Motor Transport keeps Marines in the fight

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Woodall | Marines with Motor Transport Company A, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), use material handling equipment known as a Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated steering, Multi-purpose vehicle, or TRAM, to deliver supplies to units stationed on Forward Operating Base Delhi, Afghanistan, Nov. 1. The Motor Transport companies help CLB-3 accomplish their mission of providing combat logistics support to units within Regimental Combat Team 1 by moving supplies throughout Afghanistan's Helmand province.  

CAMP DWYER, AFGHANISTAN

11.06.2010

Story by Cpl. Daniel Woodall 

1st Marine Logistics Group

CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan –The Marines and sailors of Combat Logistics Battalion 3, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) arrived here last month in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) and to provide combat logistics support to units within Regimental Combat Team 1.

The battalion’s two motor transport companies will support this mission by delivering much-needed supplies to units in forward areas.

According to 1st Lt. Brian Basile, 26, platoon commander, 2nd Platoon, Motor Transport Company A, CLB-3, 1st MLG (FWD), motor transport companies provide continuous logistics support to requesting units in the entire area of operations in a timely, tactical and safe manner.

Despite beginning independent operations only a few weeks ago, the approximately 250 Marines comprising CLB-3’s motor transport companies have already conducted nearly 20 combat logistics patrols and delivered hundreds of pallets of supplies, including food, water, mail, storage containers and more than 60,000 gallons of fuel.

In order to accomplish the mission of supplying several units in a vast area of operations, both motor transport companies use a wide array of vehicles on any given convoy. These include mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles for personnel transport, logistics vehicle systems for large loads of cargo and rough terrain forklifts for on-site movement of supplies.

“Our primary focus [as a motor transport company] is to support the units who continue to conduct combat missions out here,” said Staff Sgt. Robert L. McClures, platoon sergeant, 2nd Platoon, Motor Transport Co. A, CLB-3, 1st MLG (FWD), and a native of Arcadia, Fla. “[USMC] motor transport is reliable, dependable, and when we’re asked to do something, we get the mission done.”

As a Marine Corps unit, a motor transport company’s capabilities are not limited to the transport and delivery of provisions.

The companies are also trained on various weapons systems in order to provide their own route security, and they are prepared to conduct vehicle recovery missions for themselves and other supported units.

Motorized transport is extremely important here in Afghanistan, said Cpl. Francisco Brito, 21, vehicle operator, 2nd Platoon, Motor Transport Co. A, CLB-3, 1st MLG (FWD).

Given the conditions here, aerial resupply isn’t always an option whereas ground convoys can be used more consistently.

With a redeployment timeframe of spring 2011, the motor transport companies have a long road ahead of them. Fortunately, having already traversed thousands of miles throughout Afghanistan’s Helmand province, the road is a familiar one.

• Date Taken: 11.06.2010
• Date Posted: 11.06.2010 08:09
• Story ID: 59549
• Location: CAMP DWYER, AF