Photo By Sgt. Mitch Armbruster | Spc. Chloe Morales, a S1 clerk for the 454th Transportation Company, copies hand...... read more read more
Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq - Moving supplies is a mission Soldiers in transportation companies do to support the needs of servicemembers in Iraq.
The 454th Transportation Company, a Reserve unit from Ohio, transported supplies in northern Iraq for the first five months of their deployment and has now taken on a new mission at Forward Operating Base Endurance.
"When we first got here the vehicles were at a low operational readiness rate," said 1st Sgt. John Valley. "We had to bring the fleet back up."
Some of the Soldiers with the 454th, work as mechanics in their civilian careers and use that knowledge helped to get the maintenance completed and the vehicles back on the road.
"[The company takes] pride in their vehicles," Valley said. "It wasn't hard for them to realize they accomplished overcoming a large hurdle."
"They have done an excellent job while we've been here," Valley said.
The company ran more than 130 missions, 38,000 miles and half a million gallons of fuel.
They are in the process of turning their trucks over to Kellogg, Brown and Root, but will continue to provide security for some combat logistics patrols (CLP).
Valley said his Soldiers trained to transport fuel but now they are going to help provide force protection on the FOB. Valley is confident his Soldiers are up to the challenge of their new mission.
"They'll set the standard," said Valley.
Master Sgt. Kimberly Heiss, a platoon sergeant and CLP commander with the 454th said she was impressed by how successful the company was when they first arrived.
"We got here and moved product," Heiss said. "We were good; we would make it happen."
Heiss said the company was comfortable with the mission they had, and things ran smoothly.
"Being a convoy commander is one of the best things I've ever done," explained Heiss. She was excited to be in the position. She said it was challenging at first but she liked being able to take on the job and accomplish the mission. Heiss said it was nice to have the job because she was one of very few CLP commanders.
She added that the teamwork and improvement of the Soldiers at their jobs was amazing. Like Valley, Heiss knows the new mission is just a change of pace for the unit rather than an obstacle to overcome.
She said the leadership never has to look over their shoulders to see if their Soldiers are following, rather the Soldiers are ready for the things that come their way.
"I feel like I'm part of something," said Sgt. Seth Brown, a human resources specialist with the company. "We're helping to make the country better."
Brown works in the S-1 shop taking care of paperwork for the 454th Soldiers, but he also helps train Iraqi soldiers in a combative program.
"It is very rewarding taking care of Soldiers," said Brown.
The 454th Trans. Co. has changed mission, but they are used to change.
The unit is made up of Soldiers from various northern states and they have come together successfully, because now they are working to help make the country safe and protect their fellow Soldiers on FOB Endurance.
| Date Taken: | 05.30.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 05.30.2006 16:39 |
| Story ID: | 6588 |
| Location: | QAYYARAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 367 |
| Downloads: | 55 |
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