Quartermasters Conduct Laundry Mission at JSS War Paint

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Armando Munoz, a shower, laundry and clothing repair specialist with the 540th Quartermaster Company and El Paso, TX native, tosses bundles of clean laundry to Spc. Joshua Butler, a SLCR specialist with the 540th Quartermaster Company and Wahiawa, Hawaii, native. (Photos by: 1st Lt. Michael Shear)  

JOINT SECURITY STATION WAR PAINT, IRAQ

02.21.2011

Courtesy Story

3rd Division Sustainment Brigade

By: 1st Lt. Michael Shear

JOINT SECURITY STATION WAR PAINT, Iraq — As the U.S. forces’ mission in Iraq draws down, more and more small bases are left without contracted laundry facilities.

In order to keep soldiers operating at these locations clean and healthy, the 540th Quartermaster Company (Field Service), 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), employs the Laundry Advanced System to clean uniforms and light textiles.

Usually, the conditions tend to be fairly austere in places such as Joint Security Station War Paint, where specialized soldiers are needed. These soldiers thrive on improving the quality of life for the troops who are constantly outside the wire. Spc. Armando Munoz, a shower, laundry and clothing repair specialist with the 540th QM Company, and an El Paso, Texas, native, said the best part of his job is "making sure that the soldiers [that the SCLR specialists] are supporting have clean laundry so they can perform their duties without the risk of sickness.”

Munoz added that having clean laundry is also a morale-booster.

The LADS is the machine that these soldiers use to clean laundry. This system is capable of supporting up to a battalion-sized element with each soldier cleaning two bags per week.

However, the machine wasn't designed to operate in some of the conditions seen in Iraq, from 140-degree temperatures to extremely dry air, plus the constant use combines to form a tough job just to maintain operation. Fortunately, the 540th QM Company soldiers are experts at their preventive maintenance checks and services.

"Once you are knowledgeable on how to operate the LADS, it is a very easy system to maintain," said Spc. Diamond Wilson, an SLCR specialist with the 540th QM Co., and an Elliston, Va., native.

Sometimes the most difficult part of a deployment is the monotony. It is no different for Munoz.

"The most challenging part is in-processing and out-processing of clothes because it is so tedious, but working as a team and maintaining a positive attitude and a sense of humor helps out," he said.

But for these soldiers, the efforts they put forth on a day-to-day basis is worth the reward of helping their fellow comrades in arms.

"It's been rewarding knowing one is doing something for a greater good," said Munoz.

Their objective is to increase sanitation, cleanliness and morale. "It's a good feeling inside just knowing you made someone's day a little bit better," said Wilson.

• Date Taken: 02.21.2011
• Date Posted: 03.06.2011 03:30
• Story ID: 66556
• Location: JOINT SECURITY STATION WAR PAINT, IQ