Mongoose Soldiers sustain fight

Photo By Pfc. John Ahn | Pfc. Darnell Jackson, a native of Kileen, Texas, and Spc. Delmar Desantos, a native of Newark, N.J., reposition a water pump that transfers water from bladders on flatbed trucks to holding tank at a Joint Security Station in the Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad, on June 13. Jackson is a water and fuel specialist and Desantos is an ammunition specialist. Both assigned to Company A, 225th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.  

TAJI, IRAQ

06.23.2008

Story by Pfc. John Ahn 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Pfc. John Ahn
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Success of sustained ground operations is dependent upon far more than the mere ability to close-in and destroy the enemy. Leaders face the issue of troop morale, along with other issues that must be balanced in order to maintain the fight.

Supply channels can influence troop morale.

The 225th Brigade Support Battalion "Mongoose," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division–Baghdad, is the support element for the maneuver units of the 2nd SBCT, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Mongoose Soldiers support combat and reconstruction efforts in the Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad, since January 2008. The Mongoose Soldiers risk their lives daily to convoy to the farthest reaches of the brigade's area to resupply the units.

The days begin early and end late. Soldiers gather at Company A, 225th BSB Headquarters every morning before the sun rises. The men and women sit through a thorough brief, highlighting significant activities, threats, weather and a plethora information to ensure that every member of the team is aware of any issues on the travel route.

Nothing is left to chance. Soldiers review every possible scenario before preparing themselves and their vehicles for movement.

To make their jobs more challenging, most Soldiers going out on these daily resupply missions work outside of their trained military specialty.

These Soldiers learned and adapted to their newly required jobs. Cooks work as liaisons between units to ensure proper supply channels are maintained. Others work in a police role in detainee operations; some fuel and water specialists man gun trucks; while mechanics serve as vehicle commanders on convoys.

Sgt. 1st Class Derek Smith, a cook working as a liaison and a native of Miami, says that the mission is going well and he has adapted to his new role.

"It's going well," he said. "It has its bumps and there's always room for improvement."

The Soldiers of 225th BSB are dedicated to ensuring Soldiers not located on Camp Taji have the best possible amenities.

Sgt. Rupert Martinez, a native of San Francisco, and non Commissioned Officer on the field feeding team, Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, "Wolfhounds," 2nd SBCT, 25th Inf. Div, MND-B, works 18-hour days to ensure that his Soldiers get the best meal possible.

"I'm from a Filipino background, so just like at home, during parties, I want to see them with full over-flowing plates. It's stuff like that ... that's what gets me through deployments."

The Soldiers of 2nd SBCT are glad to have the support from the Mongoose Soldiers and are pleased at their support at the joint security stations.

"I love the support these guys give us," said 1st Lt. Sean Hollars, a Washington native, who serves as the executive officer for Company B, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Regt. "They have minimal resources at the JSS, but they accomplish the mission. The cooks will tailor around patrol schedules and the (water specialists) have changed the whole outlook on Soldier's lives. They went from going to their rooms unhappy to, 'hey, I can go work out and grab a shower right after.' It's really changed (the infantry Soldier's) quality of life. They can even get their laundry done in a couple of hours and it comes back folded."

The Mongoose Soldiers have gone through some growing pains, but they are now more mature, more organized, and better equipped to handle the task at hand – securely supply infantry Soldiers with the food, fuel, medical care, and services to enable them to sustain the fight in Iraq.

• Date Taken: 06.23.2008
• Date Posted: 06.22.2008 16:25
• Story ID: 20760
• Location: TAJI, IQ