DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, Poland -- Paper clips, computer screens, fuel, beans, bullets, and virtually everything that can be shipped has a National Stock Number or a similar label assigned to it for ordering and resupplying purposes.
For the Army logisticians assigned to Company A, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, deployed in Poland for Atlantic Resolve, two questions persist, "What supplies are each unit in the field requesting? And how do I get said supplies to various units separated hours from each other?"
"When we do our [logistics package] movements," said 1st Lt. Chase Wilson, "what we do is move any kind of class of supply that the maneuver units may need."
The crew recently completed a nearly 90-mile convoy from Skwierzyna, Poland.
"Today," Wilson said, "we moved Class IX repair parts ... we also moved Class III fuel."
As many Soldiers know, convoys can go much farther than 90 miles. Some convoys that support units conduct missions that last days, carrying equipment and supplies that are critical to ground forces' ability to complete their missions. These missions are often time-sensitive and require keen attention to detail.
"It's very important because without those logistics, those troops cannot move," said Spc. Varlee Talawally, water purification specialist.
Spc. Devin Whitehurst said it raises morale when Soldiers are well supplied, and they know they can rely on support units capable of supporting them wherever they are. As famous battles in history have shown, the inability of one side to resupply forces can easily decide the outcome of a conflict.
"We fuel the fight," Whitehurst said. "If we can't get the fuel to the fight, there probably will be no motivation to carry out the mission."
The unit is slated to support Atlantic Resolve in various allied and partner countries. Staff Sgt. William Hudson, the unit's water section leader, expressed excitement.
"I've never been to Europe," he said. "I've never worked with any NATO forces. It's definitely going to be a new experience for me."
Hudson said he looks forward sharing knowledge and learning lessons from his allied counterparts that he can take back to the field.
The 3rd Armored Brigade is the first of back-to-back armored brigade rotations that will rotate through Europe as part of Atlantic Resolve. The rotation is meant to enhance deterrence capabilities in the region, improve the U.S. ability to respond to potential crises, and defend allies and partners in the European community.
U.S. forces will focus on strengthening capabilities and sustaining readiness through bilateral and multinational training and exercises.
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U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51 country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.
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