Class I Yard: Much More than Foodstuffs

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Marcus McDowell, a native of Helena, Mont., a Soldier of the 639th Combat Sustainment Support Company, 398th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, loads a pallet of cinderblocks under the watchful eye of the commander of the attachment of Iraqi police.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.28.2009

Courtesy Story

10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - The 639th Combat Sustainment Support Company Class I Yard, 398th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, supports operational rations and warming and cooling beverage support throughout the Victory Base Complex.

As this is our primary mission, we have been tasked with a very critical secondary mission in order to support the local populace.

The Class I Yard has teamed up with the 5/4 Cavalry unit in order to support a public affairs office mission by supplying various items that are given out to the Iraqi people. This is accomplished through the use of the Iraqi police. Items such as: wheelchairs, school textbooks, lumber, cinderblocks, clothes, and basic food staples are centrally located at the Class I Yard by 5-4 Cavalry and dispatched by the Iraqi police. The Class I Yard provides oversight of the containers (and contents) and material handling equipment support for loading and unloading of the items.

The escorted Iraqi police arrive at the Class I Yard with up to 10 vehicles at a time awaiting the load-out that will be given to them to distribute. The Iraqi police then take the supplies and pass them out among the local populace at the designated area helping the civilians with critical resources. This mission is a reoccurring event and gives the opportunity for Soldiers to have exposure to the Iraqi culture.

The Iraqis benefit from the receipt of much-needed supplies. The class I yard has been fortunate to meet two different sections of the Iraqi police and look forward to meeting many more. We at the Class I Yard are privileged to continue to help in such a humanitarian mission.

• Date Taken: 05.28.2009
• Date Posted: 05.28.2009 09:31
• Story ID: 34216
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ