Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Nicolas Morales | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Thomas Wanket, a Pea Ridge, Ark., native, the non-commissioned...... read more read more
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Logistics, the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies, has always been important on the battlefield. The movement of supplies across a combat zone has evolved over the course of our military’s growth. From moving supplies via railways to airdropping supplies in the remotest locations around the globe with precision and accuracy, it’s the Army’s logistics soldiers making it happen.
A military occupation often overlooked is transportation management coordinator, or 88N as the Army calls them.
Staff Sgt. Thomas Wanket, an 88N and native of Pea Ridge, Ark., works in the Combined Joint Task Force-1 Joint Transportation Office, or JTO. The JTO shop has the responsibility of moving supplies ranging from ammunition to vehicles, supplying units on the ground with equipment necessary to make them combat effective.
As the non-commissioned officer in charge of the shop, it’s Wanket’s responsibility to monitor the divisions KC-130 aircraft moving equipment and personnel throughout theatre.
“Basically everything transporting in or out of theater, it’s what we do here,” said Wanket.
A 16-year veteran of the Marine Corps, Wanket joined the Army for more opportunities. His combined time in the Marines and the Army has called him to deploy six times. He has served five deployments to Iraq in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, and is currently serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
“No two days are the same,” said Wanket. “There’s always something changing, always something that keeps you thinking.”
“I’m here to support the warfighter on the ground, to make sure he has the beans, bullets and Band-Aids to continue the fight. I keep the supplies moving so the guys on the ground can keep doing what they're doing,” said Wanket.
Wanket’s military experience in both the Marines and the Army has been in logistics with a tour as a recruiter.
With more than 20 years of military service, retirement is Wanket’s next step.
“I plan to retire in Arkansas to tend my 60-acre cattle ranch with my wife and do a little transportation work on the side,” said Wanket.
It’s non-commissioned officers like Wanket that make the fight on the ground for the warfighter easier. Thanks to him they have everything they need to restore safety and security to the people of eastern Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2012 04:52 |
| Story ID: | 90426 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 321 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Beans, bullets and Band-Aids Moving supplies across the battlefield keeps the warfighter equipped, by SFC Nicolas Morales, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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