Courtesy Photo | Soldiers with 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry...... read more read more
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By 2nd Lt. Carolyn Frazier
4th Brigade Combat Team,
3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – "Maintain the Line ... Never Quit," the slogan of a brigade support battalion based here, propelled Soldiers to reach a major milestone, March 5.
Within their first 100 days of logistical support in Iraq, the Maintainers of 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, hit 100,000 miles traveled.
The logistical Soldiers routinely travel from Forward Operating Base Kalsu to Victory Base Complex with numerous stops in between at various FOBs, combat outposts and patrol bases. Soldiers travel distances up to 85 miles one-way on a combat logistics patrol.
In addition to providing support to the five battalions and numerous other units assigned to the Vanguard Brigade, they provide support to seven military transition teams located throughout the 40,000 square miles of the Vanguard area of operations. The battalion averages 30 CLPs a week, but peaked at 80 CLPs in one week during Operation Marne Roundup in December.
Headquarters and Headquarters Company's gun-truck platoon provides security for the CLPs. The platoon sometimes goes on multiple convoy escort missions in a single day.
"In addition to securing all convoys, our gun-truck platoon also doubles as a liaison on the ground upon delivery of convoys to the different FOBs and patrol bases," said Capt. Joseph Anthony, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 703rd BSB.
The platoon trains regularly on the latest tactics, techniques and procedures in theater and applies them during missions. Medics of Company C accompany the gun-truck platoon on each CLP. The team's rapport is an important element in staying strong for the fight.
"I may have left my family thousands of miles away, but I have gained a larger family, a band of brothers if you will, which has bonded like no other," said Spc. Dean Hutto, a fellow gun-truck Soldier.
Company A provides six different classes of supply. It also supplies provisions for transportation and fuel and water distribution support. Soldiers who work in transportation and distribution at the Supply Support Area work in all weather conditions to upload, download, front-haul and back-haul loads to FOBs and PBs.
Soldiers who work at the SSA warehouse receive daily forklift and material-handling-equipment missions on the FOB. They run three shifts daily to ensure customers receive their parts and supplies.
"They spend countless hours on forklifts loading and unloading," said Sgt. 1st Class Ernestine Durman, a platoon sergeant for Company A. "They are also processing incoming parts to ensure units get their parts to keep their mission up and running."
Soldiers in the transportation platoon completed 85 CLPs last month alone to 10 different FOBs and PBs.
"They provide all classes of supply to every corner of the Vanguard AO from ground transportation to sling ops," said Capt. Seth Olmstead, Company A commander. "If you need it, our Soldiers can get it there."
Soldiers are constantly on the road delivering supplies or conducting recovery missions. The transportation platoon also receives barrier missions for the force protection in AO Vanguard.
Company A's distribution platoon conducts daily Entry Control Point missions and water and fuel missions every two to three days.
"The distribution platoon contributes its success through teamwork and discipline," said Sgt. 1st Class Johnny White, a platoon sergeant with Company A.
Company B is responsible for the battalion's maintenance and recovery.
"Being on the recovery team gives you a good feeling, knowing you have done your all to ensure your comrades are kept out of harm's way," said Staff Sgt. Reginald Dunbar, allied trades section with Company B.
Over the last four months, the service and recovery section has completed more than 220 CLPs and over 7,300 accident-free miles, while simultaneously providing area recovery within sector.
"This allows effective time management for Soldiers and equipment, preventing burn-out and equipment breakdown," said Capt. Darrell Arndt, Company B commander.
The recovery crew supplements their crew with qualified recovery personnel from the automotive platoon.
"Every day is a challenge because we never know what is waiting for us in the next hours," said Spc. Migdoel Vazquez, a Soldier with Company B. "Unity and camaraderie is common and very important."
Many Soldiers in the 703rd have gotten a full perspective of Iraq, both on and off the FOB – "being able to see beyond the T-walls and see what we are really fighting for," as Spc. Johnelle Opel, a medic with Company C, put it.
| Date Taken: | 03.21.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.21.2008 18:15 |
| Story ID: | 17645 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 314 |
| Downloads: | 296 |
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