AFGHANISTAN - At this lonely forward operating base in northern Afghanistan, Maj. Rhonda House and the 926th Movement Control Team do their part to set conditions for the drawdown of forces from Afghanistan.
“This is definitely a very different deployment in which we have worked many different missions from convoy escorts to civilian engagements,” said House. “This is the fourth mission we’ve had since we’ve deployed from the states, over ten months ago. But it’s all good, because I’ve gotten really good at knowing what I have to pack!”
The 926th, a U.S. Army Reserve unit from Bell, Calif., is responsible for the managing shipments going in and out of Afghanistan. The 926th soldiers run convoys to and from the shipping yard and inspect and track hundreds of containers moving out of Afghanistan.
As part of its duties, the 926th also works with American K-9 teams, who accompany the unit to inspect cargo for contraband, weapons, and anything else that could be dangerous to ship.
With the end of their deployment approaching, House said, “My soldiers are a little frustrated about going back home; they don’t want to leave this important mission.”
Sgt. Rodrigo Garibay, a 926th transportation management coordinator, said the deployment has kept him busy.
“This MCT mission has been very hands-on for me,” Garibay said. “Usually, I would be on a computer, planning routes and tracking convoys. But I like this more. We have been out of the bases running missions and supporting other units in the area”
Garibay, works as a veterans representative for the state of California and said,“This is my first deployment, so I’m glad I got this experience so that I can relate a little more to my clients and I’m happy to have been a part of the beginning of the Afghanistan drawdown.” He concluded by saying,”It feels good to help bring everyone and everything back home, and I can’t wait to help them again, if needed, as a veterans representative once they return stateside.”