Story by: Sgt. Maj. Joe Adelizzi
CAMP VICTORY, Kuwait -- A unit from New York City has the mission of assisting units returning from wartime service when they most need it -- as they begin the redeployment and theater clearing processes here.
The 146th Quartermaster Company, an Army Reserve unit from Fort Totten (Queens), N.Y., performs several vital functions which ultimately speed up the redeployment process for units returning home to locations around the world.
"Once their tours are over and replacing units have been named, returning units receive camp assignments to various locations in Kuwait and begin planning to move the equipment they are taking home with them to the camps either by convoy or contract carriers," said Capt. Michael Walker, 146th QM Co. commander.
When they arrive, units bring everything with them, except the vehicles and equipment designated as stay behind equipment. The SBE is left for the replacing unit's use and helps them by not having to bring all of their equipment over, only what is necessary to complete the mission, Walker said.
"We take a look at what they are authorized to have with them and collect everything not on their books, all of their excess. Things like water coolers, cots, chairs, uniforms, petroleum products, anti-freeze, just to name a few," Walker said.
The excess is broken down into the nine classes of supply and put back into the system for other units in theater to use, he said.
"They're not supposed to be transporting it back and forth across oceans, so we save them the time and trouble of getting rid of it themselves, which they'll have to do before they clear customs. Of course, everybody wants to keep their little private stockpiles of supplies and is usually reluctant to part with it, but they'll be delayed later in the process, if we don't collect it. We also collect their chemical protective clothing items (J list) here," Walker said.
"Once everything is unloaded, we take the vehicles to the 35th Armored Brigade (Kuwait) wash racks just down the road and give them a thorough cleaning," said 1st Sgt. Gregory Betty, 146th QM Co. first sergeant.
"We run the wash racks 24-hour a day, seven days a week. We set them up and run them. We feed everybody at a mobile kitchen trailer we keep there. It's an important step in vehicle processing as they go straight from the wash rack to the customs agents and sterile yards at Camps Doha, Arifjan, or the Kuwaiti Naval Base.
We do all that we can to get the units through here and on their way as quickly as possible," Betty said.
Another function of the 146th QM Co. is to operate the Interceptor Body Armor warehouse at Camp Doha. Like the wash rack, it is also a seven day a week, around-the-clock operation. Each soldier leaving Iraq or Kuwait on emergency leave or rest and recuperation pass must store his or her IBA and Kevlar helmet at the warehouse until he or she returns.
"We separate the emergency leave from the R&R IBA and lay it all out in alphabetical order two days prior to the Soldier's scheduled return. If it's not picked up, we store it in containers alphabetically for 75 days and then turn it into the Class II and Class IV warehouses here," said Staff Sgt. Michelle Harry, day- shift supervisor from the 146th QM Co.
"We also issue IBA to newly arrived personnel who, for whatever reason, couldn't get it before they got to Kuwait. Everyone must have it before they move north to Iraq," Harry said.
At his Camp Victory headquarters, Walker talked about the morale of his soldiers and the impact of his unit's mission here.
"Overall, my Soldiers are doing well here in Kuwait and probably don't realize how important their contribution is to the overall scheme of things in a war zone, but I'll tell you one thing - the units who pass through here certainly appreciate our help when they can relax, sitting on the airplane heading home. I'm sure they do.
After a year of duty and sacrifice, they deserve our help, and we're glad to be here to give it," Walker said.
Related Photo:[url]http://www.dvidshub.net/img_archives/index.php?screen=view&id=5803[/url]
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2005 14:21 |
| Story ID: | 1454 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 68 |
This work, A timely assist from the Big Apple, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
