CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- A group of 16 U.S. Marines visited the 401st Army Field Support Battalion-Kuwait here, Aug. 16, to learn about Army Prepositioned Stocks-5 and some of the Army's logistics practices.
The visit was a good opportunity to strengthen joint logistics relationships -- relationships that gain value and importance as the global landscape continues to grow increasingly complex, said Marine Lt. Col. Samuel Lee, commander, Combat Logistics Battalion 5.
"Nowadays, everything we do is a joint effort," Lee said. "So it's important for, especially the junior Marine officers, to understand how the Army operates. We have to stress that everything is now intertwined, so that if the next conflict occurs, now these Marine logisticians understand how the Army gets combat power into the fight."
The Marines received a briefing from 401st AFSBn-Kuwait Commander Army Lt. Col. Tim Haylett, were driven around the battalion footprint, and toured an equipment warehouse to get a firsthand look at Army maintenance procedures.
"It's critical for the Marine Corps to understand what the Army provides, and for the Army to understand what Marine Corps provides," Lee said. "Everything that we do here is joint, and that's why it's important for all the logisticians and sustainers to understand how everything works, and how much more power we have when we work jointly."
Many of the Marine guests had maintenance backgrounds, and took full advantage of the opportunity to ask questions about how the 401st AFSBn-Kuwait maintains such a large amount of equipment in a tough environment.
"Basically what I'm looking at is procedures," said Marine 1st Lt. Bret Bockenstedt, ground supply officer, Marine Wing Support Squadron 373.
"I have a maintenance background so it's interesting to see actions that the army is taking to better maintain equipment and, at the same time, save money in the long run," Brockenstedt said. "I can bring these ideas back and maybe apply them to my lane in the Marine Corps."
Haylett previously worked with Lee during exercises in the Pacific when they were both majors, and echoed Lee's emphasis on the importance of joint logistics.
"As Army Materiel Command's single face to field, we carry a massive mission capability," Haylett said. "Anytime we can get other services here and give them a chance to hear from our talented logisticians and sustainers is an opportunity to strengthen the logistics network and ultimately build capability in the future."
APS-5, which is maintained and operated by the 401st AFSBn-Kuwait, is the largest APS in the world and includes an Armored Brigade Combat Set, Infantry Brigade Combat Set, Sustainment Brigade Set, and an Army Watercraft Set.
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