Property Book Officers learn to streamline retrograde process in Afghanistan

By Summer Barkley, 401st AFSB Public AffairsMarch 6, 2013

PBOs gather to streamline retrograde process and move excess
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Property Book Officers who attended the first OEF Theater Property Book Officer Rehearsal of Concept drill Feb. 20-21 learn more about the ammunition abatement process for ensuring all vehicles retrograded from theater are free of ammunition, brass a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
PBOs gather to streamline retrograde process and move excess
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Property Book Officers who attended the first OEF Theater Property Book Officer Rehearsal of Concept drill Feb. 20-21 learn more about the ammunition abatement carried out by specially trained teams in the redistribution property assistance yards... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
PBOs gather to streamline retrograde process and move excess
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Property Book Officers who attended the first OEF Theater Property Book Officer Rehearsal of Concept drill Feb. 20-21 learn more about the ammunition abatement process for ensuring all vehicles retrograded from theater are free of ammunition, brass a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Property Book Officers from across the Combined Joint Operations Area-Afghanistan met Feb. 20-21 for a two-day "ROC" drill sponsored by 1st Theater Sustainment Command and the 401st Army Field Support Brigade to begin setting conditions for retrograde of thousands of pieces of non-mission essential equipment from the Combined/Joint Operations Area.

The first Operation Enduring Freedom Theater Property Book Officer Rehearsal of Concept drill was designed to set the posture for retrograde operations while increasing equipment visibility to assist the Army's ability to resupply, reset and accomplish force generation at all levels of command.

Milestones include identifying excess equipment; gain disposition instructions for excess; turn in the nominated equipment; and track the retrograde efforts.

"The two major objectives are to identify excess Class VII and ensure the widest dissemination of business rules," said Maj. Anthony Boniface, supply and services branch chief, 1st TSC.

"Don't be afraid to get rid of stuff," said Brig. Gen. Steven Shapiro, 1st TSC deputy commanding general. "Be careful what you take home."

Shapiro added that Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services will be increasing mobile sites to reduce the necessity of moving equipment slated for disposition within the theater. It will be prepared for disposition at forward locations.

Underscoring the significance of the conference was the attendance by the Department of the Army G4 (Logistics) Policy chief, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Reginald Noel. He spent some time discussing how the PBOs can help their commanders balance equipment needed for combat missions with the need to retrograde non-mission essential equipment.

"I'm going back to replicate this for my battalion and company commanders who will have to do the legwork," said Lt. Col. Yvette Rose, Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command G4 officer-in-charge. "When we start, we'll find out where the holes are."

"There was a lot of good information back and forth and issues to look at," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen Spraberry, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, property book officer. "We were able to look at issues and look for solutions to put in place. It should make the drawdown smoother and easier."

"After the conference, RCs (Regional Commands) will have one week to validate excess equipment and provide any reclama (request a reconsideration of a decision or a change in policy) to retain any excess," was stated in the calling message for the conference. "No later than 45 days from the completion of the conference, a FRAGO will be published directing the turn-in and reduction of excess."

The 401st AFSB is one of seven brigades under the Army Sustainment Command, headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. ASC sustains Army and joint forces around the world.

Related Links:

U.S. Army Materiel Command

U.S. Army Sustainment Command

1st Theater Sustainment Command

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