724th thanks supporting units

Courtesy Photo | One of 724th Transportation Company trailers is loaded and tied down in pristine condition due to the 631st Maintenance Company and the 298th Maint. Company. (Photo by Sgt. Jenna Reese)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IRAQ

06.06.2010

Courtesy Story

13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command (13th ESC)

By Sgt. Jenna Reese
13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq– The 724th Transportation Company from Bartonville, Ill., is drawing close to the end of its deployment, but before leaving, the unit commander, Maj. Sean Counihan of Norwich, Conn., extended his unit's appreciation to the companies who gave the Illinois crew a helping hand throughout this deployment.

"I'm not sure if we would have been able to achieve the same results without the help of the 631st Maintenance Company, the 298th Maintenance Company and the 3666th Support Maintenance Company," he said. "All of these units provided unprecedented support to the 724th Transportation Company that had a direct effect on the successful accomplishment of our mission."

The 631st Maint. Company from Starke, Fla., came from Contingency Operating Base Q-West to provide support to the newly established Trailer Transfer Points located in COB Speicher, Joint Base Balad and COB Marez. The trailers run back and forth between these bases moving necessary cargo from one base to another. First Lt. Angel Reynoso and Sgt. 1st Class Eric Carroll, both from Starke, Fla., brought with them 16 Soldiers to maintain the serviceability of the 724th Trans. Company's trailers. They made certain the trailers were up to date on all of their routine services and fixed all broken trailers, ensuring they were mission capable. Their efforts also helped the 724th Trans. Company maintain 100-percent accountability of all trailers while they were on other bases.

"First Lieutenant Reynoso and his team have done an amazing job at helping the start-up of the TTP," said 1st Sgt. Christopher Haines of Washington, Ill. "We appreciate everything they have done to help us. I would also like to welcome the 298th as they carry on the tradition with the trailers."

The 298th Maint. Company from Altoona, Pa., was assigned to take over the maintenance of the trailers not long after the 631st Maint. Company left. Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Hammond and Staff Sgt. Brian Batory brought 16 Soldiers with them to conduct this operation. They hit the ground running, making a smooth transition between the two companies. Their Maintenance Support Team is scheduled to remain on COB Speicher after the 724th Trans. Company leaves, ensuring the replacement company runs just as efficiently.

Lastly, the 3666th SMC from Camp Taji came to COB Speicher to help out by gauging all of the company's weapons. The team specifically came to COB Speicher to inspect the 724th Trans. Company's weapons. The assistance provided by Staff Sgt. George Alarcon, Spc. Tyler Johnson, and Spc. Anthony Makar, all from Phoenix, Ariz., enabled the 724th Trans. Company to continue their mission while getting their weapons serviced and inspected.

"The 3666th was very flexible in their schedule, which helped us work around mission time to get all of the weapons gauged. They were very professional and timely in their jobs," said Haines.

Overall, these three units had a direct impact on the 724th Trans. Company's operational readiness. Their assistance not only helped maintain the fleet of flatbed trailers above 89 percent mission capable status, but the effective and efficient gauging of unit weapons didn't hinder the completion of any assigned missions, Haines said.

• Date Taken: 06.06.2010
• Date Posted: 06.06.2010 11:21
• Story ID: 50946
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ