The 402nd Army Field Support Brigade, Joint Base Balad, Iraq

By JBB-I for STAND-TO!August 27, 2010

The 402nd Army Field Support Brigade, Joint Base Balad, Iraq

What is it'

The 402nd Army Field Support Brigade (AFSB) is the single face to the field for Army Materiel Command (AMC) sustainment logistics forming a Materiel Enterprise in Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar that integrates acquisition, logistics, and technology to protect, equip, and sustain the warfighter. The 402nd AFSB works hand-in-hand with United States Forces - Iraq, the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and the 1st Theater Support Command (TSC) to provide unparalleled operational and strategic support to the warfighter.

The 402nd AFSB is headquartered at Joint Base Balad, Iraq and is comprised of more than 8,000 military, Department of the Army Civilians, and contractors assigned to four battalions. Each of the brigade's four battalions is assigned a unique functional mission ranging from operational sustainment of equipment to management of Army pre-positioned stock commodities.

What has the Army done'

The 402nd AFSB (one of seven AFSBs assigned to the Army Sustainment Command, a two-star command headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill.) is staffed and equipped to accomplish a broad range of missions. The unit's large workforce is capable of performing depot-level maintenance and direct liaison with life cycle management commands. The 402nd AFSB's vast industrial sites in Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar provide unprecedented capacity for sustainment maintenance and logistical support.

The 402nd AFSB core mission of sustainment logistics is absolutely vital as the Responsible Drawdown of Forces (RDoF) continues in Iraq. The Army Materiel Command, and the Army Sustainment Command, will continue to resource the 402nd AFSB so it can provide unequalled warfighter access to AMC's Materiel Enterprise.

What efforts does the Army plan to continue in the future'

As the RDoF in Iraq continues, the 402nd ASFB will evolve to provide mission-focused and condition-based sustainment to support to United States Forces - Iraq, US Army and Central Command units. The 402nd AFSB will transform to provide sustainment commensurate to the troop strength and equipment density levels within Iraq. As the RDoF reaches its conclusion, the 402nd AFSB subordinate battalions in Iraq will be ready to relocate, re-structure, or deactivate. The Army Prepositioned Stocks battalions in Kuwait and Qatar will continue to provide world-class support to ARCENT (3rd Army) and the 1st TSC.

Why is this important to the Army'

The non-doctrinal Redistribution Property Assistance Team (RPAT) and mobile RPAT, which so effectively assisted bringing property into theater for the Iraq surge, are now the hub for all equipment retrograded out of Iraq. The Soldiers, civilians, and contractors assigned to the 402nd AFSB will carry out the myriad tasks associated with the RDoF in Iraq.

Resources:

AKO log in required:</I> <a href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/grouppage/37853" target="_blank"> 402nd AFSB webpage </a>

<a href="http://www.aschq.army.mil/home/default.aspx" target="_blank">Army Sustainment Command webpage </a>

<a href="http://www.army.mil/info/organization/unitsandcommands/commandstructure/amc/" target="_blank"> Army Materiel Command webpage </a>

Related article: <a href=" http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/06/24/41297-asc-commanding-general-visits-402nd-afsb-in-iraq/ " target="_blank"> ASC commanding general visits 402nd AFSB in Iraq</a>