Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alejandro Licea | Spc. Jasmine Bryant, controlled substance specialist, assigned to the 32nd...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Alex Licea
USARCENT
LSA ANACONDA, Iraq - Numbers are a big part of the day-to-day operations for Soldiers assigned to Company A, 32nd Multifunctional Medical Battalion, based out of Fort Bragg, N.C.
Take Maj. Christopher David. As a support operations officer, the Seekonk, Mass., native must analyze more than $10 million worth of medical equipment and supplies being shipped and distributed into Iraq and track the movement of more than 615,000 pounds of cargo a month supporting over 450 units in Iraq. There is also the added pressure of coordinating and tracking dozens of ground and air movements leaving each day to six forward distribution teams in and around central and southern Iraq dispensing medical supplies for immediate use.
However, for David, there is only one number that he looks at.
"The only figure I care about is decreasing the waiting time of units receiving their medical supplies," said David, a father of two. "Although we have a good turnaround time from request to deliver[y] of the product there is always room for improvement. That's what's important. Getting the right product to the right unit in the fastest time."
The 32nd MMB serves as the only major medical supply and distribution center in Iraq. From bandages to blood, the 32nd MMB facilitates more than 450 customers [units] in Iraq.
"We receive up to 400 customer requests a day," said Spc. Mathavy Yasa, a native of Pomona, Calif., who works for the control and request center. "We ensure that we are not only tracking the items but that they get to their final destination. Following up is key!"
Along with the logistical aspect of their mission, the unit is also responsible for the maintenance of all medical equipment in Iraq as well as reacting to emergencies such as making an urgent shipment of blood in just a matter of hours.
Army and Air Force assets based in Kuwait and Qatar account for 70 percent of medical supplies going into Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa on a daily basis.
Most of these supplies are housed and flown in from the United States Medical Material Management Center-Southwest Asia or based at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar. The medical distribution center is 65,000 square feet, which is bigger than a football field.
"The center stocks more than 2,700 lines of medical supplies," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Branch, commander of the USAMMC-SWA. "We have ability to stock and supply all the major hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan with what they need."
After the cargo is packed and placed on pallets, the cargo is taken by air to its destinations. Fifty percent of all shipments to Iraq are directly flown to the 32nd MMB's forward distribution teams, located in separate medical shipment hubs across Iraq.
"Medical logistics is not perfect, but we are all a team and make it work," said David.
The USAMMC-SWA is under the control of the 377th Theater Support Command and Third Army/U.S. Army Central, based out of Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Third Army/USARCENT, the Army component for U.S. Central Command, is responsible for the logistics support of all military assets entering Iraq, Afghanistan and across the Middle East and Central Asia.
Maj. David Hammer, medical logistics officer for Third Army/USARCENT, sets the policy for all medical logistics entering the CENTCOM theater. Hammer said most of the supplies then travel to the 32nd MMB, which places orders for dozens of items to keep their shelves in stock. There is a similar set-up in place for Afghanistan.
"On average, USARCENT transports 450,000 pounds of medical supplies each month all across the theater," said Hammer. "That's equals to 15,000 pounds a day."
When supplies are moved, military and civilian personnel hold the cargo in a 35,000 square foot warehouse and then distribute it by air to troop clinics across Iraq. Ground movement is also used and accounts for one-third of medical movement in the region. Due to the constant threat of improvised explosive devices, the command is trying slowly eliminate such movements.
"We are trying very hard to maximize use of air assets to gets us off the roads," said David. "However, sometimes the only way we can receive is by convoy."
Despite the seriousness of their work, and only having 10 months of being home between combat tours, the 32nd MMB is a cohesive group of Soldiers with witty personalities.
"For us [332nd MMB] its about making sure the customers have everything they need at all times," said David. "The efforts really do save lives everyday."
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 05.04.2007 07:38 |
| Story ID: | 10227 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 560 |
| Downloads: | 466 |
This work, From Flight line to Front line, by SGM Alejandro Licea, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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