AMC reviews successful 2014

By AMC Public AffairsDecember 17, 2014

AMC reviews successful 2014
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – AMC Commanding General Gen. Dennis L. Via, and Heidi Shyu, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, visit troops and AMC entities in Afghanistan. Via and Shyu were briefed on the status of the massive ongoing retrogr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
AMC reviews successful 2014
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The Army Materiel Command's senior leader has long said that while the next contingency can't be predicted, it will certainly arrive. That statement is especially fitting as 2014 comes to a close.

"Just six months ago, we couldn't have predicted the things we are doing today," said Gen. Dennis L. Via, AMC's commanding general. The Army's responses to ISIL and the Ebola virus added new dimensions to the command's focus.

"Just when we thought we were going to be able to take a knee, we are sending equipment back to Iraq," Via said, referencing the ISIL threat. "We're going to be successful, we're going to defeat this enemy, but it's going to take time."

AMC is currently enabling operations on every continent, from supporting troops in the austere environment of West Africa to expeditionary operations in the Pacific, and has more deployed civilians than any other agency in the Department of Defense.

Of the command's many ongoing efforts, the return of equipment from Afghanistan still ranks as the most immense.

"It's a monumental effort that's not often appreciated," Via said. The more than 800 bases that existed at the height of Afghanistan operations were reduced to about 25. "The nation hasn't seen the likes of this since World War II."

The equipment return comes after a lengthy build-up.

"We had a period of 12 to 13 years shipping equipment into Afghanistan," Via said. "During that time, we weren't taking much out."

In 2012, more than 48,000 vehicles known as "rolling stock" were on the list destined out of Afghanistan. Fewer than 5,000 vehicles now remain. Likewise, more than 108,000 containers filled with all types of equipment and supplies have been reduced to fewer than 800. If those containers were stacked end-to-end, they would stretch from New York City to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Meanwhile, the retrograde of equipment has gone relatively unnoticed because it has been executed so extremely well, said Via.

During 2014, Via visited locations around the globe to get a first-hand account of worldwide operations and the global supply chain that keeps operations in check. Trips to Saudi Arabia, Italy, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Korea demonstrated the global reach of the command.

"Where ever our Army is, AMC will be there," Via said. "We are the enabler for the joint force."

Via also visited several arsenals, depots and ammunition plants that make up the Army's Organic Industrial Base, which AMC manages. The unique installations provide one-of-a-kind capabilities that are in high demand during wartime. When demand declines, however, those skill sets can be jeopardized. Maintaining that expertise is a high priority.

"I've always referred to our Organic Industrial Base as a national asset," Via said."This year, we established a team of experts to review the organizational structure and processes in order to increase readiness by providing high quality products, on time, and at the best value," Via said.

Providing readiness through supporting Combatant Commanders also remains a top priority. The concept of "prepositioned stock" stages equipment at key locations throughout the world. Rather than shipping equipment with units, troops can fall-in on the prepositioned stock and proceed with their mission.

The European Activity Set is one example. The set includes enough tanks, fighting vehicles and equipment to outfit an Army combined-arms battalion. This year, Soldiers from Fort Hood's 1st Cavalry Division inaugurated the set during a multi-national training exercise. In a short month's time, the equipment was reset and ready to go again for its second run.

"With 2,400 pieces of equipment, that's almost unheard of," Via said. "But that's what the new norm is going to be."

While enabling current operations, AMC also has to keep its eye on the future. Research and Development and Science and Technology continue to play a key role in the command.

"Great organizations must continuously look forward," Via said. "With the proliferation of technology around the world, potential enemies can take advantage of that technology and lessen our capabilities. We have to continually invest in R&D and S&T to maintain the most powerful army the world has ever known."

Important projects in the works by the command's 12,000 scientists and engineers focus on lightening the Soldier's load and providing improved protection.

Partnering with industry and sharing knowledge is also a key concept. This year, the Army Research Lab received a $500 thousand grant from the National Football League, Under Armor and General Electric's Head Health Challenge II initiative. The grant will assist the lab's research to protect against brain injury.

"Working with our partners in academia and industry, we've developed some remarkable technological capabilities," Via said. "Our focus must remain on developing the next leap-ahead generation of systems that will dominate and ensure technical overmatch in the future."

Even as the search continues for the most modern supplies and equipment, Via said it's the command's Soldiers and ready and resilient workforce that is at the core of warfighter support.

"It's because of our people that AMC can do what we do, and they are the ones who make this happen every day," Via said. "We can't get it done without these great folks, our teaming with industries and the great support of our families."