FORWARD OPERATING BASE TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan - In the northern area of Uruzgan province, multinational forces convoy through difficult terrain, traveling to different outposts miles outside the forward operating base. The terrain can be so tedious that it takes a half day’s drive to advance 20 or 30 miles. One unit is tasked with traversing this difficult region to perform logistics mission in the area.
Nineteen soldiers assigned to the 1484th Transportation Company, 1297th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Task Force Resolute, comprise the forward logistical element in support of the Multinational Task Force conducting operations in and around Forward Operating Base Tarin Kowt.
The 1484th Trans. Company is a material handling equipment company capable of moving large connexes, heavy equipment, heavy vehicles and other loading material. As a support element, they work for the Force Support Unit under the MTF. In charge of the FSU is the Australian army.
“We are the material load handlers for the FSU. They have truck drivers, or ‘truckies’ as they call them, but they don’t have the capabilities to move heavy loads with the speed of a Palletized Load System truck,” said 1st Lt. Aaron McMahon, platoon leader for the FLE.
This FLE’s team members have been on missions since the company’s arrival to FOB TK in September 2011, replacing the 418th Trans. Company. Since assuming the mission, they have been expected to perform in many unique situations and environments. The northern terrain of Uruzgan offers this challenge.
“As you get closer, past the foothills, into the mountains, the paths and roads disappear. From there it’s up and over hills and through mountain valleys,” said Staff Sgt. Johnathan Haney, acting platoon sergeant for the FLE. “The terrain is so rough we have to slow down to 5 to 10 mph.”
The entire FLE team is comprised of only 1484th Trans. Company soldiers, who are headquartered in Canton, Ohio. As the FLE, they are expected to be ready at a moment’s notice, many times in less than 24 hours. When they are not on the road with their PLSes, they are on base ensuring their equipment is mission capable.
“Maintenance is a priority, and we are fortunate to have a good maintenance crew. It is very crucial we keep these vehicles up to speed because we are highly depended upon in FOB TK,” said McMahon.
The roads in the region make it very unique for this team. The area in Uruzgan is very mountainous filled contingency operating bases and forward operating bases in remote locations. When they drive off base, they have found themselves sleeping outdoors before, side-by-side with the Australians.
“We went to some small COP outside of FOB TK, and [we were] too far into the country to make it to there before dark,” said Spc. Jeff Peterson, a motor vehicle operator with the 1484th Trans Company. “The Australians decided that we would just stop here, set up a perimeter and set up camp sleeping under the stars.”
The Australians operate differently than U.S., as evident on their convoys. It has been an adjustment period, however a useful one as well.
“The soldiers we have dealt with are very direct. They give us enough notice in advance for our missions, but when it comes to mission, they expect us to know what we are doing,” said Peterson.
Each week, the FLE is constantly running missions. They must keep the maintenance of their vehicles in good condition because they are an important asset to the FSU on FOB TK. One wonders if they have time for anything else, but as McMahon added, they are well on their way to accomplishing their mission and asking, “What’s next?”
| Date Taken: |
11.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
11.25.2011 00:33 |
| Story ID: |
80543 |
| Location: |
FORWARD OPERATING BASE TARIN KOWT, AF |
| Web Views: |
177 |
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