401st AFSBn-Afghanistan 'face to the field' impresses CJTF logistics leadership during visit

By Justin Graff, 401st AFSB Public AffairsAugust 2, 2016

401st AFSBn-Afghanistan 'face to the field' impresses CJTF logistics leadership during visit
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 401st Army Field Support Battalion-Afghanistan Commander, Lt. Col. Danny Robinson (right), discusses logistics support and maintenance with U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Edward Banta, incoming deputy CJ-4 (logistics), Combined Joint Task Force Resolut... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
401st AFSBn-Afghanistan 'face to the field' impresses CJTF logistics leadership during visit
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Edward Banta (left), incoming deputy CJ-4 (logistics), Combined Joint Task Force Resolute Support walks through a MRAP vehicle warehouse with 401st Army Field Support Battalion-Afghanistan personnel during his visit to th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
401st AFSBn-Afghanistan 'face to the field' impresses CJTF logistics leadership during visit
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 401st Army Field Support Battalion-Afghanistan Commander, Lt. Col. Danny Robinson (right), discusses logistics support and maintenance with U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Edward Banta, incoming deputy CJ-4 (logistics), Combined Joint Task Force Resolut... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- The incoming deputy CJ-4 (logistics), Combined Joint Task Force Resolute Support visited the 401st Army Field Support Battalion-Afghanistan here, July 30, to get a firsthand look at how the battalion provides logistic support throughout Afghanistan.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Edward Banta, incoming deputy CJ-4 (logistics), CJTF Resolute Support, toured equipment warehouses and spoke with 401st AFSBn-Afghanistan Commander, Lt. Col. Danny Robinson about the battalion's massive mission and sustainment capabilities.

"It's a really important capability and mission, and the value is tremendous for me to be able to get on the ground here and see the operation," Banta said.

Banta received short briefings from maintenance experts and had an opportunity to get a close look at some of the battalion's equipment, procedures and unique challenges.

"I'm incredibly impressed with the capability here and the talent that you have within the 401st," Banta said. "As we move forward with the mission here across Afghanistan, this is a critical capability."

The opportunity for Banta to see the current capabilities is good for logistics planning and networking, said Robinson.

"It's extremely valuable, especially for that individual who's working as the deputy CJ-4, to get into the shops here and see firsthand how we support the coalition forces," Robinson said.

"That helps tremendously with planning. Coming from a logistics planning background, knowing what networks are out there to support the warfighter, that is your solution set as a logistics planner."

The 401st AFSBn-Afghanistan provides maintenance, acquisition, fielding, and retrograde support to the joint warfighter and coalition forces throughout Afghanistan.

"It's not just an Army Sustainment Command entity," Robinson said. "It's a complete, comprehensively networked capability that can be tapped into as the U.S. Military and coalition forces do joint planning.

"It's important that we can show the strengths that we have here on the ground in country to be that face to the field and make sure the planners have a better idea of what we have available, so as units rotate in and as continuing operations evolve they know what can be tapped on the strength of what AMC has pushed forward into the theater."

The tour began only two hours after Robinson officially took command of the battalion.

"I'm glad I was able to put out the data that my team here downloaded onto me over the previous 72 hours I had been on the ground," Robinson said. "I'm relieved to have walked into an organization that's set with very solid personnel that understand their jobs and they're part of the team. I have such confidence in the team here."

Robinson said he's eager for the next opportunity to continue strengthening the logistics network in Afghanistan.

Related Links:

401st Army Field Support Battalion on Facebook

RELATED STORIES