CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, was named the 2012 Motor Transport Unit of the Year by the Marine Corps Motor Transport Association.
Combat Logistics Battalion 1 was selected as the unit of the year largely due to their accomplishments while deployed to Afghanistan from October 2011 to April 2012. While there, they helped retrograde supplies as the drawdown in Helmand province began.
“Motor Transport Company’s work ethic was unbelievable,” said Gunnery Sgt. Charlie Collins, the CLB-1 operations chief during the unit’s deployment. “They were either on the road or in their racks only to rest for their next convoy. They wouldn’t stop.”
Their high levels of motivation, tied in with their tireless work ethic, brought out impressive numbers not seen in any other motor transport unit.
“They stood out because of the amount of materials they transported,” said Collins. “Their numbers simply blew the other units out of the water.”
Combat Logistics Battalion 1’s motor transport Marines helped NATO service members prepare to leave Afghanistan. Their work in retrograding equipment significantly impacted the area of operations, said Collins.
“The Marines saw the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Collins. “They wanted to do everything they could to help (Operation Enduring Freedom) come to a close.”
For some of the Marines, providing motor transport support to International Security Assistance Forces was a particularly fulfilling assignment.
“I really like driving trucks,” said Cpl. Rachel E. Allison, a motor transport operator with CLB-1. “When I was younger, I enjoyed driving tractors, so I chose motor (transport).”
The Marines are proud of their unit, and know it was their team effort that brought them the recognition as the Motor Transport Unit of the Year.
“Everybody works really hard,” said Allison, 23, from Jordan, Minn. “I feel honored to be a corporal in a unit where everyone worked so hard. There’ve been a lot of late nights and volunteering for more work from everyone in the company.”