Convoy brings more than supplies

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jes Smith | Soldiers with Mentoring Task Force 2 download a clothes dryer Nov. 1, during a resupply convoy mission, at a forward operating base in the Chora Valley Region, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. On top of resupplies the convoys also bring items to improve base life.  

URUZGAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

11.01.2010

Story by Sgt. Jes Smith 

16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

URUZGAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Living conditions at a forward operating base in Afghanistan can be rough for Soldiers of Mentoring Task Force 2, but with a lot of hard work it’s getting better.

“There are a lot of things at the patrol bases that are different to home, but the more comfortable we can make the bases – the better the Soldiers will be.” said Maj. Roy Henry, the officer commanding for Delta Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

Soldiers of the Logistical Support Company, MTF-2, understand this all too well. This is why they are constantly hitting the roads in Uruzgan, to conduct supply convoy missions.

The bases they service are inhabited by MTF-2 soldiers, who are deployed to Afghanistan to partner with and mentor the Afghan National Army.

These bases are supplied on a regular basis but once a month each one will be visited by a special supply convoy called the “Shojo.” This convoy brings much more than supplies.

The Shojo also brings tradesman like plumbers and electricians to conduct repairs and inspections on equipment needed for life sustainment. Without these experts equipment would break down and overall health and welfare of the base would break down with it.

“Maintaining the bases is just as important as resupplying ammunition and fuel,” said WO2 Jake Donnelly, the convoy commander for the Shojo.

There is also effort put into improving the overall standard of living for the soldiers. Something as little as installing electricity into the living quarters of the soldiers, to power personal items like laptops – makes a big difference in the soldier’s morale.

“Morale is a big factor,” said Donnelly. “If morale is high then everything else gels – so the more amenities that we can provide – the better.”

The Australian accommodations aren’t the only focus for the LSC – they also resupply and maintain the ANA side of the bases.

Henry said that the Australians have been installing numerous upgrades into the ANA living areas such as generators, flushing toilets, and showers. He also added that the ANA were unfamiliar with these items and that consequently it is up to the Australians to maintain them.

The overall mission for MTF-2 is to prepare the ANA to take over security operations for Uruzgan without international assistance and this includes conducting resupply missions.

To achieve this MTF-2 has been partnering with and mentoring elements of the ANA on how to conduct logistical operations.

“Not only are we able to supply our bases but the ANA have been able to partner with us and resupply their own people,” said Donnelly.

While these remote bases don’t have the same comfort items that the normal citizen would have in their homes – the soldiers of the LSC are doing their part to make that gap as small as possible for the members of MTF-2 and their Afghan partners.

• Date Taken: 11.01.2010
• Date Posted: 11.08.2010 04:53
• Story ID: 59634
• Location: URUZGAN PROVINCE, AF