Jul 15, 2009

Jul 15, 2009

Jul 15, 2009

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - The Palletized Load System is odd looking but is touted as the vehicle backbone of the Army's distribution and resupply system.

Jul 15, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ-EAST, Iraq - Sgt. 1st Class Jenny Anne Bright believes noncommissioned officers have to practice what they preach.

Jul 14, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - The Adjutant Generals Corps, the Army's "go-to" branch for nearly all things related to personnel, celebrated its 234th birthday here June 13 at an event hosted by 10th Sustainment Brigade Soldiers.

Jul 14, 2009

CONTIGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - An ongoing Sustainer partnership provided combat life saver skills to the Iraqi Army during a five day training course here June 15 - 19.

Jul 14, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - A deployed Soldier's toughest challenge may be separation from Families for an extended period of time, but many Soldiers here take advantage of the various forms of communication devices to remain in contact with their loved-ones in the states.

Jul 13, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - A small detachment of Soldiers at the ammunition supply point here said goodbye to their tiny "conex," or container express, and welcomed a new, air-conditioned building June 29.

Jul 13, 2009

Business owners from the local Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone met to discuss Iraqi labor law, June 29.

Jul 9, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - "I want to be a part of history," said Staff Sgt. Ronald White, squad leader, 51st Transportation Company, 30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade.

Jul 9, 2009

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - There are approximately 20,000 dual military married couples in the Army today, where both partners must make sacrifices in service of their nation.

Jul 7, 2009

Jul 7, 2009

CAMP UR, Iraq - Sustainers visited an Iraqi Army dining facility to observe the IA food operations and service here June 20.

Jul 7, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - The Soldiers of 3rd Platoon, 70th Transportation Company, 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, have adapted to ever-changing mission requirements here.

Jul 7, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ-EAST, Iraq - Sgt. Guillermo Martinez Quintana, a native of Mayaguez, P.R., says that every noncommissioned officer needs to look to his left.

Jul 6, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - "Go Long!" called out one member of the Washington National Guard's Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment as they broke out a football for a five-hour layover at Contingency Operating Base Speicher

Jul 6, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Soldiers of the Indiana National Guard's 1538th Transportation Company from Elkhart, Ind. recently celebrated the end of their mission here.

Jul 6, 2009

Thousands of pizzas were served to Soldiers during the 4th of July celebration Saturday.

Jul 1, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Soldiers from the 1538th Transportation Company conducted their final mission on June 5, wrapping up a successful 12-month deployment, and marked the end of their deployment with a transfer of authority ceremony here June 25.

Jun 30, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Brig. Gen. Terry "Max" Haston, the Tennessee Army National Guard assistant to the adjutant general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Breece, the Tenn. ARNG senior enlisted leader, visited Soldiers from the 776th Maintenance Company here May 27.

Jun 30, 2009

Jun 30, 2009

Twenty-eight Alaska Guardsmen, flying C-23 Sherpa aircraft, deliver cargo and transport service members around Iraq every day to sustain Coalition forces.

Jun 30, 2009

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - The 590th Quartermaster Company from Fort Drum, N.Y., a field service company deployed here in March 2008, transferred its authority to the 855th QM Co., from South Bend, Ind., June 12.

Jun 29, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - Knowing what to expect and how to react during a vehicle rollover were the learning objectives of the 287th Sustainment Brigade's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Egress Training here May 29

Jun 29, 2009

JOINT SECURITY STATION LOYALTY, Iraq - As part of the responsible drawdown of forces in Iraq, leaders are presented with a number of challenges. One of these challenges is, 'what do we do with all this stuff''

Jun 29, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Iraqi Army and 3d Sustainment Command Expeditionary leaders from across Iraq met here to discuss current and future operations of Iraqi Army supply and maintenance systems June 23.

Jun 29, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - It was the third charge, the third explosion of a roadside bomb that took off his leg. The last time Sgt. Christopher A. Burrell was in Iraq he was pulled from a burning vehicle in Sadr City, a neighborhood in Baghdad. A tourniquet applied by another Soldier saved his life, but a nurse here at the Air Force Theater Hospital had to break the tragic news-his left leg was gone, taken by an explosively formed projectile.

Jun 24, 2009

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - The 639th Quartermaster Company, an element of Montana Army National Guard from Libby, Kalispell and Havre, Mont., have a unique mission building Iraqi civil capacity one vehicle at a time

Jun 23, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Corn-hole toss, a favorite mid-western U.S. game, has become a popular past time for the Indiana National Guard Soldiers based here.

Jun 23, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - Washington Army National Guard's Sgt. 1st Class Christine Viene believes in military education, and has put her belief into practice during this deployment.

Jun 23, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ-EAST, Iraq - A lot has changed since Sgt. 1st Class Hershel Mayfield was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969. Mayfield, a native of Tallassee, Alabama, served 39 years with the 158th Maintenance Company, Alabama Army National Guard.

Jun 22, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - Staff Sgt. Walter J. Ashcraft believes a noncommissioned officer should be a positive influence and care for their Soldiers.

Jun 22, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, commanding general of the 3d Sustainment Command Expeditionary, from Fort Knox, Ky., toured the central receiving and shipping point and the 259th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion headquarters building to evaluate improvements and procedures here June 7.

Jun 22, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - An Elizabethton, Tenn., unit has demonstrated commitment to the Security Agreement by fixing humvees being transferred to the Government of Iraq.

Jun 22, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Two Soldiers of Foxtrot Company, 949th Brigade Support Battalion from Terrell, Texas, were taught the Caiman Field Level Maintenance - New Equipment Training course on a Caiman Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle by civilian contractors during a five day course here.

Jun 22, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Deploying to a combat zone often means spending time away from family and loved ones. But for one father-son pair here, deployment meant seeing a lot more of one another.

Jun 22, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - The "High Rollers" of the 208th Financial Management Company from Mannheim, Germany provide most of the battlefield finance support to Soldiers and civilians throughout central Iraq.

Jun 22, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - The 80th Ordnance Battalion assumed authority from the 259th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion during a transfer of authority ceremony here June 17.

Jun 17, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - Serving in Iraq is a Family affair for many Washington Army National Guard Soldiers in Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment here.

Jun 16, 2009

HABUR GATE, Iraq - There are three ways that most U.S. Army supplies enter Iraq: by air, by sea through Kuwait, or by convoy through Turkey. On the Turkish border in northern Iraq is a small Army convoy support center run by Logistical Task Force Alpha, 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade.

Jun 16, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Night vision devices with a combined price tag of nearly $59,000. Saddle assembly gun mounts valued at more than $22,000. Armor for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle totaling approximately $10,000.

Jun 16, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - Soldiers from the 351st Ordnance Company and the 30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, along with the Department of Public Works here, built a new stock control and transportation office at the "Scorpion" ammunition supply point.

Jun 16, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Training is critical in developing and maintaining the skills and discipline needed for Soldiers in order to have a successful safe mission- whether in a training exercise or deployment to a combat zone.

Jun 16, 2009

Jun 16, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - The Iraqi Security Forces section of the 10th Sustainment Brigade here said it has shifted away from its role as trainers to the Iraqi Army and is now in the early mentorship phase of its partnership with them.

Jun 15, 2009

DHI QAR PROVINCE, Iraq -Soldiers have reduced rock throwing incidents by children here over the last few months by participating in civil military operations and educating Bedouin families about the "safety first" campaign.

Jun 10, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - Thirty-nine National Guard Soldiers spent a week grappling other in the first Army combatives level-1 course offered at the 1st Battalion, 185th Armor Regiment here May 4 to May 11.

Jun 10, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - Washington Army National Guard leader's- Brig. Gen. Gordon Toney, assistant adjutant general and Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn Lee-visited National Guard Soldiers here May 28.

Jun 9, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Since April 2008, a handful of Soldiers here tested brakes, turned wrenches and inspected parts to ensure nearly 1,800 humvees were ready for their next mission.

Jun 9, 2009

Leaders from the 3d Sustainment Command Expeditionary and Oasis International Waters, Inc., opened a water bottling and purification plant during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, June 8.

Jun 9, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - After nearly a year of planning, building and furnishing, the Q-West Dental Clinic opened its doors here May 23.

Jun 9, 2009

DHI QAR PROVINCE, Iraq - Key leaders from the 287th Sustainment Brigade enjoyed a lunch with Shaykh Ali Mohamed Al Manshed of the Al Ghizi tribe in Al Manshed village May 21.

Jun 8, 2009

Coalition forces opened two lanes of traffic along Main Supply Route Tampa for use by Iraqi travelers during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday.

Jun 8, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, the commanding general of Army Materiel Command, and Mr. Dean G. Popps, the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics and Technology visited Joint Base Balad, Iraq, June 4-5.

Jun 8, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Staff Maj. Gen. Muniem, Iraqi Army Director of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, and Brig. Gen. Nabeel, EME deputy, visited the 3d Sustainment Command Expeditionary here Tuesday, to observe U.S. military practices and processes for maintenance and repair parts sustainment operations.

Jun 6, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq -Visitors from the Iraqi Army's preventative health and food preparation teams, 10th Division Iraqi Army toured the dining facility here April 28.

Jun 6, 2009

Jun 6, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Texas Army National Guard Soldiers of Foxtrot Company, 949th Brigade Support Battalion, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, were taught the driver's training course on the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle here May 2.

Jun 5, 2009

June 2 marked the 5th Annual Chief of Staff of the Army, Combined Logistics Excellence Awards ceremony and banquet.

Jun 5, 2009

Commentary written by one of the chaplains in the National Capital Region to appear in the Pentagram's weekly "Chaplain's Corner."

Jun 4, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - Soldiers in the 70th Transportation Company, 391st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, are combating mid-tour fatigue with up-to-date combat training here

Jun 4, 2009

SALAH AD-DIN PROVINCE, Iraq - Soldiers from the 10th Sustainment Brigade and the 2nd Battalion, 36th Iraqi Army Brigade delivered donated school supplies to the Al Mustaqbal School, located in the town of 50 Dar North, here May 3.

Jun 4, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - For one transportation Soldier from Contingency Operating Base Speicher, her re-enlistment ceremony here was a memorable one.

Jun 4, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - The company commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Sustainment Command Expeditionary, handed over the reins of leadership during a ceremony here May 22.

Jun 4, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Sustainers honored fallen U.S. Service Members during a Memorial Day ceremony here May 25.

Jun 4, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - Forty-six new noncommissioned officers were officially inducted into the corps of noncommissioned officers during a ceremony at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation base complex here May 16.

Jun 4, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Approximately 80 Soldiers from across Iraq, Afghanistan and the United States met for a biannual medical logistics conference here May 19-21.

Jun 3, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - As the U.S. closes combat outposts in urban areas to comply with the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement, many Coalition units across Iraq will work harder to deal with increased movement of troops and equipment.

Jun 3, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ-EAST, Iraq - Several Soldiers from the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion here have a determination to quit smoking before redeploying this summer.

Jun 2, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - The 391st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion transferred authority to the 264th CSSB during a ceremony here, May 25.

May 28, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Six Sustainer noncommissioned officers joined the exclusive Sergeant Audie Murphy Club here Thursday. According to its Fort Knox website, the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club recognizes those NCOs "who have contributed significantly to the development of a professional NCO Corps and a combat ready Army. Members exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development and welfare of Soldiers and concern for Families of Soldiers."

May 27, 2009

DIYALA PROVINCE, Iraq - After working nine months with the Iraq Army's 5th Division, 3rd Line Regional Maintenance Company at Kirkush Military Training Base, the Logistical Training Advisory Team transferred the mission to several Soldiers from the 699th Maintenance Company here May 2.

May 27, 2009

May 27, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - "Being a non-commissioned officer is about leading, training and mentoring Soldiers," said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Helmer, battalion motor sergeant, 391st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade.

May 27, 2009

May 27, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - The 330th Transportation Battalion from Fort Bragg, N.C., conducted a transfer of authority with the 49th Trans. Bn., out of Fort Hood, Texas, during a transfer of authority ceremony here May 16. For the past 15 months, the 330th Trans. Bn. provided logistics and distribution management across Iraq.

May 26, 2009

TALLIL, Iraq - Coalition forces returned control of the ancient archaeological site Ur, the biblical birthplace of Abraham, back to Iraqi authorities here in a grand ceremony staged at the footstep of Ur's most famous artifact - the partially restored 4,100-year-old Ziggurat.

May 20, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Washington Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment Soldiers took time off from the roads to enjoy camaraderie while promoting unit cohesion during the first Highlander Games here April 30.

May 20, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - She fidgeted with her black bracelet showing a black and white portrait of a man wearing dark sunglasses inscribed with a date and some words. Underneath her uniform, she wears a cross concealing within it, a vial of ashes. She smiled as she said, "I am a walking memorial of my brother."

May 20, 2009

SALAH AD-DIN PROVINCE, Iraq - It was more than 20 years ago when the Iraqi government built a road to connect Iraq Highway 1 with the Balad air base and nearby Bakir Village. Since that time the population in this province has grown. Not only did this road support the air base, local farmers and province residents depended on this highway as well.

May 20, 2009

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - For every Orozco, there's an Alderman. For every Garcia, there's a Wallace. For every Rodriguez, there's a Scholari. The Texas Army National Guardsmen of 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry Regiment (Task Force Avalanche) are as culturally diverse as their state. In recognition of this shared heritage, the unit celebrates a different culturally-inspired holiday every month.

May 20, 2009

In the last nine months they've trained and processed more than 12,000 Soldiers into the Iraq Theater of operations. By the time they leave in August, that number is expected to climb to nearly 18,000.

May 19, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Two Marines from the 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group traveled from Al Taqaddum, Iraq to train at the container repair yard here April 19 to 22.

May 19, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Brig. Gen. Karen E. LeDoux, commanding general, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), U.S. Army Reserves from Des Moines, Iowa, met with Soldiers from the 847th Human Resources Company here April 23, to emphasize the importance of the mission Reserve Soldiers perform in Iraq.

May 19, 2009

DHI QAR PROVINCE, Iraq - Coalition leaders from the 287th Sustainment Brigade celebrated Earth Day by teaching the necessity and wonder of plant life to students at Al Moamen School here April 22.

May 19, 2009

TIKRIT, Iraq - Sustainment Soldiers traveled to a nearby orphanage here with boxes of school supplies donated by Longs Peak Middle School students, Longmont, Colo., for Iraqi school children April 18.

May 19, 2009

DHI QAR PROVINCE, Iraq - Many happy young students at the Al Moamen School were excited as the Kansas Guard Soldiers from the 287th Special Troops Battalion, 287th Sustainment Brigade visited and delivered school supplies for the students and teachers here May 5.

May 18, 2009

In the Army, engineers routinely fix, tear down and build structures on land. One such team of engineers does their tasks with an added challenge of an air tank strapped to their backs in depths far lower than commercial divers.

May 15, 2009

This is a story of the Executive Dining Facility whose Soldiers serve up masterpiece meals to the likes of Secretary Geren.

May 15, 2009

One evening, a casualty officer and I drove down the road on our way to inform a Soldier's spouse that her husband had died in Iraq. As an Army chaplain, many thoughts entered my mind. I thought about how difficult it would be for this young mother and how empty the two children's lives would be without their dad. On our way to the house, the casualty officer had assured me that he would be able to deliver the sad news. But when we got to our destination his confidence disappeared.

May 15, 2009

FORWARD OPERATING BASE PROSPERITY, Iraq - Three Forward Logistics Element Soldiers with the 398th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion were trained on the technical operations and maintenance of Kalmar's Rough Terrain Container Handler here, to assist in the movement of shipping containers during the loading and unloading from transport trucks.

May 15, 2009

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Bamberg, Germany's 317th Maintenance Company has several Soldiers with Family members in theater - sharing the hardship and experience of their deployment together.

May 13, 2009

Congratulations to the winners and runners-up of the Army's 2009 Logistics Excellence Awards.

May 13, 2009

CONVOY SUPPORT CENTER SCANIA, Iraq - Thirteen Airmen partner with Soldiers here every month to support convoy operations between Kuwait and Baghdad.

May 12, 2009

May 12, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Representing 30 different states and 23 unique Reserve commands, Soldiers from the 63rd Regional Readiness Command from Los Alamitos, Calif., received their 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) combat patch during a ceremony here April 17.

May 11, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-West, Iraq - First Sgt. Keith Edwards from the 51st Transportation Company, 30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, was awarded the Honorable Order of Saint Christopher medallion in front of his transportation company's headquarters here April 27.

May 11, 2009

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - Fort Drum Soldiers encased their colors and handed over their mission to a South Carolina Army National Guard unit during a transfer of authority ceremony here May 3.

May 11, 2009

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - The U.S. military is fielding a new vehicle rollover simulator to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

May 9, 2009

CONVOY SUPPORT CENTER SCANIA, Iraq - Coalition forces will return part of Main Supply Route Tampa here to the Iraqi government this summer.