Pulling together

Photo By Michael Vanpool | Logisticians from throughout Regional Command East gathered for a Logistics Synchronization Conference on Bagram Air Field, May 14 and 15. The conference allowed the commanders of the various task forces a chance to work together and sort out problems to better resupply service members in eastern Afghanistan.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

05.14.2011

Story by Spc. Michael Vanpool 

101st Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – The 101st Sustainment Brigade “Task Force Lifeliner” conducted a Logistics Synchronization Conference for logistics elements in Regional Command East this weekend.

The LogSync further coordinated multiple logistical elements in RC-East, allowing each task force to break down their responsibilities and how they can assist each other support the warfighter.

“For 10 years, we fought Afghanistan one year at a time,” said Maj. Joe Suddith, the brigade support operations officer in charge. “With different units coming in at different times, we felt it was necessary to get all the logisticians together to make sure everyone knows the systems in place.

“The work we’re doing is to improve those systems and make sure the warfighter receives what they need in a timely manner,” Suddith said.

Logisticians from throughout RC-East included the 101st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division and the various brigade support battalions. Units from the Defense Logistics Agency, Army Material Command, and Department of Defense contractors also attended the conference to synchronize their efforts.

“The point of the conference is to get together and discuss logistics challenges and how they can work together to fix them,” said Cpt. Marjorie Cahuasqui, brigade support operations Class V (Ammunition) officer in charge.

“All logistics elements came together to discuss logistical challenges and choke points in their area of operations. All task forces here gave a battle field review brief and identified choke points,” she said.
The conference comes as new brigade combat teams arrive, with their respective brigade support battalions, as well as 1st Cavalry Division, who took over the responsibility of RC-East from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) this past month.

As briefings ensued, the different task force commanders were able to learn from each other and work through problems to become more efficient in their logistical duties.

“Here we have guys that are two months away from transferring out, guys that are six months away from transferring, so it’s good to hear what they’ve learned here,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Morrow, the commander of the 325th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division “Task Force Bronco.” Morrow and Task Force Bronco took over responsibility of the Laghlan province this past month.

Each of the BSB commanders reviewed their battle space, and how they resupply service members in their brigade combat teams. The various sections of support operations for the 101st Sust. Bde. also explained to the BSB commanders and SPO officers how they can help them receive the supplies and equipment they need to complete their missions.

“We briefed for the six months we’ve been here, kind of like an azimuth check,” Cahuasqui said, who helped organize the conference. “Where we’re at, what we’ve done and where we’re going.”

The breakdown of the elements within the Lifeliner SPO helped the BSBs understand where their different classes of supply come from; in an effort to assist them to work more efficiently.

“It made us look backwards from where we’re at. We know how to push forward to our units,” Morrow said. “At the end of the day, I’ll know where everything comes from, and it’s good to put a face to a name or email.”

• Date Taken: 05.14.2011
• Date Posted: 05.14.2011 11:15
• Story ID: 70371
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF