HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Marines with Bravo Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), conducted a combat logistics patrol to resupply infantry Marines of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division at Forward Operating Base Geronimo, Afghanistan, Aug. 19.
Combat logistics patrols are missions that logistics Marines regularly conduct to resupply coalition forces deployed to FOB's, combat outposts and patrol bases in Afghanistan with food, water, equipment and supplies needed to conduct counterinsurgency operations.
“Being a prior grunt, I know the importance of having the supplies and the gear to accomplish our missions,” said Sgt. Jason J. Sparks, section leader of Security Platoon, Bravo Co., CLB-5, 1st MLG (FWD). “It’s one team, one fight. So, as long and sleepless as this job can be, I still get the satisfaction knowing that I’ve just given them everything they need to survive and accomplish their missions.”
Based on requests of units operating at the FOB's, COP's and PB's, logistics Marines prepare the load to fit the units’ needs the day prior to the mission, explained Sparks, 30, from Lander, Wyo. Once the loading is completed, they begin the logistical movement. Depending on the units’ needs and where they are located, the type of transport is then determined. Trucking the gear to the units via combat logistics patrol is the most commonly used method of delivering supplies.
According to Sparks, a combat logistics patrol consists of a security team that provides security to the mission, a wrecker team that recovers broken down vehicles and a command element to take charge of the entire operation.
“Once we arrive at our destination, we start unloading supplies at designating locations and load up any battle damaged gear and equipment they have to backhaul,” said Sparks. “We backhaul as much stuff as we possibly can to make the most out of the trip.”
These resupply missions keep the Marines supplied with the gear they need to continue supporting International Security Assistance Force operations.