Army Sustainment Command units complete Operation United Assistance mission

By Steven J. Stanfill, 405th AFSB Public AffairsMarch 18, 2015

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Primasing, AMC Task Force executive officer, discuss the World Food Program with local nationals and a member of the Joint Force Command J4 (Logistics) Team at the Forward Logistical Base in in Gbarnga, Libera. The World... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Although stationed on different continents, the 405th Army Field Support Brigade at Kaiserslautern, Germany, and 406th Army Field Support Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, teamed up to successfully lead U.S. Army Materiel Command efforts in Operation United Assistance to help the governments of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone contain the outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa.

On Sept 16, 2014, President Barack Obama announced the start of OUA, an operation focused on establishing a regional intermediate staging base in Senegal.

Lt. Col. Christopher Liermann, commander, Army Field Support Battalion - Fort Campbell, deployed through Germany with his team to assume mission command responsibilities in Liberia as the AMC Task Force commander.

Many AMC agencies contributed to the success of the operation, beginning with the Army Field Support Battalion-Italy, in October 2014. The battalion prepped and shipped 25 Force Provider Modules by air, land and sea. These modules provided key life support to more than 3,400 personnel operating in Liberia and Senegal. The modules -- available in 600, 150 and 50-person configurations -- are capable of providing climate-controlled billeting, shower, latrine, kitchen, power distribution and even morale, welfare and recreation facilities.

TACOM SBC (Soldier Biological Chemical) and the Communications-Electronics Command Forward Element also played vital roles in the operation's success. Rick Bittle of Fort Campbell was instrumental in providing technical assistance and troubleshooting for a NMC-Multi-Temperature Refrigerated Container System, said Michael Mumford, TACOM senior command representative.

Additionally, Glenn McPherson, aviation master technician, assisted the Aviation and Missile Command logistics assistant representative team on the ground with internal intercom fault isolation, troubleshooting and other repairs. McPherson located, acquired and shipped repair parts to the AMCOM LAR and the unit aviation maintenance officer. These actions enhanced the theater's readiness and airlift capabilities by providing aircraft communications support and limiting the amount of down-time for communication repairs.

The Logistics Readiness Center -- Baumholder provided an effective and efficient logistical support for the service members during their transition from Africa to their final destinations. Logistical support included; linen, transportation support, laundry services, and meals from the Baumholder Dining.

"Throughout their stay, the LRC-Baumholder ensured that all service members were properly supported logistically," said Tim Wood, LRC director.

The 405th and 406th AFSB's are two of seven AFSBs under the ASC, headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois.

Related Links:

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