IRAQ - Service members from the U.S. Army Reserves 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command based in Indianapolis combined forces with Soldiers from the 82nd Sustainment Brigade Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to create a specialized logistics unit to advise and assist Iraqi security forces in support Operation Inherent Resolve.
The 310th ESC Forward Advise and Assist Team will train, advise and assist Iraqi security forces in order to build their capabilities with logistics operations during the next year.
"Our task is to take a team of subject matter experts to Iraq to assist the Iraqi security forces in improving their overall logistics operation," said Col. Michael Midkiff, commander of the A&A team. "I have the utmost confidence with the Soldiers we are taking."
Soldiers from the 310th ESC were deployed to Fort Hood at the end of October to take over operations for the 13th ESC who deployed to Kuwait. A specialized unit was identified from their ranks to join with Soldiers from the 82nd SUS BDE to deploy as logistics advisers.
"This mission demonstrates the diversity of current deployments and is a unique opportunity for Soldiers from different components to come together and share skill sets," said Sgt. Maj. Terence Clay 82nd SUS BDE and the Advise and Assist sergeant major. "We will benefit from the skills that Reserve Soldiers bring from both their military and civilian backgrounds. They not only have their military skill set but also bring valuable skills from their civilian jobs."
The team is made up of predominantly experienced senior noncommissioned officers and officers, with multiple deployments under their belts. For a few, this is their third to fourth deployment to Iraq.
Master Sgt. Cedric Fluker, the A&A Operations noncommissioned officer in charge is on his seventh overseas deployment, his third to Iraq and is the oldest member of the team with more than 30 years of military experience. "Army Reserve units tend to have older, more mature Soldiers," Fluker said. "The Iraqis look for maturity in their counterparts and automatically have respect for older, experienced Soldiers as part of their culture."
In 2011, members of the 310th ESC were deployed to Iraq to help close down U.S. military bases and turn them over to Iraqi control. Now, they are returning to advise and assist Iraqi security forces on sustaining their troops with their battle against ISIS.
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