BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (June 19, 2012) -- Since their mobilization in July of 2011, Soldiers of the 395th Ordnance Company have been busy keeping Service Members serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom supplied with the ammunition needed to accomplish their respective missions.
An Army Reserve unit based out of Appleton, Wis., the 395th Ord. Co. is responsible for issuing and distributing ammunition to units deployed throughout Afghanistan. Working mainly out of Bagram Airfield's ammunition supply point, the 395th Ord. Co. is also responsible for ensuring the base's munitions is kept safe and secure.
"As far as ammunition is concerned, nothing in RC-East (Regional Command) moves unless it comes through the 395th," said Staff Sgt. Gregory Duzinske, a movement noncommissioned officer with the 395th Ord. Co.
Deployed now for nearly a year, the 395th Ord. Co. provides munitions support to troops located at 9 different locations throughout Afghanistan. On daily basis, Soldiers of the 395th Ord. Co. working at the ASP handle both the issuance and shipping of ammunition through directives. Both began with a request for ammunition, and then once approved, the 395th Ord. Co. either issues or ships depending on the request.
Another mission the 395th Ord. Co. has been busy with involves ammunition amnesty. During an amnesty day held earlier this year, the 395th Ord. Co. partnered with the Joint Munitions Command, 401st Army Field Support Brigade, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, 10th Sustainment Brigade , and Bagram Installation Safety Office to aid in the collection of more than 120, 050 ammunition and explosive items. Events of this type allow units to turn in ammunition not recovered through the normal supply channels.
"For example, if a Soldier finds ammunition, there are amnesty boxes located at various points on base to allow them to turn it in," said Sgt. Gregory Pollack, an ammunition NCO with the 395th Ord. Co. "Our Soldiers then collect these boxes and ensure that the ammunition is disposed of properly."
While manning the ammunition supply point, the 395th Ord. Co. has made many improvements to the facility and are currently preparing for their transfer of authority with their replacements. Nearing the end of their deployment, Soldiers of the 395th Ord. Co. said they were proud of all they've accomplished in the past year.
"In the ammunition world there's a saying that you can survive weeks without food, days without water and minutes without air, but you can't survive a second without ammunition," said Pollack.
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