730th Quartermaster supports U.S., coalition troops on Camp Virginia

Photo By Spc. Cal Turner | Staff Sgt. Larry Abram, a Tillery, N.C., native, discusses how to operate a lighting fixture to a contracted worker who will be working at night to set up tents for incoming troops on camp. The 730th oversees everything on the camp from the portable light fixtures to the tents to assuring that the contracted worker complete their assigned tasks.  

01.31.2007

Story by Spc. Deborah Ledesma 

40th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Debrah A. Robertson
40th Public Affairs Detachment

KUWAIT — When a Soldier is tired and dirty after a long day of training with Third Army/U.S. Army Central, he can take a hot shower and fall asleep in his climate-controlled tent. When a Marine is hungry after traveling halfway around the world to get to the deserts of the Middle East, she can rest assured that there is a warm meal awaiting at Camp Virginia, Kuwait.

The 730th Quartermaster Battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Detachments are the command and control element on this desert location and are assigned to the Area Support Group-Kuwait, Third Army/U.S. Army Central, said Maj. Bob Wright, 730th executive officer.

The 730th, based out of Asheville, N.C., is a Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants unit, and that is exactly how they function in the machine that is Camp Virginia—the grease that keeps the wheels moving.

Besides meeting the basic needs of U.S. troops, the 730th is also a liaison between the Coalition forces that cycle through Camp Virginia and their life support on the camp, said Sgt. 1st Class Raphael Hall, Coalition NCO-in-charge for Camp Virginia. They assure the allied forces are supplied with the same conveniences and necessities that are afforded U.S. troops.

The Soldiers of the 730th "logistically support the U.S. and Coalition forces coming from Iraq," said Wright, a Gibsonville, N.C. native.

Not only is the battalion in charge of the camp's basic life essentials such as the dining facilities, the tents, the showers and even the portable latrines, the 730th also creates and manages the camp's budget and its contracts.

"It's a great responsibility, overseeing all of it," said 2nd Lt. Rob Stangel, a detachment commander of the 730th, "but we have a lot of people working for us and with us to make it easier."

"Someone has to check to make sure things get done, that contracts get filled," said Stangel, a Osage, Iowa, native.

By monitoring funding, the 730th "makes sure the government gets what it pays for," he continued.

"We make sure taxpayers' money is spent wisely," added Capt. Ruth Cresenzo, the battalion's contract office representative and Saxapahaw, N.C., native.

Not only does the 730th act as the camp's grease to keep everything functioning, they also act as the glue.

Tracking the number of boots on the ground helps the rest of the camp prepare for the number of Coalition forces on the camp at any given time, said Hall, a Gate, N.C., native.

"It's important for camp accountability and (dining facility) purposes," said Hall on the daily strength report.

The 730th assures that the Coalition forces receive the same amenities as their U.S. counterparts.

All the troops that cycle through the camp are "greased" by the 730th Quartermaster Battalion.

• Date Taken: 01.31.2007
• Date Posted: 01.31.2007 11:17
• Story ID: 9015