Spartan Logisticians Play Key Role in Transition to Armored Brigade

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers of 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, conduct Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services and equipment inventory on M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lifting Extraction System (HERCULES) Sep. 21, 2017, at Fort Stewart, Ga. The HERCULES is used to recover heavy armored vehicles such as M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, M1 Abrams tanks, and M109 Paladin artillery vehicles which can weigh over 27 tons. Spartan logisticians have been at work for months and will continue to play a key role as the conversion from a light to an armored brigade combat team for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division moves forward. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Regan Riggs / Released)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

09.25.2017

Story by Capt. John May 

50th Public Affairs Detachment

FORT STEWART, Ga -- The Spartan logisticians have been at work for months and will continue to play a key role as the conversion from a light to an armored brigade combat team for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division moves forward.

Changing from light wheeled vehicles as the primary means of maneuver and movement on the battlefield to armored vehicles presents sustainment challenges, but the logisticians are working hard behind the scenes to ensure the brigade maintains readiness, said Capt. Jonathan Blaha, 2BCT deputy brigade support operations officer.

Blaha said the Spartan Brigade has worked with 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf Div. and higher echelons of sustainment such as Army Materiel Command to develop the items for the stock of repair parts for armored vehicles.

Equipment was transferred and turned in for refurbishment in May in preparation for the transition, said 1st Lt. John Radcliffe, 2BCT logistics officer. He said the transfers and turn-ins are scheduled to be completed between the end of September and middle of October.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Elizabeth Gibbs, 2BCT property book officer, said light wheeled vehicles were the most significant equipment transfer in preparation for the transition from light to armor. She said the majority of excess light infantry equipment went to security force assistance brigades, the rest went to 3rd Inf. Div. units, National Guard and reserve units and a small amount of equipment was turned in for refurbishment.

“Training continued during transfer and turn in of equipment,” Gibbs said. “Meeting transfer directives and simultaneously training was challenging; but through a combined effort between supply personnel and leaders, we were able to train and manage transition transfers and turn-ins at the same time.”

Maj. Oliver Stolley, 2BCT brigade support operations officer, said the brigade is receiving new equipment that will allow them to conduct field maintenance and sustainment operations for an armored brigade combat team.

The first significant armored brigade combat team vehicle that will be arriving is the M88 Recovery Vehicle.

Part of the transition from light to armor is educating leaders and planners on the changes to sustainment operations in an ABCT.

“The ABCT conversion requires a change of mindset,” Stolley said. “Sustainment planning is a more detailed process due to increase fuel consumption, use of big bullets and more intensive vehicle repairs.”

Stolley said a series of brigade leader professional development sessions are being conducted so leaders understand sustainment capabilities and requirements in an armored brigade and know what to ask for logistically so they can make informed decisions.

The official date of the conversion is Oct. 16 and a ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 20 at Marne Gardens.

• Date Taken: 09.25.2017
• Date Posted: 09.25.2017 15:44
• Story ID: 249560
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US