Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Mario D. Gates, a petroleum supply specialist with the 68th Transportation...... read more read more
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – At the turn of the 20th century, the Army established motorized logistics, improving the ability to move troops, supplies and munitions around the battlefield in an expedient manner. The impact this had on the Army was two-fold, as it gave the Army a logistical advantage but also presented an additional responsibility for the war fighter in the upkeep of vehicles.
Soldiers are required to maintain preventive maintenance checks and service schedule for Army vehicles before and after operation, as well as conducting weekly, monthly and yearly services in accordance with the vehicle’s technical manual. For soldiers of the 68th Transportation Company, 749th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, it means having petroleum, oil and lubricants on hand at all times for their vehicles to operate in support of missions.
Pfc. Mario D. Gates, a Decatur, Ga., native, and Pfc. Marisol S. Elenes, a Los Angeles native, both petroleum supply specialists for the Road Warriors of the 68th Trans. Company, are responsible for supervising and managing the reception, storage and shipping of bulk or packaged petroleum-based products, thus making the soldiers’ mission essential in a transportation company. In a motor pool, you will find a variety of petroleum, oils and lubricants, as each type of vehicles requires different types of these POL liquids.
“They are an essential part of the maintenance world,” said Spc. Thomas Hutchison, a Heavy Equipment Transporter mechanic from Norfolk, Va. “Vehicles need a variety of fluids and Gates and Elenes ensure we have what we need to support the company mission.”
“Since arriving at 68th, I keep learning new things about my job,” Elenes said. “Being a fueler is not easy; you work with toxic and flammable liquids. I work with the best platoon of mechanics. My job is to have everything in stock for them so they can do their jobs too.”
With more than 100 vehicles and trailers in the 68th Trans. Company motor pool, Gates and Elenes have their hands full keeping accountability of the company POLs, ensuring the mission runs like a well-oiled machine.
| Date Taken: | 08.21.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.21.2011 03:38 |
| Story ID: | 75677 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fuelers supports Road Warrior mission, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
