Rapid response readiness demonstrated at 16th SB 'Supply Shock'

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Wyatt | Soldiers assigned to 240th Quartermaster Support Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, prepare to depart from Smith Barracks Jan. 20 during the start of operation "Supply Shock." The company road marched to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, to set up a supply support activity warehouse, or SSA, that will provide Class II, IV and IX material in support of Atlantic Resolve-South. The "Supply Shock" is part of a series of company-level readiness exercises, empowering junior leaders to demonstrate sustainment capabilities provided by the 16th Sustainment Brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel Wyatt, 16th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs, 21st Theater Sustainment Command)  

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, ROMANIA

01.25.2016

Story by Sgt. Daniel Wyatt 

16th Sustainment Brigade

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania- More than 50 Soldiers and 20 military vehicles assigned to 240th Quartermaster Support Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, traveled more than 1,325-miles through Germany, Austria, Hungary and Romania from Jan. 20-24 during 16th Sustainment Brigade’s "Supply Shock.”

The mission was for the supply platoon to road march to Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania, and set up a supply support activity warehouse, known as an SSA, supporting Atlantic Resolve.

“It’s about readiness, enabling the alliance, being expeditionary to help build a stronger Europe, supporting our NATO allies without delay from Estonia down through Romania,” said Capt. Joseph Taylor, commander of 240th QMSC and native of Richmond, Va. “I’m proud of our Soldiers for what they have accomplished on this mission. They showed that we are capable of handling rapid response requirements successfully.”

“Supply Shock” is another operation in a series of “Knight’s Shock” events, testing the ability of company-level leaders to respond quickly to short notice missions throughout United States Army Europe. These readiness exercises empower junior leaders to demonstrate sustainment capabilities provided by the 16th Sustainment Brigade while also exhibiting how cooperation between allied forces enhances freedom of movement.

“It’s been challenging for the new Soldiers in the snowy weather conditions and long journey to Romania but they’re staying motivated to accomplish the mission,” said Sgt. Donville L. Springer, a petroleum supply specialist assigned to 240th QMSC, and native of Brooklyn, NY. “Overall the mission’s success instilled a lot of confidence in the Soldiers.”

As the only sustainment brigade in U.S. Army Europe, 16th SB’s three subordinate battalions provide distribution and supply across Europe and Atlantic Resolve, as well as finance, maintenance and signal capabilities.

“‘Shock’ events like this show the numerous functions we provide and also what we are capable of accomplishing in a high response situation,” said 2nd Lt. Doniel Lee, the convoy commander for Supply Shock and native of Lake City, SC. “I saw a lot of outstanding NCOs step up during this exercise to make sure the Soldiers were doing things properly and staying focused on the task at hand. In the end, it was a full team effort.”

At the end of the four-day road march, the supply team reached Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base with no incidents, ready to set up and run a warehouse. The warehouse will provide a forward location to order, receive, and turn in repair parts and supplies for units training at Atlantic Resolve’s southern locations.

“We met our most important intent, which was to make it here safely. This was a unique event for our company and we look forward to making more history in future,” said Taylor.

• Date Taken: 01.25.2016
• Date Posted: 01.26.2016 11:01
• Story ID: 187060
• Location: MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, RO