Simultaneous NTC exercises call for contracting teamwork

By Maj. Jennifer McIntyre, Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Joint Base Lewis-McChordJuly 31, 2015

Simultaneous NTC exercises call for contracting teamwork
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 615th Contracting Team surveyed March Air Reserve Base, California, as part of it support for the Army's Joint Forcible Entry Exercise Dragon Spear. The team consists of, from left, Staff Sgt. James Sprigler, Staff Sgt. Jenny Cisneros, Maj. Jenni... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Simultaneous NTC exercises call for contracting teamwork
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Simultaneous NTC exercises call for contracting teamwork
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FORT IRWIN, California -- (July 31, 2015) Members of the 615th Contracting Team are executing operational contracting support for two simultaneous exercises at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

The 615th CT, assigned to the 902nd Contracting Battalion from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, was assigned to support 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team's NTC rotation from June 20 to Aug. 20. The team received the additional mission to support the XVIII Airborne Corps and its subordinate units -- 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, 82nd Sustainment Brigade and various enablers -- in a joint operation to support the chief of staff of the Army's Joint Forcible Entry Exercise Dragon Spear, which includes Air Force elements and Special Forces.

Soldiers from the 615th CT worked extensively with 3-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division, to coordinate contracting efforts in support of NTC Rotation 15-08.5, supporting more than 5,000 Soldiers.

Simultaneously, the team coordinated and synchronized contract support requirements for elements of the 82nd AD at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, participating in the Joint Forcible Entry Exercise. Working with enablers at the NTC and the Air Force at March Air Reserve Base, California, operational contract support is being conducted at two locations in support of airborne operations at March ARB and the NTC.

In order to meet mission requirements, 615th CT members received additional contracting Soldier support from the Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Bragg staff to support contracting efforts at March ARB and the NTC. Support requirements include mobile showers, latrine services, laundry support, lights, tents and generators, and cooling fans among other common requirements.

Additionally, MICC-Fort Irwin contributed with contracts supporting various construction efforts such as improvement of a C-17 field landing strip and a new bunker training facility.

Lt. Col. Richard Pfeiffer, the MICC-Fort Irwin commander, said it is this flexibility and responsiveness that allow contracting Soldiers to enable mission success.

"A multitude of units and stakeholders enable success," he said. "Two brigades, two battalions, three MICC offices and two contracting teams demonstrate a true team effort."

Also, Lt. Col. Mike Christiansen and Sgt. 1st Class Dianna McInnis of the Rotation Contracting Team program are providing operational contracting support oversight of the contracting team and rotational unit as observer coaches and trainers.

The 615th CT, an element of the 418th Contracting Support Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas, is comprised of Sgt. 1st Class Jose Santamaria, Staff Sgt. Jenny Cisneros and Staff Sgt. James Sprigler. Capt. Dowayne Anderson and Master Sgt. Frasier of the 419th CSB at Fort Bragg are augmenting specifically to support Joint Forcible Entry requirements.

Editor's note: Maj. Jennifer McIntyre is serving as the team lead for the 615th Contracting Team.

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