Photo By Sgt. Geoffrey Ingersoll | Pfc. James O. Cobbs, 19, Bridgeton, N.J., a food service specialist with Combat...... read more read more
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By Cpl. GP Ingersoll
1st Marine Logistics Group
AL-QAIM, Iraq – They usually bring food, water and supplies. This time Transportation Support Company brought boots, complete with some replacement Marines laced up inside them.
Marines and Sailors with a Combat Logistics Battalion 2 Forward Logistics Element put their boots on the ground, Aug. 18, 2008, with some help from TS Co., and Security Co., Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group. Marines from CLB-2 will be replacing CLB-6 at the end of their summer deployment.
"I'm anxious for the (relief in place and transfer of authority) to be complete so that I can take over on my own," said 2nd Lt. Greg E. Lynch, FLE officer-in-charge, CLB-2, 1st Marine Logistics Group.
Lynch and approximately 200 other Marines and Sailors make up CLB-2's FLEs.
An FLE is a small detachment of logistics Marines who offer direct support of infantry operating out of combat outposts and other remote camps. In all, FLEs spread themselves out over 33,000 square miles of Anbar.
Disbursing, dental, bulk fuel, heavy equipment mechanics and operators, and mobile post exchange make up just a few of the services the FLEs provide to forward operating Marines.
The challenge lies in managing all of these different elements at the same time.
"Accountability and communication (are) key when your people are spread over 33,000 miles," said 1st Lt. Jay L. Montgomery, FLE officer-in-charge, CLB-6, 1st MLG. "Talking on the phone is not the same as meeting face-to-face."
Lynch said he hopes to make bi-weekly visits to his Marines. He said he wants to work as much with his Marines as he can during the next seven months.
One of those Marines is Lance Cpl. Bryon A. Person, a generator mechanic with CLB-2.
Person, 23, Chapel Hill, N.C., said he is excited to begin his work with the FLE.
"I think we'll get a good step up from CLB-6, and we've got the mindset of getting the job done," said Person.
Person said obstacles such as heat and complacency can cause disorientation and can slow everyone down in these remote locations. He said he plans on keeping sharp, and keeping the Marines with him sharp, so that they can accomplish the mission and focus on safety.
Aside from rough environments, Montgomery, 25, Nashville, Tenn., said that FLE Marines, working closely with infantry battalions, need to remain flexible to the possibility of accomplishing missions not covered by their particular occupation.
"They need to be ready for fluctuating operational tempo as well," said Montgomery.
FLEs can go weeks operating at a normal level and then have a sudden, torrential influx of work orders, depending on what operations the grunts carry out, said Montgomery.
Regardless of operational tempo, heat, dust and different missions, one goal remains universal.
"We want to support all the units, have a smooth transition (with CLB-6) ... and bring everyone home safe," Lynch said.
The FLEs are scheduled to remain in country for the next seven months. In that time, they plan to accomplish the mission.
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2008 04:44 |
| Story ID: | 22833 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 109 |
| Downloads: | 75 |
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