FORWARD OPERATING BASE EDINBURGH, Afghanistan – International Security Assistance Force operations require fuel for every mission. Whether the fuel is used for vehicles or generators, it’s an important asset to mission accomplishment.
Marines and sailors from 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), escorted more than 35 local national trucks to forward operating bases in northern Helmand province during a resupply mission June 30 through July 6.
“The fuel goes to support [3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division (Forward)] and the [medical evacuation] unit at FOB Edinburgh,” explained 1st. Lt. Benjamin T. Schramm, the convoy commander. “Also, 2nd Tank Battalion is operating in the [area of operation] and a lot of fuel is required to support those assets.”
The 2nd Maintenance Battalion Marines and sailors, who are from General Support Motor Transportation Company, delivered more than 214,000 gallons of fuel to Forward Operating Base Now Zad, Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, Combat Outpost Musa Qala and Combat Outpost Shir Ghazay.
“Specifically, the fuel is used for motor transport ns, 7th [Engineer Support Battalion] route improvements, as well as daily living at FOBs and COPs. Their electricity comes from generators,” said Schramm, a Lutherville, Md., native.
With the high level of enemy contact in northern Helmand province, the medical evacuation unit, Dustoff, stays busy getting injured coalition service members and local nationals to higher levels of care.
“Dustoff is the most important aspect of where the fuel goes,” said Schramm. “The medevac unit and the [shock trauma platoon] at FOB Edinburgh save lives. Our fuel supports the U.S. Army Blackhawk medevac missions and the Marine Corps’ gun ship escorts for the medevac missions.”
The GSMT Marines and sailors have delivered more than 793,000 gallons of fuel during their deployment to ensure service members in northern Helmand province have the fuel they need to continue to conduct combat operations and to live comfortably.