Courtesy Photo | T-Wall barriers are neatly placed side by side outside the mortuary affairs, 553rd...... read more read more
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By the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Public Affairs Office
CAMP VICTORY, IRAQ – Maj. Edward Hausknecht, from Anchorage, Alaska, and the officer in charge for the 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion's support operations team, has been extremely busy since arriving at Victory Base Complex in April.
The SPO team provides managerial oversight of nine commodity assets, located in VBC, and a contractual internal line haul transportation element. In order to ensure a smooth logistical flow of commodities, several site improvement projects have been initiated.
Capt. Seneca Moore, an Oviedo, Fla., native, and the officer in charge for the SPO transportation section, is determined to reduce customer delivery time by ensuring cargo received in the Central Receiving and Shipping Point yard is expedited to the receiving unit more efficiently.
"By reducing the time a piece of equipment stays in the yard, (it) ensures that the war fighter has the assets needed to complete the mission," Moore stated.
His tremendous dedication to customer service generates heavy traffic flow through the yard on a continuous basis; thus creating large road depressions in numerous areas. Road improvements, which include grading and compacting, are currently underway. In addition, increased fortification of the CRSP yard has been accomplished with the placement of 75 barriers along the canal that separates the CRSP yard and Camp Trash Can.
Chief Warrant Officer Wendy Merkel, a Jacksonville, Fla. native, and the officer in charge for the supply and services section, is a stickler for details. This trait is apparent in her commitment to site improvement of the Liberty Bulk Fuel Farm. In order to ensure the safety of the personnel working at the farm, Merkel insisted that additional emergency eye wash and shower stations be ordered. She also initiated road improvements as a prevention method against vehicular accidents.
Fortification of the 5.7 million gallon fuel farm was also a necessity. Currently, the first phase of the fortification process has begun with the arrival and placement of "Nebraska" style barriers along the front of the farm. The second phase is scheduled to commence in mid-June with the arrival of five hundred T-walls. Upon completion of this phase, barriers will completely surround the farm and greatly reduce the risk associated with indirect fire. Merkel is working on future site improvements, which include a water drainage system and bag berm enforcement.
The 553rd CSSB is privileged to have tactical control of a mortuary affairs section, which is an asset to their current mission. On a recent site visit, 1st Lt. Christopher Etheridge, a Seminole, Okla., native, and a transportation officer from the SPO transportation section, was appalled at the lack of force protection surrounding the MA's living quarters. He immediately proceeded to the Sather Air Base Mayor Cell and requested T-wall barriers to remedy the problem. Amazingly, Etheridge was allotted 65 T-wall barriers for immediate delivery, which took less than 24 hours.
As a result of Etheridge's quick action and concern for protection, an even bigger obstacle was discovered during the placement of the T-wall barriers. As it turns out, a black water pipe had burst and was draining raw sewage around the MA section's living quarters. Foul smells had been present in the area for several weeks, but the source was unknown. Etheridge placed an emergency work order and stayed into the night to ensure the pipe was fixed.
In addition, he insisted a trash pile consisting of concertina wire and debris be cleared from the area thus improving the quality of life for the MA section.
Under the leadership of Hausknecht and Sgt. 1st Class John Parrish, an Iowa native, and the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 553rd CSSB SPO, will continue to enhance and improve all aspects of their assigned commodities and transportation assets. In addition, the 553rd CSSB SPO will strive to accomplish all future missions thoroughly and expediently in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Multi-National Division-Baghdad. "Support Victory!"
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2008 12:48 |
| Story ID: | 20228 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,139 |
| Downloads: | 962 |
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