by Spc Yolanda Moreno Leon
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, Iraq (October 11, 2006)–Transporting water and fuel through the rough and hard streets of Mosul, Iraq, to other Forward Operating Bases and Combat Out Posts is not an easy task, but for the Soldiers of 296th Brigade Support Battalion located on FOB Marez, it is just another mission that has to be accomplished.

Soldiers of the 296th BSB make daily runs to other military bases in Iraq so that Soldiers at these remote locations have water and fuel to complete their missions.

"It's an important job to make sure these Soldiers have fuel and water," said Sgt. Leonard Harris, fuel distribution, Company A, 296th BSB. "I normally drive two to three times a week to different FOB's ensuring they have proper supplies."

According to Harris, the unit usually delivers about 3000 gallons of water each week to each FOB and COP. The BSB usually re-supplies about three times per week. "We normally transport the same amount of fuel," he said.

Stryker's usually clears the route and engineers that perform a route sweep to make the route safer.

"Intel plays a big part on our operations," said 1st Sgt Tia Toese, Co. A, 296th BSB. "I think the brigade does an excellent job of analyzing threat areas, identifying routes that are safest for our unit to move and conduct re-supply missions."

With the assistance of the BSB, Soldiers will never be without water and fuel.