KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The 401st Army Field Support Brigade's Army Field Support Battalion-Afghanistan's Logistics Task Force Kandahar recently completed a mission on time that reflects the changing face of the battle space and how the Resolute Support mission leverages coalition forces.
"We received a WARNO [warning order] from TAAC-South [Train Advise and Assist Command] in late December of a requirement they were drafting for validation to build an equipment set for the 33rd Mountain Battalion [Romania]," said Maj. Jon S. Durrance, LTF KAF officer in-charge. "The anticipated 'ready for issue' date was early March."
Issue of the vehicles began March 2 and was scheduled to take several days.
Durrance, a member of the Georgia National Guard from Newnan, Georgia, said his unit was part of a team of teams working together to accomplish the mission. Key players included TAAC-South planners, who worked with U.S. Forces-Afghanistan to obtain the validated equipment requirement; Task Force No Slack (2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment), who performed the "lift and sustain" function, serving as the U.S. sponsor unit for the Romanians and providing two officers to manage communications between LTF KAF and the Romanian unit; AFSBn-Afghanistan Support Operations who coordinated and communicated with 4th Resolute Sustainment Support Brigade to define requirements and resource the LTF and the entire LTF team.
The task for this team of teams was to bring a total of 35 vehicles to fully mission capable plus safety status while also sourcing weapons, counter IED (improvised explosive devices) equipment, communications equipment, and night vision equipment said Durrance.
Maintenance, and in some cases a virtual rebuild, on the vehicles was provided by the LTF's contract partner, while other contractors ensured mine rollers were fully operational, and still other contractors maintained property accountability records as the equipment moved though the stages toward being fully mission ready. accountability
U.S. Army Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians also played critical roles according to Durrance.
"My NCOIC, Sgt. 1st Class Edward S. Leach assisted in managing the entire mission," Durrance said. "He personally managed the day-to-day flow of equipment as it moved through maintenance to the various shops for equipment installations to staging ... for issue. He worked closely with the primary hand receipt holders to stage equipment in the various shops for installation. Lastly, he prioritized the efforts of the Symphony team who had significant parts shortages and went through a complete personnel turn over in late February."
The mission involved Soldiers from the 802nd Ordnance Company, a U.S. Army Reserve unit based in Gainesville, Georgia, who provided ammo abatement inspections for all equipment at various stages during the mission and who according to Durrance "assisted us in organizing equipment in the RPAT once it was staged, performing checks prior to issue and driving equipment from point to point through the maintenance and installation process."
Soldiers from 21st Inland Cargo Transfer Company, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and 32nd Transportation Company, Fort Carson, also played key roles.
"These soldiers hold an 88 series MOS [military occupation specialty] and served as primary drivers for the vehicles as we moved them through the maintenance and installation process. They assisted SFC Leach to prioritize vehicle movements, performed preventive maintenance checks and services [PMCS], and assisted the primary hand receipt holders in equipment layouts and inspections during the issue process," Durrance said. "These soldiers also served as primary drivers for the Romanians during the issue process."
Department of the Army civilians were also key team members according to Durrance.
"Errick Davis, a quality assurance specialist, ensured each truck was tracked through the maintenance cycle and properly repaired; Joshua Mannin and David Stanton, primary hand receipt holders, obtained and accounted for all the ancillary equipment needed to outfit each truck with communications and mine rollers," Durrance said. "Our CECOM partners from GFE [government furnished equipment] and Symphony performed all of the equipment testing and installation of communications equipment; and members of the Logistics Support Team provided expert advice and assistance on weapons, communications equipment and vehicles."
LTF KAF was responsible for planning, sustainment maintenance, resourcing equipment, configuring vehicles into fighting platforms, and property accountability and transfer.
"Because we have subject matter experts at every level, we were able to place the right people in key positions to provide oversight and ensure every aspect of the equipment set was properly assembled and functional," said Durrance
"This is very good for my unit - the best. I have experience with these trucks; I know the protection they provide. It's all good equipment," said Sgt. Maj. Cristian Doltu, a member of the Romanian National Service Element that provides logistics support to Romanian forces. "I'm confident my Soldiers will be safe."
"This operation represents one of Army Materiel Command's priorities by sustaining strong relationships with partner nations by providing equipment and materiel so the 33rd Mountain Battalion from the Romanian Army can accomplish their mission," said Lt. Col. Mark W. Susnis, Army Field Support Battalion-Afghanistan commander.
Related Links:
U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command
1st Theater Sustainment Command
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