By 1st Lt. Madison Matakas
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq— Soldiers with the 15th Transportation Company, 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), provide transportation support and retrograde operations with their heavy equipment transporters daily at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.
Whether it is their first, second, or third deployment, each Soldier enjoys different things about the missions.
Some soldiers with 2nd platoon, 15th Trans. Company, said they liked seeing new and different locations in and around the area,
“I find enjoyment getting outside the regular stationed area and seeing new places and gaining new experiences,” said Spc. Matthew Lindstrom, a heavy wheeled vehicle operator with the 15th Trans. Company, and a Post Falls, Idaho, native.
Most of the soldiers said they also enjoyed the opportunities to see new and different places in Iraq outside of COB Adder.
“I enjoy going to different FOBs [Forward Operating Bases]…and seeing what they offer,” said Sgt. Michael Duke, a heavy wheeled vehicle operator with the 15th Trans. Company, and a Batesville, Ark., native. “It’s what gives me the most enjoyment.”
Staff Sgt. Antonia Silva-Warren, a squad leader with 2nd platoon, 15th Trans. Company and a Chicago native, said she enjoys using the HET on the missions. “It’s the equipment we manage and drive… it’s the overall size that I like most, as it is one of the largest transportation vehicles in the U.S. Army’s fleet; the added protection due to its size, and the extra room for Soldiers’ gear is an added plus.”
There are many places for soldiers to visit while operating in Iraq. Some are similar to their primary area of operation, and some are very different. Some FOBs offer United Service Organizations services, which are not available in other areas of the country.
During their short stays for missions on other FOBs or COBs, Soldiers like to use the extra amenities. These include the USO and the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation facilities, which allow Soldiers to unwind from a mission and feel a little sense of home, whether that means playing pool, shooting darts, or relaxing while watching a favorite movie.
There are many ways soldiers spend their deployments; these experiences leave a lasting impression. They include the little extras or special places soldiers visit while on missions outside the normal operating area. These amenities foster a sense of normalcy, comfort, or security for soldiers, while giving them a positive stress outlet and a morale boost, making the unit more effective and mission-ready.
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.25.2010 10:25 |
| Story ID: | 58757 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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