Indiana Guard Unit returns home from Iraq deployment in time for Christmas

Photo By John Crosby | On Oct. 25, five soldiers of the 138th Quartermaster Support Company, 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, from Brazil, Ind., competed in the Marine Corps Marathon held at Al Asad, Iraq.  

CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, UNITED STATES

12.22.2009

Story by Spc. John Crosby 

Camp Atterbury Indiana

CAMP ATTERBURY JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ind. — Despite hours of long lines and a slew of familiar briefings held at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Ind., Dec. 22, the soldiers of the Indiana National Guard's 138th Quartermaster Support Company remained chipper, as soon they would see their families again; and just in time for Christmas.

All 130 men and women of the Brazil, Ind., headquartered 138th QSC returned home to Indiana Monday night after a year-long deployment to Iraq. Their mission there was providing and distributing food, water, fuel, vehicles and equipment to 35,000 coalition forces troops over an operational reach of 400 kilometers—not an easy feat for a small company.

Although their mission may make the 138th QSC a "behind the scenes" type of unit, it doesn't make it any less important. Their mission provides a lifeline used by the military's fighting forces. If combat soldiers were the muscle, these Indiana soldiers would be the blood vital for the muscle to work.

Upon arriving in Iraq, the unit hit the ground running, spreading themselves out over six different locations across the Multi-National Defense — West area of operations in order to complete their daunting task.

Due to the responsibility of operating in such a wide-spread area, the soldiers found themselves working closely with the Marine Corps and even with some Navy ground personnel. This made it necessary for troops of the 138th to familiarize themselves with vehicles and equipment they wouldn't normally use in the Army National Guard.

"I really enjoyed working with the Marines at Combat Outpost Hit," said Sgt. Alfredo Burgo, an automated logistics supply sergeant from Terre Haute, Ind. He said they imported and exported supplies via ground and air using many types of Army and Marine Corps vehicles and helicopters including Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knights and CH-53 Sea Stallions. As an Air Assault qualified soldier, Burgo especially liked working with different helicopters.

In addition to the company-sized element's mission to support several divisions' worth of personnel, they also dealt with the logistical issues of the coalition forces' efforts to complete the act of passing full responsibility and manpower over to the Iraqis.

"The soldiers constantly evolved as the mission changed through the drawdown of forces as responsibility shifted to the Iraqi army," said 138th QSC Commander and Logistics Officer Capt. Laura Pratt of Wheaton, Ill.

By the end of the company's deployment, they exported all American military equipment and supplies from Combat Outpost Hit and assisted in handing over the base of operations to the Iraqi army.

Regardless of the fact the unit was spread out over their 400 kilometer area, soldier cohesion was a major motivating factor during their deployment. Soldiers from all across Indiana and a handful from Illinois made lifelong bonds. In fact, soldiers are planning a trip to New York City for New Year's Eve this year.

"We've been planning this trip for a long time now," said Burgo. "We're excited to be home!"

• Date Taken: 12.22.2009
• Date Posted: 12.24.2009 08:19
• Story ID: 43116
• Location: CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, US