Liberty Battalion Supports Readiness, Fights COVID

UNITED STATES

05.29.2020

Story by Maj. Jon Allen 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

FORT RILEY, Kan. – Soldiers from the 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division implemented preventative measures to protect Soldiers and prevent the spread of COVID-19 here since the outbreak began earlier this year.

The 101st Bde. Spt. Bn. represents one of many units across Fort Riley that have had to overcome COVID-related challenges while maintaining their ability to answer the Nation’s Call.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 has been an uncertain time for everyone,” said Lt. Col. Angel Cardenas, commander of 101st Bde. Spt. Bn. “At Liberty Battalion, we have continued to carry out our unique and expansive mission of supporting the Devil Brigade while ensuring that our Soldiers and their families stay safe by protecting the force, preventing the spread, and preserving mission readiness.”

The mission of the 101st Bde. Spt. Bn. includes a wide variety of support activities including: distribution of supplies, maintenance, medical care, and food service. Fort Riley categorizes these as ‘required readiness activities’ as they are required to meet national security commitments to the federal government and U.S. Military.

Chief warrant officer two Nelson Dawson, supply systems technician for 101st Bde. Spt. Bn. is the accountable officer of the brigade’s supply support activity operations.
“We’ve split 12 hour shifts to accommodate physical distance and still get after the mission to get parts in to the hands of the maintainer,” said CW2 Dawson. “Everything th
at comes through here is going to make it into the hands of an operator and determine if a tank goes ‘boom’ or a warfighter is able to execute his or her mission.”

In addition to implementing procedures to maintain readiness of the unit, CW2 Nelson is taking extra precaution to care for Soldiers working in a potentially stressful environment.
“Keeping an eye out and making sure Soldiers are healthy, engaging with the Soldiers more than usual and making sure they’re prepared to complete their tasks,” said CW2 Nelson.

Specialist Madison Dunn, small arms and artillery repairer with the 101st Bde. Spt. Bn. armament shop noted the importance of personal protective equipment in his daily duties.

“We implemented facemasks, it’s just another piece of PPE that we’re used to wearing,” said Spc. Dunn. “We do what we have to do, it’s just the way it is in the Army."

Medical care is a key component of protecting the force that also falls on the Liberty Battalion. Captain Ryan Vonderhorst, battalion surgeon with 101 Bde. Spt. Bn. described changes made to healthcare in response to the COVID pandemic.

“Protecting the force is literally why we’re here,” said Capt. Vonderhorst. “If that means having people limiting contact, distancing, wearing masks, limiting work duties to essential tasks, I think that’s incredibly vital.”

The Liberty Battalion is also responsible for dining facility operations for the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team. Corporal Jushauna Bayley, culinary specialist with the 101st Bde. Spt. Bn. has managed challenges from COVID while feeding the Soldiers of the Devil Brigade.

“To ensure we complete the mission, we enforce standards and make sure Soldiers in the kitchen and patrons in the facility are not complacent,” said Cpl. Bayley. “We now keep 6 feet of distance, all Soldiers wear masks, have their temperatures checked, and follow sanitation procedures.”

The Liberty Battalion and Devil Brigade continue to take action to protect the force, prevent the spread of COVID-19 and remain ready to deploy, fight, and win America’s wars.

• Date Taken: 05.29.2020
• Date Posted: 05.29.2020 16:43
• Story ID: 371077
• Location: US