Doing their parts

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

02.25.2012

Story by 2nd Lt. Jessica Jackson 

223rd Engineer Battalion

KANDAHAR AIRFIED, Afghanistan – When most people think of the Army, they think of the infantry or engineers while overlooking the true backbone of the whole operation, maintenance and distribution.

Members of the 223rd Engineer Battalion / Task Force Knight Forward Support Company recently sat down to explain why their logistical operations are the heart of the Army.

The main function of the FSC, based out of Aberdeen, is distribution and their secondary function is maintenance. The distribution section ensures that all the battalion’s underlying units are supplied with repair parts and components needed for the maintenance of their equipment or Class IX and providing individual equipment or Class II for the Task Force.

“We coordinate with the liaison officer to see what supplies and spare parts are needed, then load them up and move out to the different FOBs [forward operating base],” Sgt. 1st Class Roger Taylor, distribution platoon sergeant, said.

The unit services six FOBs throughout RC-South. When essential supplies are needed at these FOBs, the distribution platoon will run combat logistical patrols to those units. These CLP can take anywhere from two to five days depending on the distance being traveled. FSC will usually run a CLP several times a week.

“My guys are very busy, we’ve ran about 32 CLPs and covered over 16,000 miles since we’ve gotten in country,” said 1st Lt. Tommy Miller, distribution platoon leader, “They are called on a lot and do whatever it takes to ensure the other units have what they need.”

The other half of FSC operations, maintenance, also has the important task of ensuring that equipment remains functional.

“We can service vehicles and do repairs,” said Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Deavens, maintenance platoon sergeant, “we also have recovery assets and loan out our unit’s personal vehicles for maintenance support for the trace units.”

While the members of the FSC don’t have the most glamorous job, it is important that the unit remains functional. In the motor pool, where the majority of FSC works out of, it is clear that their operations are essential to the success of the route clearance patrols. If the unit were not able to function properly, it would have a detrimental impact the battalion’s whole operation. The motor pool works as the central distribution point for the battalion. As Capt. Joshua Ulrich, FSC Company commander, says the unit works similarly to a FedEx. It houses and distributes products as needed and when it is needed.

The company also helps to assist the incoming units with weapons qualification. According to Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Jones, they also draw the rifle ranges on Kandahar Airfield and help to supply the ammo.

The company is fast approaching its three month mark in country and has worked out the kinks in their operation, so that there’s a smooth operation between the maintenance and distribution.

“We’ve come a long way in this deployment, but things are working out,” Taylor said, “this is like our ‘walk phase.'”

“We are actually range walking,” Deavens added, “not quite running, but we’re getting there.”

Working conditions in the motor pool can be less than favorable, especially when the unit has to work during inclement weather. However, the soldiers of 223rd FSC Eng. Bn. understand the importance of their job, and the lifeline that their work creates. While every issue may not be perfectly worked out, the unit is doing an commendable job with the assets they have.

“I can’t say enough good things about these guys,” said Miller, “I’m extremely proud they’ve been able to preserve. They’re doing an outstanding job.”

The 223rd Eng. Bn. / Task Force Knight was mobilized on Oct. 1, 2011, to help the continual efforts of the U.S. Army during Operation Enduring Freedom.

• Date Taken: 02.25.2012
• Date Posted: 03.16.2012 03:13
• Story ID: 85333
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF
• Hometown: ABERDEEN, MISSISSIPPI, US