Mission Complete: Rustamiyah

Photo By 1st Lt. Man Fung Wong | The Laundry Advanced System is emplaced and operational at the Forward Operating Base.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.18.2009

Story by Man Fung Wong 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — For the past month and a half, the Soldiers of the 590th Quartermaster Company, 398th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade undertook an important mission at Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah — providing shower, laundry, and clothing repair support for the thousands of Soldiers at FOB Rustamiyah.

This FOB is one of many sites slated for closure this year and part of the ongoing effort to consolidate military forces to major bases all cross Iraq. As Kellogg, Brown, and Root pulled out of this base, so goes the invaluable support they provide to the FOB. This is where the Soldiers of the 590th Quartermaster Company stepped in.

FOB Rustamiyah was a vital location situated in southern Baghdad. It was home to more than 2,000 Soldiers of the 82nd Base Support Battalion, as well as the 91st Military Police Battalion, in addition to the thousands of civilians who worked and lived within its walls. It was a strategic compound vital to the security of the local populace. Through its years of existence, the local area has seen a drastic change to its economy and its livelihood for the better.

As the civilian contractors moved out of the base, they took with them the logistical support that kept Soldier morale high. While the closure of the local Pizza Hut and the Green Beans coffee shop may not leave a lasting effect on the Soldier's well being, the lack of a good shower and clean clothes will. This is where the Soldiers of the 590th Quartermaster Company assisted.

Operating out of Camp Liberty, Iraq, the 590th Quartermaster Company pushes out shower, laundry, and clothing repair teams all across Iraq. They operate in some of the most austere locations and usually are some of the last assets to leave a FOB.

The 590th Quartermaster Company takes on long, enduring missions that can last from months to years, or just short "jump missions" such as the case at FOB Rustamiyah. They operate a portable laundry unit known as the Laundry Advanced System.

This industrial-sized washer and dryer enable the laundry teams to begin operations within 24- to 48-hours of arriving at a site. The Soldiers are a highly experienced and highly motivated group who execute their craft to the highest degree of professionalism. These traits are the major factors that allow them to operate with such efficiency.

"It was a learning experience for me since this was my first jump mission as a shower and laundry specialist," said Sgt. Mecca Forrest, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. "The Soldiers in this team are highly motivated and showed me what this job is all about. We worked many long nights in order to provide the Soldiers at FOB Rustamiyah the services that they needed."

The Soldiers of the 590th Quartermaster Company understand the importance of their roles in the battlefield and strive to perform their duties under any circumstance. They understand that they are providing an important service to the Soldiers who are often involved in highly stressful combat experiences. The laundry teams provide them with the little luxuries of life that many of us often take for granted.

• Date Taken: 04.18.2009
• Date Posted: 04.18.2009 15:28
• Story ID: 32549
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ