Communication has helped better prepare 1153rd

Photo By Master Sgt. Matthew Keeler | (Left to right) 1st Lt. Eugene Ingalls, commander of the outgoing 528th Financial Management Detachment, and a Coudersport, Pa., native, and Capt. Charlton Matthews, commander of the incoming 1153rd Financial Management Detachment, and a Jacksonville, Fla., native, are part of the 24th Financial Management Company, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). Here they go over the different procedures and work to be done at Victory Base Complex, Iraq, during the training cross over between both units.  

VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, IRAQ

12.27.2010

Story by Sgt. Matthew Keeler 

103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Iraq - The ending of the 528th Financial Management Detachments time at Victory Base Complex means that it’s time for the 1136th FMD to take over the financial mission at VBC, Iraq, Jan. 5.

When the 528th initially arrived in country there were a lot more soldiers on VBC because combat missions were still taking place. Since the drawdown, it’s not only combat troops that have left Iraq, but other finance units too.

The other locations on VBC like Camp Slayer, are not large enough for finance offices to be opened or kept running on a daily basis. The 528th has adapted, running finance missions to support the soldiers and civilians alike to offer them cash and help deal with issues that they might have with Eagle Cash.

“We picked up more permanent sights and had to cover down on more dispersing agent locations, “ said 1st Lt. Eugene Ingalls, commander of the 528th Financial Management Detachment, 24th Financial Management Company, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Coudersport, Pa., native.

“It was a bit stressful, but we remained flexible and stepped up to the plate,” he said. “We handled the largest financial mission in theater.”

The amount of customers might be similar on paper, but the pressure of getting to these soldiers has changed.

What has helped the 528th handle these changes and better develop these soldiers is their non-commissioned officer leadership. Ten of the 11 NCOs in the unit have been previously deployed either to Kosovo, Afghanistan, or Iraq. For a few NCOs it will be their third or fourth tour.

“Most of our NCOs have been here and done the job,” Ingalls said. “It helps the mission when you have NCOs with experience who can lead the other soldiers through a deployment.”

Now with the change of mission, the 1136th is prepared because of the constant communication that has developed between Ingalls and Capt. Charlton Matthews, he said.

“Since Oct. 2009, we have been in contact with the 528th,” said Matthews, commander of the 1153rd Financial Management Detachment, 24 FM Company, and a Jacksonville, Fla., native.

“Matthews and I have had numerous conversations over the phone, email, and even Skype,” said Ingalls. “I wanted to make sure that they knew at all times what was happening here, and they were prepared to come here and succeed.”

Through this constant communication, the 1136th is better prepared to face the changes in theater with the support of the 528th.

“A turn-key operation, where our computers were set up for us, so all we had to do was get into country to begin working,” said Matthews.

With the arrival of the new unit, it’s their first deployment and for a couple of soldiers it’s their first real experience in the Army.

“While at AIT [Advanced Individual Training] at Fort Jackson, S.C., I found out that I was deploying,” said Pvt. Lucia Cruz, cashier with the 1153rd FMD, 24th FM Company.

For Cruz, learning that she was deploying was not terrible or scary news, she said. “I was just more concerned how to tell my parents.”

This deployment is special for Cruz, because during Basic Combat Training she earned her citizenship, she said.

“I came to this country at 19 years old as a legal citizen from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and then I became a U.S. citizen before I finished BCT,” she said. “I don’t feel special. It’s just unique that I’ve become a U.S. citizen, a U.S. soldier, and now I’m across the world defending my country.”

Another soldier in 1153rd FMD is experiencing more than just his first tour of duty in Iraq.

“I was a bit nervous at first, when I learned that we were deploying,” said Pfc. Troy Edenfield, cashier with the 1153rd FMD, 24 FM Company, and a St. Augustine, Fla., native. “I’ve never been outside of the United States, let alone across an ocean.”

“For the 528th, we have accomplished our goal to help the soldiers here,” said Sgt. Sandra Salazar, chief of military pay for the 528th FMD, 24th FM Company, and a Sarasota, Fla., native.

“If a soldier experienced a problem with their pay, then it was my problem until it was fixed,” said Salazar.

“I’m proud of myself and the United States,” said Cruz. “The 528th have given us a lot of great guidance and making sure that we are prepared before they leave.”

• Date Taken: 12.27.2010
• Date Posted: 01.16.2011 16:41
• Story ID: 63652
• Location: VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, IQ
• Hometown: COUDERSPORT, PA, US