CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – More than 20 Marines assigned to Retrograde and Redeployment in support of Reset and Reconstitution Operational Group were recognized by the Installation Management Command (Forward) command sergeant major for their work inventorying and preparing millions of dollars worth of equipment to be distributed throughout Afghanistan, Nov. 1.
Army Command Sgt. Maj. James King gave letters of appreciation to the R4OG Marines for their dedication in accomplishing the mission in just a short amount of time.
“You never know how much you have till it's time to move,” King told the Marines. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your hard work for a job well done.”
The Marines were requested to sort through and inventory the serviceable gear, preparing it to be shipped throughout Afghanistan. They started the task Oct. 29 and completed the work by Oct. 31.
“The Army didn’t have the manpower here to complete the task, so we asked the Marines for some assistance,” said Wil Seda, the director of logistics for IMCOM (Fwd). “These Marines were just fantastic.”
The Marines sorted through more than 100 oversized packing containers filled with a variety of equipment, eight 20-foot ISO containers, eight generators, nine blackwater suction trucks and 11 water containers. The gear deemed serviceable was packed and prepared to be shipped out across Afghanistan to units in need.
“I estimate the Marines helped save the Army $3.5 million,” Seda said. “We are able to reuse this gear and get it out to the battlefield where it's needed.”
Despite the windy weather conditions in southern Afghanistan during the inventory, the Marines accomplished the mission several days before expected.
“Those guys worked hard,” Seda said. “It was so dusty, but not once did anyone complain.”
The Marines were happy to be recognized, but said they were just accomplishing their mission.