401st AFSB demonstrates stewardship, returns $500K to Army Supply System

By 401st AFSB Public AffairsJuly 21, 2014

401st AFSB demonstrates stewardship, returns $500K to Army Supply System
Capt. Michael Andersen and Capt. Joy Harry transport a heavy duty military tow bar found at the 307 yard, July 20, to the 401st Army Field Support Brigade's facility to process non-rolling stock at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Andersen and Harry ar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (July 21, 2014) -- What began two months ago as a mission to clean up a junk yard turned into a commitment to stewardship of government property and money for two Army logistics operations officers assigned to the 401st Army Field Support Brigade.

"The open storage yard, known as the 307 Yard, was initially designed for temporary storage of equipment before it was either fielded to the force or retrograded out of theater," said Capt. Michael Andersen, a logistics operations officer with the Acquisition, Logistics & Technology -- Directorate, ALT-D, who is assigned to the 401st AFSB.

"Units could stage large amounts of equipment in one location without impacting their mission area. However, over time, units and contractors found it was a place to unload unwanted or unaccounted equipment without having to go through the proper channels for processing. As a result, the 307 Yard became an equipment junk yard; it was a dirt farm with very little value," Andersen said.

Andersen and Capt. Joy Harry, another logistics operations officer in the ALT-D, quickly rolled up their sleeves and began conducting a full inventory of the forgotten equipment--what most deemed as junk--in their new area of responsibility. Within three weeks the duo identified more than $300,000 of government property that could be processed through the retro sort yard or otherwise properly disposed of through the Defense Logistics Agency-Disposition Services, or DLA-DS.

"In today's operating environment we are charged with a great challenge to account for millions of dollars of equipment," Harry said. "With tightening budgets and the high operating tempo that we are experiencing, it is the responsibility for every individual within every organization to maintain records and identify the gain and loss of government property regardless of how it is acquired. If we continue to utilize the Army Property Accountability system and reutilization programs, we are sure to save the Army money and save taxpayers' dollars."

Andersen says that some of the equipment has even found immediate use with the installation units.

"We discovered a Duke Antenna's valued at just over $45,000. The Crew System Program was able to take the equipment right back into their working inventory."

Andersen added that while the process was often tedious, the outcome was well worth it; with an estimated $500,000 worth of supplies and equipment projected to be put back into the Army Supply System by the end of this August.

"Identifying some of this equipment wasn't easy. Not everything out here has a clear National Stock Number, NSN, or serial number. In fact, most of the stuff out here requires a good deal of research" said Andersen. "Whether it was old tires or spools of brand new fiber optic cable the ALT-D took ownership and made it a priority to be good stewards of the government's property and money. I'm proud to be a part of any mission that efficiently manages our Nation's resources and helps our Army maintain readiness and remain the most decisive land force in the world."

Editor Notes: The Acquisition, Logistics & Technology -- Directorate, ALT-D, for the 401st Army Field Support Brigade generally has a mission to coordinate, synchronize and integrate Acquisition, Logistics and Technology planning and execution conducted by Assistant Secretary of the Army Acquisition, Logistics & Technology Forward within the Combined Joint Operations Area -- Afghanistan (CJOA-A) in order to ensure these actions are nested within the USFOR-A operational plans and priorities. However, as focus in theater shifted to retrograde operations, the ALT-D has adapted and assisted in the theater wide effort. Part of this resizing included taking on the responsibility of an open storage yard on Bagram Airfield.

Related Links:

ASA (ALT)

U.S. Army Materiel Command

U.S. Army Sustainment Command

1st Sustainment Command (Theater)

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