BSB protects delivery of Soldiers' essentials:food, fuel, ammunition

By Sgt. Lucas C. Hoskins, 41st Fires Brigade PAOSeptember 27, 2010

FORT HOOD, TEXAS - Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez, a food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, returns fire on enemy forces as his convoy encountered an attack during the briga...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, TEXAS - Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez, a food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, returns fire on enemy forces as his convoy encountered an attack during the briga... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT HOOD, TEXAS - 2nd Lt. Alex Kuziel, a platoon leader in Company A, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, calls a status report up to higher headquarters after taking enemy fire during a logistical patrol as part of a brigade field ...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, TEXAS - 2nd Lt. Alex Kuziel, a platoon leader in Company A, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, calls a status report up to higher headquarters after taking enemy fire during a logistical patrol as part of a brigade field ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT HOOD, TEXAS - Pvt. 1st Class Lapoleon Hurell, a light-wheeled mechanic with Company B, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, returns fire on enemy forces his convoy encountered on a logistical patrol during the brigades field trai...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, TEXAS - Pvt. 1st Class Lapoleon Hurell, a light-wheeled mechanic with Company B, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, returns fire on enemy forces his convoy encountered on a logistical patrol during the brigades field trai... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas - Some of the most important jobs on the battlefield do not involve raiding weapons caches, searching for enemy combatants, or kicking in doors because without the simple necessities like food, fuel, ammunition, and maintenance parts none of those jobs would be possible.

Soldiers from the 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, are responsible for supplying all of the life and mission sustaining equipment to the two multiple launch rocket system battalions in their brigade.

The 589th BSB conducted training on convoy logistical patrols during the Table XV field training exercise on Fort Hood, Sept. 21.

The Table XV training is a battery level training exercise used to keep units current on standard and tactical procedures.

Baltimore native, 2nd Lt. Alex Kuziel, currently serving as a platoon leader in Company A, 589th BSB, was tasked with being the convoy commander. Kuziel finds himself welcomed to the position with a little more than a year in the Army and a few weeks at his first assignment.

"This was the really the first convoy I've taken place in," said Kuziel. "I had great support from the noncommissioned officers as well as my fellow lieutenants, which made it easier."

The convoy consisted of eight vehicles and 21 Soldiers. Along the route, the convoy came upon a road block which was booby-trapped by enemy forces. Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez, originally from Santa Monica, Calif., assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 589th BSB as a food service specialist, was the first to react to the contact.

"I used as much of the rules of engagement and escalation of force as I could," said Rodriguez. "When I saw the first grenade being thrown, I was forced to take action quickly. Being in the front security vehicle you have to be on alert at all times."

Kuziel called his situation report to the battalion's tactical operations center immediately.

"They can follow us on the Blue Force Tracker and are able to see our exact location at all times," Kuziel said. "It's important to let them know what's going on so they can send help if the situation gets out of control."

As the attack escaladed, the rear security vehicle which was equipped with a .50-caliber machine gun that pushed forward to help suppress the attack.

Pvt. 1st Class Lapoleon Hurell, native to Georgetown, S. C., assigned to Company B, 589th BSB as a light wheel mechanic, was on the trigger of the machine gun.

"This is what we have been training for, so it's good to see it actually put to use," said Hurell. "Even though I'm a mechanic by trade, I have to stay in the Soldier-first mentality. I have to remember that as a gunner, other people's lives are in my hands."

When asked about the overall performance of his team Kuziel said, "Overall everyone did an outstanding job for a first run. We have a few things we can work on, but the bottom line is that the mission got accomplished in a timely and safe matter."

At the end of the day the war fighters got all the supplies they needed and everyone returned to camp. Similar training for the 41st Fires Brigade will continue until their return from the field Sept. 28.