Over hill, over dale, CLPs hit the dusty trail

Photo By Spc. Micah Clare | Army Staff Sgt. Gerald Mickelson, platoon sergeant for the Market Garden Combat Logistics Patrol from the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division watches as his vehicle makes its way up a steep incline in Paktika province, Afghanistan Oct. 11, 2007. Mickelson is from Monroe, Ga.  

AFGHANISTAN

10.19.2007

Story by Spc. Micah Clare 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

By Spc. Micah E. Clare
4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office

PAKTIKA, Afghanistan - "Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail..."

And the Combat Logistics Patrols keep rolling along.

Paratroopers from the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, know too well the meaning behind the first phrase of this Army song. They were the first to bring a large convoy of vehicles heavily filled with supplies and equipment through a treacherous route in Afghanistan's southeastern Paktika province this month.

Affectionately named "Route Peterman" after Army Lt. Col. Michael Peterman, commander of the 782nd BSB, the team members of CLP Market Garden unanimously agree, it's the worst route they have taken in their nine months running supplies to remote locations in southeastern Afghanistan.

"This is the worst route we've been on yet," said Army Sgt. Nichole Stamper, a driver from Hudson, Fla.

The nearly 70-kilometer trip from Forward Operating Base Orgun-E to the Bandar Command Observation Post has some of the most austere terrain imaginable, she explained.

Steep inclines, an excessive amount of jutting boulders, rocks and drop-offs, swiftly-moving water crossings and claustrophobic passes are just some of the difficulties the convoy faced while making the nearly 15-hour trip to the Bandar COP with supplies for coalition forces operating there, Stamper said.

"Driving dangerous routes like this can be stressful and challenging," she said. "As a driver, I am responsible if we roll the vehicle over or wreck, because people could get hurt."

However, the CLP is more than capable of handling such a trip, said Army Capt. Dustin Menhart, commander of the 782nd BSB's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, from Pittsburgh, Pa.

"It's one of the most unique CLPs," he explained. "CLPs usually consist of just drivers, but here we have not only drivers, but a whole array of supporting (military occupation specialties): ammo handlers, fuelers, mechanics, medics, and communications operators. Together, they provide the ability to handle any logistical mission."

"It's great to have these people in our convoy," Stamper said. "You know we'll be able to take care of any problems."

During the long and difficult trip, the unit did experience a vehicle rollover, fortunately without injury to troopers or vehicle damage, she said.

It took hours though, and since several of the CLP's tractor trailers were hauling excavation equipment for the Bandar mission, some thought it would be a good idea to make use of it during the wait.

"Why not use all this excavation equipment and do some route renovation?" said Spc. Andrew Maich, one of the platoon medics from Fayetteville, N.C. "It took us awhile, but now we don't have to deal with getting trucks unstuck."

After the successful completion of the Bandar mission, their efforts to improve that difficult stretch of the route paid off on their return trip; it cut their travel down by 10 hours.

It now goes by the name of "Menhart Memorial Parkway," after the HHC commander, jokingly commemorating the amount of work that went into making it passable.

"These guys' mission is very hard," said Army Master Sgt. Stephen Widener, the 782nd force protection non-commissioned officer in charge from Dallas, Texas. "A lot is riding on their backs to get these out-of-the-way missions done. Even though they are a logistics company, they've trained to be completely self-sustaining for these long trips."

The CLP team members don't mind the demands put on them to perform their mission and have grown to take pride in them.

"We do things no one else can do," Maich said. "Because of this, completing these jobs is satisfying."

Sometimes being on the road with no idea of what to expect can be difficult though, especially without many days off, said Spc. Dallas Hopkins, another platoon medic from Rowlett, Texas.

"We don't always get told what missions are coming up," she explained. "Not knowing what's going on is hard after a while."

Despite roughing it out on missions like these on an almost daily basis, the Paratroopers have learned to overcome many of these challenges and bond together as a family, Hopkins said.

"We travel so much, we are all that we have," she said. "We're all here for each other."

"I wouldn't leave this platoon," commented Spc. Evan Grabenstein, communications operator from Houston, Texas. "Even though the work is hard, these are my brothers and sisters. There are good days and bad days, but I feel a lot more of the good ones."

Never knowing what to expect is something many of them have come to love about their mission, said Maich.

"Keeping busy is the key," he said. "It helps check-off time. Besides, being out on the road all the time can be fun, you just have to pack right."

"As long as we get a shower at the end of a long mission, its okay," added Spc. Cara Allen, a driver from Trenton, N.J.

When CLP Market Garden finally did get back from the Bandar mission to their home base in Forward Operating Base Sharana, they knew they would have to hit the road again within a week's time, but understanding it is what they are in Afghanistan to do.

"We'll continue to give more capabilities to fight the enemy," Menhart said. "No matter how far out that may be."

• Date Taken: 10.19.2007
• Date Posted: 10.19.2007 12:55
• Story ID: 13131
• Location: AF