel T. West, 214th Fires Brigade)  

AL KUT, IRAQ

05.21.2008

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

By Sgt. Daniel T. West
214th Fired Brigade

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Good communication is a critical component to the success of any military operation. Maintaining communications between coalition forces stationed in Wasit province proved a great challenge for Soldiers of the 214th Fires Brigade's S-6 section.

"There are many cultural differences ... They just don't do things the same way. Our goal is to find a way to support their mission," said Capt. Joshua Carlson, a Tacoma, Wash., native and the officer in charge of the section.

The S-6 section manages communications for Forward Operating Base Delta and coalition forces throughout Wasit province in addition to supporting the strategic expansion of communications for future growth here.

The S-6 made sure all units under their care, both coalition and American, had the equipment and support necessary to successfully complete their mission, said Staff Sgt. Jose Flores, from Bartow, Fla., non-commissioned officer in charge of the section. This, also, proved challenging.

"Many couldn't bring all the equipment they needed, so they came to the S-6," he said. "We try to get them up to speed."

With so much work to do, Spc. Brandon Grider, a native of Birmingham, Ala., automation chief in the section, estimated the workload would need a staff of 20, but instead they had only five. Still, he said they didn't let it prevent them from completing their mission.

"It's been pretty rough," he said. "Still, you have to just get up and do it. The job's got to get done."

Soldiers of the S-6 do whatever they can to make their heavy workload more enjoyable. For example, as policy, anyone bringing a problem to their desk must take two shots with a foam basketball into a hoop across the room – a feat only accomplished by two Soldiers over the course of the deployment.

"You've got to keep it light," Flores said.

The Soldiers, marked promotions and personal achievements over the course of 15 months here, but the most significant event for the section didn't take place at FOB Delta, or even in Iraq. No, the most significant event was the birth of Carlson's daughter, Sophia Ruth in August of 2007.

"As much as I've enjoyed my time here, that's the highlight," Carlson said.

• Date Taken: 05.21.2008
• Date Posted: 05.21.2008 16:15
• Story ID: 19670
• Location: AL KUT, IQ