WASHINGTON -- Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno hosted the 10th annual U.S. Army Combined Logistics Excellence Awards, or CLEA, at the Pentagon Sept. 10.
The U.S. Army Materiel Command received six CLEAs, designed to recognize the best logistics programs in the Army.
"Many times in the Pentagon awards are given out to individuals, but the CLEAs are awarded to units. This is about teamwork," said Kathleen S. Miller, Acting Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4.
Judges from the U.S. Army Transportation, Quartermaster, and Ordnance Centers travel around the world to conduct on-site evaluations of units nominated by their commands, and winners are selected based on outstanding qualities recognized by judges on their visits.
"Our job in the G-4 is to create logistics policies that further the Chief's goals of a ready and modern Army, a globally responsive and regionally engaged Army - an Army that can get all that equipment out of Afghanistan and in the future when directed, go in fast, go in to win and come home," said Miller.
But it takes more than policy to come in and out of a warzone safely.
"Policies always sound terrific on paper but what brings the words to life is the hard work that all of you do to execute your missions day after day regardless of the circumstances and regardless of the location," said Miller. "You are here because you've mastered the skills necessary to keep the best property books, the best supply rooms, the best inventory control in the entire Army. You are developing innovative maintenance programs; you've proven your ability to deploy equipment and personnel more efficiently or effectively than other units in the Army."
Miller added that the winners have been both creative and relentless in their drive to support Soldiers.
The Chief of Staff of the Army attested to their excellence as well stating that over the course of his more that 38 year career he has come to understand the importance and rely on Army sustainers.
Unfortunately, it is easy to take them for granted because logisticians are great at what they do, he said.
"They are always there working hard behind the scenes ensuring we have what we need on time, in the right place, accounting for equipment, doing all the things necessary to ensure that we are prepared to conduct operations," said Odierno.
But in comparison to the rest of the world, Odierno says Army logisticians are unmatched.
"We are the only Army in the world that can do strategic logistics and deploy capabilities around the world on short notice. We are the only ones that can support simultaneous combat operations. We are the only Army in the world that can sustain combat operations for 13 years without ever having a problem with sustaining our equipment. There is no other army in the world that can do that, and that is because of what you do every single day," said Odierno.
AMC won in the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence, Deployment Excellence Award, and Supply Excellence Award categories.
Army Awards for Maintenance Excellence
1. Anniston Army Depot, Anniston, Alabama
(Depot Level)
The depot is celebrated as the "The Tank Rebuild Center of the World" but it is quickly becoming recognized for its capability to build like-new vehicles. The Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) is an M1 Abrams tank chassis outfitted with a mine plow and specially designed turret system created on the installation. Warfighters know the ABV as the "Shredder" since it clears pathways through minefields, roadside bombs, and Improvised Explosive Devices. The ABV provides Warfighters protection and allows them to clear a safe pathway for tanks and other vehicles through dangerous ground. Thanks to the outstanding support provided by the Depot, the Army maintained a 95 percent readiness rate for the ABV while deployed to Afghanistan. The Depot also demonstrated it had the ability to produce a reliable high-quality product in support of national security.
2. Army Field Support Battalion -- Northeast Asia, Camp Carroll, Korea
Active Army, Modified Table of Distribution and Allowances, Large
As in last year's competition, this organization was once again well versed in its maintenance operation. Its Standard Operating Procedure was very well written, and every portion of it was followed. Everyone knew their responsibilities and carried them out with precision. This organization had an excellent Lean Six Sigma program, and it is constantly finding ways to improve processes. Every member of the organization takes pride in their daily activities. This year the organization identified ways to streamline its manpower assets resulting in millions of dollars being saved while continuing to maintain a high operational readiness rate during high tempo missions.
3. Fleet Management Expansion -- Fort Sill, Fort Sill, Oklahoma
(All Others, Medium)
The organization's maintenance management operation was very well organized. Its driver's sustainment training was excellent. Its safety program was identified as the best throughout the Active Army. The organization also had the best man-hour accountability of all the units evaluated. Tool room management and accountability was excellent; and the Hazmat section was identified as having outstanding accountability and control of hazardous material.
Deployment Excellence Award
4. Fort Hood Logistics Readiness Center, Fort Hood, Texas
(All Army Installation)
The center successfully conducted deployment operations for 60,653 Soldiers from 478 units from the Active, Reserve, and National Guard. The span of command and control at the installation railhead, line haul truck facilities, and the A/DACG was far more extensive than any other Power Projection Platform in the Army. The ITO shipped a total of 4,743 pieces of equipment on 2,803 railcars utilizing more than 120 trains. Additionally, they planned and coordinated the movement of 7,275 short tons via strategic air assets for deploying and redeploying units. The dedication with which these personnel carried out their tasks in a very demanding environment was outstanding.
Supply Excellence Awards
5. 403rd Army Field Support Battalion -- Northeast Asia, Camp Carroll, Korea
(Active Army, Level III (B), Table of Distribution and Allowances, Property Book Operations)
CW2 Rahming and his team are remarkable. They maintained 100 percent accountability of all authorized property. All required inventories were conducted on time, and they had an excellent Government Purchase Card program. They also had a superb emphasis on the Campaign on Property Accountability.
6. 403rd Army Field Support Battalion -- Northeast Asia, Camp Carroll, Korea
(Active Army, Level IV (B), Table of Distribution and Allowances, Supply Support Activity)
The team handled Class IV vehicles and Class IX repair parts stocks superbly. The workforce was knowledgeable, disciplined, and very responsible with Army property.
Related Links:
AMC garners Combined Logistics Excellence Awards
General Odierno to Honor 36 Army Logistics Units In September 10th Ceremony At the Pentagon
Video: 10th Annual Chief of Staff of the Army's Combined Logistics Excellence Awards (CLEA) Ceremony
Social Sharing