15th Transportation preps for redeployment

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IRAQ

05.09.2011

Courtesy Story

4th Sustainment Brigade

By: 1st Lt. Matt Franz

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - Every soldier looks forward to the day their mission is complete and they are ready to go home. For the soldiers of the 15th Transportation Company, 749th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, their mission in support of Operation New Dawn is winding down.

The “Roadwarriors” arrived at Contingency Operating Base Adder from Fort Sill, Okla., in July 2010 with the mission of supporting the logistical aspects of Operation Iraqi Freedom and crossing over into Operation New Dawn.

For the “Ruff Ryders” of the 3rd Platoon, this deployment was filled with mile after mile of transporting all classes of supplies, from toilet paper to military-tracked vehicles. They completed more than 141 missions, with more than 730,000 miles.

Sgt. Tyler Mangum, a heavy-wheeled-vehicle operator with the 15th Transportation Company, and a Florence, Ala., native, said the load of responsibility for him and his soldiers has been outstanding.

“It is a great feeling being able to support the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces out of Iraq,” Mangum said. “It is great to see our efforts paying off in the end. Excellence was earned, not given.”

Sgt. Angel Rivera, a heavy-wheeled-vehicle operator with the 15th Transportation Company, and New York, N.Y., native, said the soldiers just can’t wait to get back to their loved ones now that everything is completed successfully.

“It is going to be a great feeling to march into that auditorium and see all of our families waiting for us,” Rivera said. “I can’t wait to get back and eat some Chili’s.”

The company will transition its responsibilities to the 68th Transportation Company out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

Spc. Christiana Bankole, a heavy-wheeled-vehicle operator with the 15th Transportation Company, and an Oakland, Calif., native, said her mind is just on seeing her children.

“I have two small children waiting for me back home,” Bankole said. “They don’t understand now, but later on they will be proud of all their mother did for another country’s chance at democracy.”

• Date Taken: 05.09.2011
• Date Posted: 05.22.2011 02:58
• Story ID: 70840
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ