Escort teams complete preparation for future missions

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IRAQ

02.01.2011

Courtesy Story

224th Sustainment Brigade

By 1st Lt. William Burke

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - Soldiers with the 319th Transportation Company, 749th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), have been tasked with more than just their normal line-haul mission at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.

In addition to utilizing the line-haul trucks, transportation soldiers have been running the central receiving and shipping point, the materiel redistribution team, and a complete Convoy Escort Team.

Soldiers with the 319th Trans. Company, completed a fast-paced and comprehensive training timeline to fully train the 25 CET soldiers. They coordinated the acquisition of eight Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, force protection ammo for M2 .50 caliber machine guns, and additional equipment necessary to conduct the escort mission. To date, they planned, coordinated, and supervised over 15 convoy logistic patrol missions escorting over 1,800 vehicles and accumulating more than 5,400 miles collectively with no injury.

The CET officially stood down, as they prepare for their own redeployment operation.

“It has been my honor serving with these soldiers who love to have fun, but conducted their missions with professionalism and gravity,” said 1st Lt. Jon Turner, a CET platoon leader with the 319th Trans. Company, 749th CSSB, and a Pittsburgh, Pa., native.

Spc. Acquantina Burgess, a CET driver with the 319th Trans. Company, 749th CSSB, and an Augusta, Ga., native, is one of two females on the team. Her experiences as a driver have far exceeded her expectations.

“I’m one of the guys,” Burgess said. She has had her fair share of long work hours, sometimes waking up before dawn. Burgess and all of the safety CET members make sure that all vehicles are properly maintained, mission briefs are conducted, test fires performed, and pre- combat checks and inspections are conducted before a mission to ensure all soldiers are mission capable. The tactical operations center is always on standby to assist in the success of a mission.

“Staying alert, getting enough rest and being aware of your surroundings is vital to every mission,” said Pfc. James Bass, a CET gunner with the 319th Trans. Company, 749th CSSB, and a Ring Gold, Ga., native.

Pfc. Kasey Coile, a Union Point, Ga., native, and Pfc. Andrew Jenkins, an Evans, Ga., native, each gunners with the 319th Trans. Company, 749th CSSB, were both excited to learn they would be running security for 319th Trans. Company as well as for other transportation units.

The ultimate goal on every mission is success and safety, once the mission is completed, they know how to unwind. Football, soccer ball and basketball are a few things that help the team relax when they aren’t on the road. Being able to kick back and relax plays an important role for CET members, but when it’s time to be serious, they show up and work hard.

• Date Taken: 02.01.2011
• Date Posted: 02.13.2011 17:38
• Story ID: 65372
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ