MA' SUM GHAR, Afghanistan - The logistical war in Afghanistan requires soldiers from multiple Army organizations come together to accomplish the mission. These teams often deploy to forward, remote locations to ensure every soldier receives the supplies they need.
The 1225th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Task Force Resolute has a forward logistical element operating at Forward Operating Base Ma’ Sum Ghar, Afghanistan.
The FLE is comprised of soldiers from the 104th Transportation Company, the 183rd Maintenance Company, the 656th Transportation Company, the 418th Transportation Company and the 226th Quartermaster Company. The 36-man team is the only U.S. element operating in that area and they began operations in December of 2010. The group was tasked with ensuring nearly 500 soldiers deployed on smaller outposts in the Horn of Panjawai received the supplies they need in support of Operation Hamkarai.
To accomplish their mission, the FLE needed an operational footprint at Ma’ Sum Ghar. The soldiers had a small plot of land surrounded by mountains, tents and two trailers to work with. They immediately began working on living areas and a tactical operations center so the team could begin their mission.
“When we arrived all we had was a small plot of land,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Davis, the FLE commodity manager and non-commissioned officer in charge. “We built everything in our area of operations from the ground up.”
As soon as the team had mission capability they began operations, ordering supplies and escorting them out to soldiers in need. Initially, the supplies were distributed through air drop and slingload operations, using planes and helicopters to drop pallets of supplies and equipment. These drops were prone to attack by insurgent forces so a new strategy was needed, said Davis.
“Essentially we became a security force for the supplies we were sending into the Horn [of Panjawai],” said Davis. “Since the airdrops and slingloads were not effective we started delivering equipment and supplies directly.”
Every week the FLE delivers up to 100,000 pounds of supplies and equipment ranging from food to generators. The soldiers man gun trucks to provide security for their cargo on every convoy.
Operating in their remote location has provided unique challenges for this team. To keep their mine resistant ambush proof vehicles operational, several of the FLE generator mechanics have cross trained to conduct basic maintenance. If a vehicle is damaged beyond the capabilities of the self-trained mechanics, it is brought to KAF for further repair.
A final priority for the FLE is morale. Ma’ Sum Ghar does not have a Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center, United Service Organization or Post Exchange, so the element’s leadership constructed a place for all three. The self-made MWR has unrestricted internet, a television, microwave, assorted toiletries and video gaming systems for the soldiers to use, said Davis.
“Since we have been out here, our team has come together to make this little operational area the best it can be for us,” said Spc. Marissa Shuhman, a 183rd Maintainence Company air-conditioning repair specialist. “They really look out for our morale while we are out here conducting missions.”
The FLE continues to operate in the Horn of Panjawai, ensuring all soldiers receive their supplies safely.
“This mission is our life,” said Shuhman. “We all love doing this and we don’t want to leave Ma’ Sum Ghar until the job is done.”