GarryOwen soldiers head south, pass through Kalsu

CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION KALSU, IRAQ

11.04.2011

Story by Sgt. John Couffer 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE KALSU, Iraq – The journey for GarryOwen soldiers began at Joint Base Balad; driving for about five and a half hours through moderately congested traffic, heading south en route to their next stop.

The convoy, comprised of soldiers assigned to Troop A, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, the tip of GarryOwen’s southern movement, stop for fuel, food and rest at the Convoy Support Center managed by the Ironhorse Brigade, here, Nov. 4.

“Apache Troop is the lead element, so we are the spearhead for the squadron in moving south in the transition,” said Sarasota, Fla. native, Capt. Marc Jason, Apache Troop commander. “It’s an uneventful drive so far, which is always a plus. Our guys [will] stay vigilant and hopefully it continues to be uneventful.”

Contingency Operating Site Kalsu has hosted 12 units, like 1-7 Cav., as they passed through during their transitional move to Kuwait, drawing Operation New Dawn to a close.

During their stay, these units have the opportunity to take advantage of the still-open facilities.

Jason explains having access to amenities such as a dining facility that provides hot meals, Green Beans Coffee, Spaware sites and the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center plays a big role in raising the morale of Apache Soldiers and revitalizing the body as Apache readies itself to continue their drive further south.

Passing through Kalsu presents Apache soldiers an opportunity to see old friends they have been away from since being detached to JBB.

“It’s good to see how things are going, meet battle buddies you haven’t seen for awhile, and shake hands on a note of success before continuing our mission,” Jason said.

The location of COS Kalsu gives traveling units the opportunity to have its vehicles inspected before continuing south.

“From the logistical point, it provides us an opportunity to refuel our vehicles, verify that they are still road worthy, and address any issues from the road march this way,” said Nashville, Tenn. native, Staff Sgt. Fred Drolick II, maintenance supervisor assigned to Apache.

He gives credit to the maintenance team located at Kalsu assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment of the Ironhorse Brigade, for being able to help with his vehicles after coordinating prior to arriving at Kalsu.

For some, stopping at Kalsu is a nice reprieve from these long missions.

“It feels pretty good, we get to stop and get your morale boosted up again,” said Maysville, Okla. native, Pfc. Richard Tyler, a cavalry scout assigned to Apache Troop.

Tyler said he was excited to stop at a place with a dining facility and internet due to those services being cut at Balad before he left.

He was also glad to get some sleep and re-energized before getting on the road again.

Kalsu will continue to play a role for units going south as the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq continues.

“For units passing through, it provides a really great opportunity to get the maintenance, the rest and downtime support,” Jason concluded. “Personal recovery is just as important as vehicles, so it’s a great opportunity to stop and get that support through the Convoy Support Center.”

• Date Taken: 11.04.2011
• Date Posted: 11.10.2011 05:44
• Story ID: 79831
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION KALSU, IQ