By Lance Cpl. Robert C. Medina
1st Marine Logistics Group
FALLUJAH, Iraq – Marines with 2nd Platoon, Motor Transportation Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, conducted a routine re-supply mission to the forward operating bases in the surrounding areas.
The purpose of this mission was to deliver class I and class III supplies. Class I supplies include bottled water and food. Class III supplies include bulk fuel, packaged petroleum, oil and lubricants.
The routine re-supply mission was made more difficult because of a sand storm the swept across al anbar province.
"This is the life blood of what we do," said 2nd Lt. Thomas P. Cahill, convoy commander, 2nd Plt.
Cahill said if they don't get the supplies out, Marines would not be able to operate as efficiently.
Dropping off more than 2,000 gallons of water, 1,500 gallons of bulk fuel and several containers of food supplies, the convoy delivered essential goods to three separate locations.
"The Marines here are experts on delivering these supplies," said Cahill, from Ardmore, Penn.
The Logistics Vehicle System, which is a modular system that is powered by an MK-48 front power supply, aided in the delivery of supplies. These versatile trucks have interchangeable rear body units such as a container transporter, wrecker recovery trailer, or semitrailer adapter. This allows the Marines to deliver supplies in places where any other truck would have a hard time.
"Knowing that I can help out my fellow Marines makes me proud," said Pfc. Nick E. McCauley, load master, 2nd Plt. "The equipment that we use allows us to deliver in confined spaces."
Even during a sandstorm, Marines with CLB-1 still accomplished their mission.
"We didn't get a lot of sleep because of the weather on this mission," said McCauley, from Silverdale, Wash. "But it was all worth the long hours we put into this convoy."