KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — After months of pre-deployment training the Headquarters element of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division is now boots on ground in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The ‘Providers’ will be replacing soldiers with the 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and assume the 45th’s mission to provide distribution and logistical support throughout Regional Command-South, Southwest and West.
As the 3rd Sustainment Brigade staff eases their way into the swing of things on Kandahar Airfield, the 45th Sustainment Brigade isn’t out of the picture just yet. Before officially transferring authority, a proper relief in place, or rip, must convene. A rip is when the outgoing unit teaches the incoming personnel tactics, techniques and procedures used throughout their operational environment. Additionally, the outgoing unit shares lessons learned while monitoring and mentoring the new team.
“I really appreciate the rip process because it allows our counterparts to train and mentor us and give us some overlap time before we take over,” said Master Sgt. Michael Tribble, an operation contracts support non-commissioned officer and Clarksdale, Miss., native assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Bde.
Relief in place not only allows for continuity between the two brigades, but it also allows for the Providers to enter a work environment where the 45th’s subject matter experts can set them up for mission success.
“The rip helps to keep processes streamlined to continue continuity of support to our customer units,” said Capt. Etta Wheeler, the distribution officer with HHC, STB, 3rd Sustainment Bde., and Bossier City, La., native. “If we provide a seamless change, there is zero (negative) impact when providing sustainment.”