FORT LEE, Va. — A Congressional Delegation visited the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) command post exercise here April 20 to observe sustainment training operations.
The delegation, which included U.S. Congressman Randy Forbes, from the 4th district of Virginia, Maj. Gen. James E. Chambers, commanding general, Combined Arms Support Command, the oversight authority for the exercise, and retired Lt. Gen. David Weissman, currently the civilian attaché to the secretary of the Army from Virginia, toured Fort Lee's Joint Distribution Laboratory where the exercise was conducted.
Staff members and Soldiers of the 13th briefed the delegation on the current situation and operational environment, demonstrated convoy tracking technology and answered questions.
Brig. Gen. Paul L. Wentz, commanding general, 13th ESC, described the purpose of the exercise and emphasized the importance of a state of the art facility at Fort Lee, the Army's logistics knowledge management center, for preparing sustainment units for the fight ahead.
Wentz said the training here is ideal for the sustainment mission because of the facility and the availability of subject matter experts.
The training exercises for sustainment units in preparation for deployments involve mentors from the nearby Army Logistics Management College.
"We bring in folks who are currently deployed to help mentor the units with current logistics issues," added Chambers, whose resume includes being a former commander of the 13th.
To finish off the demonstration, Staff Sgt. Rogelio C. Bernales, staff movement non-commissioned officer, support operations, 13th ESC showed the delegation how sustainment commands in theater track convoys using the battle command sustainment support system.
Afterwards, Forbes addressed the Soldiers of the 13th, asking who had already deployed in support of Operations Iraqi/Enduring Freedom. Almost every Soldier raised his or her hand.
"You all have some experience then," the congressman said.
"We're trying to get more units like yours mobilized for training here," said Weissman.