It's a Dirty Job, But Somebody Has Got to Do It

03.01.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

by 2nd Lt. Anthony D. Buchanan
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

As long as there are U. S. forces in Iraq, there will be a need for someone to do laundry for Soldiers or facilities available for them to do laundry themselves. Currently, the majority of the laundry services are managed by civilian contractors, but there are a few locations that are managed by troops.

Nine Soldiers from the 506th Quartermaster Company (need full identification) from Fort Lee, Va., perform all of the laundry services for the Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Normandy.

The group consists of six laundry and textile specialists, one quartermaster chemical equipment repair specialist, one cook and a fueler. All of these Soldiers come together and provide military personnel here outstanding services.

"We can get their clothes back to them within 24 hours and sometimes the same day," said Pfc. Kimberly Krantz, a fueler serving as a laundry and textile specialist.

In addition to laundry, the group also provides sewing services at no additional cost to Soldiers. Spc. Jeff Thornton, also a laundry and textile specialist, does the majority of the sewing.

"We have set hours for laundry, but I kind of run my own deal," said Thorton. "People can come and drop stuff off anytime. I usually get things done in about an hour."

The process the team uses to get laundry in and out to the Soldiers is pretty simple. When laundry comes in it is inventoried. After it's inventoried it is placed in a machine to be washed.

"If there is a problem with the machine, I check it for any faults and I fix it," said Spc. Scott Runyon, one of the mechanics on the team.

After the clothes are washed, they are folded, inventoried once again and placed in bins that are designated for each company.

"It's really good for the morale of the Soldiers to get their laundry back in a timely manner," said Staff Sgt. Stacey Pritchett, non-commissioned officer in charge of the team.

"The best feeling is getting there clothes back to them clean and seeing them with smiles on their faces," said Krantz.

• Date Taken: 03.01.2006
• Date Posted: 03.01.2006 12:26
• Story ID: 5553