JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — Coalition historians met on May 29 to plan for the way ahead, while assessing future collection procedures and documenting operations for historians deployed to contingency locations.
Historians Col. Gary M. Bowman, Multi National Force - Iraq and deputy commander of U.S. Army Center of Military History and Lt. Col. Gregory A. Daddis, Multi-National Corps - Iraq visited the 44th Military History Detachment.
"As the Army transitions toward the drawdown phase of operations in Iraq, the role of the logistician becomes even greater. The history community's ability to capture that role will be critical over the next 6 to 24 months," said Staff Sgt. John Brown, 44th Military History Detachment noncommissioned officer. The 44th is an active duty MHD from Fort McPherson, Ga.
"The Army's history community has focused heavily on combat and maneuver operations, but has had a difficult time capturing the significant contributions of a logistical command in theater," he said.
The coalition historians reviewed the 44th MHD historical collection operating procedures which was implemented during the MHD's pre-deployment training at the U.S. Army Center of Military History, and will incorporate those gathered information into future MHD's training and doctrine policies.
While Col. Marvin S. Whitaker, chief of staff, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and the 44th MHD gave an orientation to the visiting historians of their mission supporting the 3rd ESC and its logistics units, the MHD also gave a demonstration of their collection tactics, techniques and procedures.
Capt. Joseph Green, 44th MHD commander, said issues the MHD face are a need for shared portal training and having a strong working relationship with the public affairs units to enhance a coordinated collection efforts between MHDs in theater.
Only four MHDs are deployed to Iraq and documenting the military's current operation. The 44th MHD has been part of that legacy, documenting the 3rd ESC logistics role in theater.
"This has been really enlightening for me. I've visited different MHDs and they all do their best. You [44th MHD] are doing a great job in a unique environment," said Bowman.
In the U.S. Army, the MHDs are manned by one active-duty, 19 from the Reserves and five National Guard units, all documenting military operations around the world.