CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait - “The Last Patrol,” consisting of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, started rolling into Kuwait, Aug. 18, as part of the Responsible Drawdown of Forces in Iraq.
The 4/2 SBCT, “Raiders” started their two-day “road march,” from Baghdad to Kuwait, Aug. 16. A subsequent battalion of Strykers rumbled into Camp Virginia four nights in a row beginning Aug. 18, where they were met by personnel from the 249th Quartermaster Company, 2nd Battalion, 402nd AFSB, who were on hand to de-install, inventory, package and relieve accountability of systems from the Raiders.
"Supporting the redeployment of the 4/2 [SBCT] was our first mission in Kuwait and was a culminating mission for our year-long deployment supporting the Responsible Drawdown of Forces,” said Capt. Matthew Haistings, commander, 249th QM Company. “We’re proud to have been part of this historical mission."
4th Stryker Brigade leadership decided early in their deployment they would keep their Stryker combat vehicles until the last possible moment, preserving their combat capability until the day they left Iraq. In addition to being the last combat brigade in Iraq, they wanted to demonstrate their confidence in Iraqi security. The ensuing road march resulted in two long and hot nights, stretching from Baghdad to Camp Virginia. Each Stryker Battalion moved itself organically to Camp Virginia with zero incidents.
Waiting at Camp Virginia was perhaps the largest mobile Army Materiel Command team assembled to date. More than 125 DoD civilians, Soldiers and contractors awaited the arrival of the Strykers.
“I worked with some very talented and skillful soldiers, contractors, and DA Civilians from the 2nd [Battalion] 402nd AFSB, who all make up the MRPAT Team in support of the Responsible Drawdown,” said Damiene White, wholesale responsible officer, 2nd Bn., 402nd AFSB. “Seeing so much equipment leaving Iraq to various locations across world is a high indication that we are still "Keeping It Moving" and supporting our number one customer, the Warfighter.”
Contractors from Rhino, Warlock, OSVRT and PM Stryker greeted the Raider soldiers and immediately got to work. The Rhino and Warlock systems provide Improvised Explosive Device protection to soldiers in Stykers and other, combat vehicles. The OSVRT is a system allowing local commanders to control and receive live feeds from unmanned Ariel vehicles and surveillance aircraft in their area. PM Stryker is from General Dynamics, and was there to bring the Strykers back to GD for retrofit and upgrade.
Upon each battalion’s arrival, the motor pool became a hub of activity. Soldiers from the 4/2 SBCT quickly downloaded their vehicles, personal and unit gear, and started the process of turning-in their “homes” of the past 12 months.
De-installers climbed over the Strykers, removing items and, Warlock antennas quickly disappeared while Rhino Counter IED systems were spread throughout the yard. When de-installation was completed, the unit was relieved of responsibility for the items.
The Mobile Redistribution Property Assistance Team from 249th QM Company, accepted Theater Provided Equipment and Automatic Reset Induction equipment acquired throughout the unit’s mission. Property Book Team 10, from 2nd Bn., 402nd AFSB hammered through the paperwork requirements assisting the unit in ensuring they would clear their books expediently.
All parties worked together with a common focus - clear 4/2 SBCT’s books and enable them to leave country as expeditiously as possible.
During the handover, the 249th QM Company, accepted more than 500 items for RESET and as a whole, the 402nd AFSB accepted more than1,500 items, including just over 300 Stryker Combat Vehicles.
“It was a rewarding experience, seeing history take place before your eyes,” White said.
Two days after the last convoy rolled into the staging yards here, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, cased its colors and prepared for the final leg of its trip – the flight bringing them home to the United States.
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.07.2010 08:21 |
| Story ID: | 57665 |
| Location: | CAMP VIRGINA, KW |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
This work, The Last Patrol: 402nd AFSB assists last combat brigade leaving Iraq, by 1LT Eric Nilsen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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