“Lifeline” Battalion leaders discuss logistics with Iraqi partner at Joint Security Station Jihad, Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Dale Farrand, center, commander of the 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division-Center and a Billings, Mont., native, talks with fellow logistics officer, Iraqi Federal Police Col. Kareem, commander of the 4th IFP Division's Logistics Battalion, during Farrand's tour of the 4th IFP Division's facilities at Joint Security Station Jihad, Iraq, March 14, 2011. The 4th IFP's Logistics Battalion is the newest unit of the Iraqi Security Forces that the 299th BSB has been partnered with to provide mentorship. (Photo by: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Carlos Santiago-Rodriguez)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

03.14.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

Story by 1st Lt. Anna Johnson

BAGHDAD — Soldiers with the 299th “Lifeline” Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center recently partnered with the 4th Iraqi Federal Police Division’s Logistics Battalion, the newest of eight different Iraqi Security Forces units the Lifeline Battalion is currently partnered with to provide mentorship.


Lt. Col. Dale Farrand, commander of the 299th BSB and a Billings, Mont., native, Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin Jordan, command sergeant major of the 299th BSB and an Alapaha, Ga., native, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Carlos Santiago-Rodriguez, a logistics advisor with the 299th BSB and a Huntsville, Ala., native, met with IFP Col. Kareem, commander of the 4th IFP Division’s Logistics Battalion, March 14 at Joint Security Station Jihad, Iraq.

“[We met] to find out what sort of training our partnered unit would benefit from, and then we coordinate and organize the training with the companies in the battalion,” Santiago-Rodriguez said.

During the meeting, Kareem gave a tour of his facilities, discussed the continued partnership between the battalions, and hosted lunch for his visitors.

Santiago-Rodriguez said he is hopeful that the established relationship between the two battalions will lead to a long and beneficial partnership.

“[Kareem] was very interested in the training we can offer him,” Santiago-Rodriguez said. “He wished for more [meetings] in the future.”

The Lifeline Battalion is charged with supporting the 2nd AAB with supplies, maintenance, and medical assets to sustain the brigade in all of its operations. As part of the wider U.S. mission in Iraq, the battalion has taken on the task of advising, training, and assisting both IFP and Iraqi Army units within the Baghdad area on logistics—the “Lifeline” Battalion’s area of expertise.

A logistics advisor team from the battalion supports the 2nd AAB’s Stability Transition Teams, groups of senior officers who work directly with the ISF, and is comprised of officers and noncommissioned officers who act as liaisons between the STTs and the battalion’s companies.

The “Lifeline” Battalion has already conducted numerous training missions, from basic medical training to vehicle maintenance with its other partnered ISF units in the Baghdad area, and plan to do so with its new partners.

Santiago-Rodriguez is already working to coordinate training for the 4th IFP Division on medical operations and vehicle maintenance.

“I think the thing I have enjoyed the most working as a logistics advisor is the interaction with the Iraqi people,” Santiago-Rodriguez said. “They have the same difficulties we do, and it has been an experience spending time with them and trying to help them as much as possible.”

• Date Taken: 03.14.2011
• Date Posted: 04.01.2011 01:52
• Story ID: 68073
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ