1st TSC Soldiers Advise, Assist, and Enable Iraqi Security Force Logistics

IRAQ

06.27.2019

Story by Maj. Timothy Johnson 

184th Sustainment Command

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — The 108th Sustainment Brigade’s forward element, Task Force Lincoln, arrived in the Middle East on the anniversary of the declaration of victory over Daesh in Iraq. These Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers assumed the logistics advise and assist mission under the 1st Theater Sustainment Command supporting Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve to continue building the sustainment capability of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).

The focus of this mission has changed since the defeat of Daesh. Coalition efforts were initially centered on projecting ISF requirements for both material and maintenance, then ensuring those requirements were met to enable the ISF to maintain operations. The focus shifted to guiding Iraqi logisticians to forecast their own requirements and building their maintenance capability at Taji Military Complex (TMC) as a center of excellence to be duplicated at their regional maintenance facilities.

While this isn’t a standard mission for a sustainment brigade, it is not the first time the 108th served in an advisory role. In 2008, during the height of the surge in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the brigade sent a similar number of Soldiers to Iraq as part of the effort to rebuild the Iraqi Army logistics system. Some of that experience is with the current Task Force Lincoln team.

“This is my second logistics advising mission in Iraq,” said Col. Justin Osberg, commander of 108th Sustainment Brigade, Task Force Lincoln. “I was the senior advisor in 2008 tasked to help the Iraqi Army establish the logistics command near Basrah. There are four Soldiers from that mission with Task Force Lincoln, and their experience has really helped our team make quick progress.”

Soldiers from Task Force Lincoln focus on the national depot level facilities of the Iraqi Army found at the Taji Military Complex, and the scope of their advising ranges from warehousing to maintenance of tactical vehicles, weapons, and engineer equipment. The task force is divided into advising teams that focus on warehouse operations, maintenance operations, and transportation.

“The maintenance teams have done a phenomenal job identifying and repairing specialized machining equipment at the repair facilities, and providing operator and train-the-trainer classes so the capability can be put into use again,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Lester Edwards, 108th Sustainment Brigade senior enlisted advisor. “One of our maintenance advising teams identified computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling machines that were not being used, and they were able to provide training that has given the facility the capability to machine parts they have not been able to purchase. This is the type of assistance that can make a lasting impact on sustainment in the Iraqi Army.”

“The CNC project is a great example of how we are trying to find Iraqi-led solutions to their sustainment challenges,” said Maj. Matthew Kreiter, 108th support operations officer. “The facility commander brought up the subject to the team as a challenge he faced because the CNC was not operating, and he had no trained operators.” Task Force Lincoln also manages divestment of equipment and parts through the Counter-ISIS Daesh Train and Equip Fund.

“The supply and services team manages all of the equipment provided to the ISF,” said Kreiter. “They have an enormous task to order, track, receive, inventory, and divest tens of thousands of parts. Without the constant flow of repair parts, the Iraqi facilities at Taji wouldn’t be able to continue repairing vehicles.”

“One of our major initiatives has been to work with the Iraqi Army logistics leadership to develop a center of excellence to repair wheeled vehicles at Taji,” said Osberg. “A key piece of this project has been for the Iraqi Army to commit a portion of their annual maintenance budget to develop and maintain a consistent flow of repair parts dedicated to this facility to fully exercise all aspects of their sustainment process.”

Task Force Lincoln continues to push toward an Iraqi logistic process that is capable of providing flexible and sufficient support, and they have plans to develop a similar project for the Iraqi Army engineering directorate next. The brigade is scheduled to lead this mission for 18 months, allowing the time required to see these projects through the planning phase and into implementation.

“Our team has done a remarkable job adapting their traditional sustainment experience to the unique challenges faced providing equipment and training to a foreign security force,” said Osberg. “Every day the Soldiers of the 108th Sustainment Brigade tackle those challenges and posture the Iraqi Army for self-sufficiency and sustainability.”

• Date Taken: 06.27.2019
• Date Posted: 09.02.2019 12:52
• Story ID: 329375
• Location: IQ