Historic visit of historians

Courtesy Photo | Inspector Nbrass Salmin Al Hishiwawi giving a tour of the container repair yard to the visiting Transportation and Quartermaster Historians.  

BALAD, IRAQ

02.23.2009

Courtesy Story

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Dr. Steven Anders, Quartermaster Corps historian out of Fort Lee, Va., and Mr. Richard Killblane, the transportation corps historian out of Fort Eustis, Virginia, visted, Feb. 20 - 23.

They were here to conduct interviews, data and artifacts to ensure the transportation and quartermaster schools are teaching junior Soldiers the most current information available within their fields.

Anders' trip here will help him better understand the changing needs of the Quartermaster Corps throughout the Army.

"It's a pleasure for someone to come see what we do here," said Staff Sgt. Alexis Hernandez, a Soldier in the 356th Quartermaster Company. "To get better in this MOS you have to work in it, get your hands on it."

Anders spent his time here interviewing key leaders from the 304th Sustainment Brigade and the 259th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and was taken on a walking tour of the warehouses and various yards around Joint Base Balad.

The tour started with the holding yard for the bottled water that is familiar to the residents of Joint Base Balad. The tour quickly continued with the warehouses that store the day to day items for every unit, ranging from pens to vehicle hoods.

"If the Soldiers don't have the proper means to fight what good are they," said 1st Lt. Jean R. Pierre, of the 356th Quartermaster Company.

Killblane, who authored several publications including "Circle the Wagons: The History of U.S .Army Convoy Security," takes time every year to travel, interview and collect data about transportation in Iraq and Afghanistan. The data is then taken and compiled for historical documentation such as improving convoy security. He also uses the data to teach warriors about the past and how to improve for the future.

Killblane was also taken on a tour of the 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment headquarters where he took a trip down memory lane. Each year he returns to there building to chart its changes and progress. One of his favorite features is the "Skunk Werks" welding shop located in the back garage of the building. This "Skunk Werks" has exceptional history, ranging from the time Monster Garage, (a popular Discover Channel television show) built a hotrod Humvee to the first "hillbilly armor" being installed. Killblane plans to move "Skunk Werks" to the Transportation Corps Museum.

After the impromptu tour, Killblane interviewed Lt. Col. Gregory Allen about the changing landscape of transportation from a commander's perspective. Afterwards, he visited Charlie and Hotel companies of the 1st Bn., 161st Inf. Regt. different companies where he interviewed groups of soldiers about convoy security and their deployment
experiences.

The collection of knowledge, data and artifacts should not to be ignored. The lessons taught by experience will be taken back and taught to new personnel in the Quartermasters and TransportationCorps.

Col. Ronold J. Ross of the 330th Transportation Battalion said, "I think it's important because if they don't gather the information it will be lost."

• Date Taken: 02.23.2009
• Date Posted: 03.20.2009 08:07
• Story ID: 31371
• Location: BALAD, IQ