CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ-EAST, Iraq - Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, have a unique mission providing logistical training and support for numerous American and Iraqi units in Kirkuk.
Their mission is designed to improve the relationship with the 18th CSSB personnel based in Kirkuk, who provide support as the Logistics Training Advisory Team for the 4th Motorized Transportation Regiment of the Iraqi Army.
The training focuses on direct support maintenance, safe refueling methods and ammunition handling procedures.
"I was sent to assist and teach them how to properly receive, inventory, store and ship future ammunition shipments," said Staff Sgt. Charles Price, ammunitions noncommissioned officer.
The Sandford, Maine, native is responsible for advising LTAT members and the Iraqi Army on ammunition handling procedures. He is also responsible for advising and supervising the utilization of a new ammunition storage bunker for grenades and other sensitive explosives ensuring proper storage and management of explosives.
The bunker can store and receive up to 300 short-tons of ammunition for training and 200 short-tons of incoming shipments. The Iraqi Soldiers are also trained on proper disposal of ammunition, such as methods of separating spent ammunition from live ammunition and understanding sensitive storage items.
"It is very important that they understand and follow the proper procedures of explosive safety and fire guidelines," said Price.
Sgt. 1st Class Irvin L. Moultry, a native of Tallahassee, Fla., is the battalion's bulk and retail fuel noncommissioned officer in charge.
"(The Kirkuk area) is still undergoing construction of a new fuel distribution point," Moultry said. "Once completed, it will be able to store 400,000 liters of diesel and 200,000 liters of benzene."
The unit is not cutting any corners on safety, he said.
"Safety equipment, such as eye washing stations and fire suppression systems, will be implemented in the upgraded fuel point," said Moultry.
The fuel point, once completed, will safely supply what the Army calls "class III," or fuel, to the K-1 command and the 4th MTR. The new fuel point will help reduce the amount of waste and corruption in usage, establish a strategic reserve of fuel for future use, as well as provide spillage containment areas and new traffic lanes.
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