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By Jennipher E. Cannan
VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Iraq - The smallest Army Movement Control Team in Iraq , the 261st MCT, 14th Transportation Battalion (Movement Control), 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) began their own redeployment preparation after assisting thousands of customers in cargo movement and sustainment in-transit visibility, serving as the only ground MCT in United States Division-Center Baghdad province.
In March 2010, the 261st MCT from Fort Bragg, N.C., deployed 18 soldiers, taking over for a 30 person element in two operation locations; the Central Receiving and Shipping Point Section and Foreign National Staging Yard.
The MCT soldiers within the CRSP submit and coordinate Transportation Movement Requests, provide in-transit visibility of cargo, and serve as the liaison between customers, convoy commanders, and multiple cargo and staging yards on Victory Base Complex. They were the “eyes and ears” for the 14th Movement Control Battalion, located at Joint Base Balad, by tracking deployment, redeployment, operational, and sustainment cargo through Baghdad province.
In the summer of 2010, at the height of the Responsible Draw Down of Forces, the CRSP Platoon from 169th Seaport Operations Company, Fort Eustis Virginia, transitioned to the 403rd Inland Cargo Transfer Company. At the same time, the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade, Joint Expeditionary Team Airmen in the Redistribution Property Assistance Team yard conducted their Relief in Place. During these critical 90 days, the 261st not only assisted and ensured these new units were prepared for success, but played an essential role in decreasing military presence within USD-C. Providing continual aid, facilitation, and coordination in the consignment of cargo, vehicles, and supplies, relieving Baghdad province demobilizing units of equipment.
In conjunction with moving cargo, the 261st coordinated, monitored, and managed traffic movement through VBC providing in-transit visibility of sustainment trucks carrying valuable cargo such as Class I, Class III (Fuel), and other various multiclass commodities. The 261st personnel prioritized commodity shipments and maintained constant communication with customers on the status of their trucks movement. They ensured trucks were staged for onward movement prior to the convoy commander arriving to the Staging Lanes, and provided convoy commanders with up-to-date route information and march credits before leaving.
When the 373rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion redeployed and the 3rd Brigade Support Battalion, 1-3 Advise and Assist Brigade assumed the direct support distribution mission for USD-C Baghdad province. The 261st immediately set out and created a non-doctrinal partnership enabling the support of entirety of Baghdad province, partnered Iraqi security force units, and Department of State personnel. This relationship ensured transportation coordination support was both targeted and tailored to the mission and the United States Forces – Iraq priorities of movement.
Now, a year later, the 261st will pass the reigns to the 142nd MCT, from Fort Totten, N.Y. Ahead of the 142nd MCT lays the final push out of Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 02.14.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.20.2011 15:14 |
| Story ID: | 65786 |
| Location: | VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, IQ |
| Web Views: | 171 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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