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    2nd Battalion, 402nd Army Field Support Brigade has change of command, same mission focus

    402nd Army Field Support Brigade Has Change of Command, Same Mission

    Photo By Sgt. Anthony Hooker | Lt. Col. Robert L. Barnes, Jr., the outgoing commander of the 2nd Battalion, 402nd...... read more read more

    BALAD, IRAQ

    08.30.2008

    Courtesy Story

    215th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

    By Spc. Anthony Hooker
    215th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

    JOINT BASE BALAD, IRAQ – During a change of command ceremony held, Aug. 15, 2008, Lt. Col. Robert L. Barnes Jr., the outgoing commander of the 2nd Battalion, 402nd Army Field Support Brigade, took a moment from his closing remarks to wipe away tears, collect himself, and indulge the audience with a list of his unit's accomplishments.

    As only the third commander ever to hold the position, Barnes shed the tears of a man grateful to have held the responsibility of managing all of the Army's theater-provided equipment.

    As his wife and son watched via satellite from Stuttgart, Germany, Barnes relinquished command of the 2nd/402nd to Lt. Col. Joe Louis Hart, Jr. With the handoff, Hart, a native of Orangeburg, S.C., received control of one of the more unusual and significant military commands in Iraq.

    Over 92 percent of the 2nd/402nd AFSB's personnel are either Department of the Army civilians or government contractors. Shaking hands with many of his former co-workers, Barnes said it was a blessing to have served with this group.

    "Many of these workers have served in previous wars like Vietnam, Desert Shield, [Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom]," Barnes said. "They know what the warfighter is going through, the problems they encounter. That understanding makes them more capable to assist the warfighter."

    Troy Bream, the theater property book officer for the 2nd/402nd AFSB, served as a colorguard during the change of command ceremony. He said working alongside the military, in particular, Barnes, was a great and unique experience.

    The 2nd/402nd AFSB's primary function is to provide, install and redistribute property used specifically by units serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

    "We are the theater property book owners in Iraq," said Hart, who recently served in OIF from November 2006 to February 2008 as the III Corps Material Readiness Chief. "We are also responsible for accounting, maintaining and getting equipment back to an operable status."

    The 402nd AFSB is one of seven field support brigades in the world. Assigned to the United States Army Sustainment Command, AFSBs provide ASCs with a single command structure in strategic locations around the world including Iraq, Kuwait, Korea and Europe.

    The 2nd/402nd, which is close to entering its third year of existence, provides synchronization and support to the fielding of new equipment. The unit is also responsible for helping Central Command provide repair services and supporting any actions involving the Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar, which bases use to counterattack incoming mortar rounds. This year the unit has processed $1.7 billion dollars in equipment; last year the amount was $3.4 billion.

    "We are strategically aligned with operational forces," said Hart. "Logistic planners work alongside combat planners to make sure we don't lose any combat power when we're engaging the enemy."

    Hart said the goal of the battalion is to help incoming and outgoing units get the equipment they need to accomplish the mission. The 2nd/402nd AFSB makes that happen by putting the right commodities with the right team.

    "We have to forecast movement so we can effectively support the warfighter," said Hart. "Units need to have a seamless transition into and out of theater. We cannot afford to affect the mission in a negative manner."

    In addition to working with a unit's operations section, the 2nd/402nd AFSB created Redistribution Property Accountability Teams. These RPATs eliminate excess equipment at units in theater prior to transfer of authority or reduction in forces. The RPATs can also assist in transferring excess equipment to other units.

    The 2nd/402nd AFSB has six RPAT teams throughout Iraq; they have a total of 14 management sites, including one in Kuwait. Still there is always the occasional unit that has been unable to be reached until leaving Iraq. Mobile fly-away teams were created last year to speed up item turnover.

    "Units usually build plans, which the reset fly-away teams can handle in theater," said Barnes. "Previously this was done after units had moved into Kuwait, forcing units to spend more time- up to two months –redeploying."

    Closer to the fight, the 2nd/402nd AFSB employs units under the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) to help field equipment. Whether it is sending troops out with the new improvised outer tactical vest or using mechanics to validate the 1114 humvees scheduled for transfer to Iraqi security forces, various means are taken by the unit to get theater material in and out of the hands of service members quickly.

    Sgt. Major Steven Robertson, the senior non-commissioned officer for the 2nd/402nd AFSB, said the turnaround of equipment depends on how fast the paperwork is done.

    "We get eyes on the equipment and make sure it's clean," said Robertson. "An inspection can be completed within a day."

    Although turnaround of equipment is usually done within 72 hours, some people believe it's as simple as walking in and putting in a request for an item; Robertson said his group can't arbitrarily give away equipment.

    "We serve [Multi-National Corps – Iraq] so we can't assume ownership of equipment," Robertson said. "You would still go through your regular supply system first, which means going through a contractor. We come into play in reference to accountability."

    That means that all of 2nd/ 402nd AFSB's personnel must keep an open dialogue with one another. Demetra Hayes, the unit's communication officer, is in charge of providing voice and data command to over 18 forward operating bases in Iraq. Hayes, a DA civilian, said people can't let their affiliations get in the way of the job.

    "In order to succeed, we must be able to talk to one another," Hayes said. "At a moment's notice, we can have a request come to us or an accountability issue that requires a quick response."

    Barnes said whether they're a service member or a civilian, the 2nd/402nd AFSB can be counted on to help get equipment out to those who need it.

    "Our folks know the inner workings of the business and the people they are working for," he said.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.30.2008
    Date Posted: 08.30.2008 14:41
    Story ID: 23042
    Location: BALAD, IQ

    Web Views: 1,375
    Downloads: 849

    PUBLIC DOMAIN