Materiel Enterprise leadership visits Materiel Enterprise forward

Materiel Enterprise leadership visits the Materiel Enterprise forward — 1 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Heidi Shyu, acting assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, watches as Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, commanding general, Army Materiel Command, uses a Talon IV robot to grasp a water bottle held by Col. Michel M. Russell, Sr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan--Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, commanding general, Army Materiel Command, visited some of the more than 52,000 personnel who make up the 401st Army Field Support Brigade Jan. 20 - 22.

Dunwoody accompanied Heidi Shyu, assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, on a quick visit to the 401st AFSB. They visited some of the Soldiers, Marines, civilians and contractors who make up the materiel enterprise and are AMC and ASA/ALT's face to the field providing fielding and sustainment of new logistics solutions for the maneuver units; equipment sustainment; and disposition of non-mission essential equipment. They had an unplanned opportunity to meet Soldiers who were turning equipment for redistribution at the Bagram redistribution property assistance yard and hear first-hand how the process is working.

They saw Research, Development and Engineering Command's field assistance in science and technology center's prototype integration facility that brings forward deployed embedded engineering and prototype fabrication capabilities to develop rapid engineering solutions for operational requirements. They saw a hybrid hook, the PIF's first product, and several other recent initiatives including steps to fit over mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle tires to make it easier to work on the vehicles and a device to prevent the heavy MRAP doors closing on Soldiers' fingers. They were also briefed to a microgrid system being used at Bagram's Camp Sablau-Harrison to provide reliable and efficient electric power.

The pair saw cutting edge technology fielded by ASA/ALT personnel in conjunction with logistics support provided by the 401st when they visited the 'petting zoo,' an interactive display of some of the latest technology on the battlefield. Stopping at displays featuring biometrics, robotics, unmanned aerial systems, and counter improvised explosive device solutions designed to detect and defeat IED attacks and increase Soldier survivability, they questioned the experts on effectiveness and feedback from Soldiers in the field. Shyu was very interested in the weight of the Soldier-portable equipment and lifted several of the items herself.

Both Shyu and Dunwoody expressed their appreciation for the work done by all those who comprise the materiel enterprise and the partner units who facilitate external assets such as transportation critical to supporting the Warfighter. Dunwoody and Shyu presented their coins to more than 20 personnel for their contributions to the materiel enterprise.

Shyu made a separate trip to Bagram's Heathe N. Craig Joint Theater Hospital to talk to medical personnel on the effectiveness of pelvic armor and other technology fielded to increase Soldier survivability of IED attacks.

Leaving Bagram, they travelled to see the northern distribution network that will provide increased transportation routes to retrograde equipment from the theater. They later had a fly-over to view RPAT operations at one of the 401st's northernmost locations. The next day, they went to Kandahar Airfield to view 401st AFSB operations and meet with Joint Sustainment Command Afghanistan leadership.