2/664th Ordnance Detachment Supports the Surge with Class V

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Dennis O. Duniphin, a native of Tonopah, Nev., sorts through a recent amnesty turn in of ammunition.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.25.2009

Courtesy Story

10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — The 2/664th Ordnance Detachment arrived in Iraq on Jan.12. Upon arrival we were tasked with a very demanding mission — take control of the Camp Liberty Ammunition Supply Point.

The ASP is tasked with providing timely service to Multi-National Division - Baghdad units focused around the receiving, configuring, inspecting, managing, issuing, shipping and retrograding of ammunition stocks for all of our war fighting units. The 2/664th ORD DET ASP is the second largest in Iraq and has the second highest numbers when it comes the shipping, receiving, and issuing ammunition.

Upon arrival, the 2/664th ORD DET had to complete the transfer of authority from 24th ORD. The process includes doing a complete inventory of all the ammunition held in the ASP. This is a very time-consuming process when it comes to counting a thousand lot numbers.

In addition to completing a 100 percent inventory the platoon has been working on various improvement projects throughout the Ammunition Supply Point as well as making their mark. Some of these improvements include providing adequate break areas for the Soldiers to get out of the heat, improving HESCO barriers for added protection, and laying gravel to provide ease of movement for transportation assets.

As soon as the transfer of authority was completed, a major task was presented. This task was to coordinate the movement of 64, 463L Air Force pallets of ammunition from Camp Liberty to Afghanistan in support of the current surge. The Soldiers worked countless hours inventorying all the required ammunition in preparation for the shipment. This includes inspecting the ammunition to verify it is serviceable, tracking the lot numbers, and verifying the Department of Defense Identification Codes.

After gathering all the ammunition, the Soldiers have to band it to wooden pallets and secure the ammunition on the pallets. Banding ensures the ammunition does not shift in transit causing unnecessary harm to individuals near the ammunition.

The ammunition has been prepared for shipment and loaded onto a Load Handling System which is basically a big flatbed truck. The detachment is also responsible for the movement of the ammunition to Baghdad International Airport. Once the LHS's arrive at BIAP the Soldiers download the pallets and load it into the belly of a C-130.

While it may not sound like a lot, this process can take days to actually complete. In the scheme of things, the detachment was able to accomplish the mission and supply our war fighters in Afghanistan with more than 868,000 rounds and more than 5802 kgs total net explosive weight.

In addition to the standard mission, the detachment has been diligently training in additional areas of expertise. Second Mag has been focusing on counter improvised explosive device Level 1 and 2. To date we have achieved 100 percent in Level 1 and have trained 42 Soldiers in Level 2.

We have also been working on getting all our Soldiers Combat Life Saver Certified. This class is vital to all our Soldiers especially as the temperatures begin to rise in Iraq. During the training, the Soldiers received intense training on how to aid a heat casualty in addition to many other life-saving skills.

The last few months have been very exciting in the 2/664th Ord. Det. We continue to take on new taskings in addition to our current mission and continue to exceed the standard. As ammunition comes in we take control to ensure our customers receive the first-class service they deserve.

We support the climb!

• Date Taken: 05.25.2009
• Date Posted: 05.25.2009 10:29
• Story ID: 34062
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ