Photo By Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith | Reattaching hoses to an air compressor, Lance Cpl. Joshua Luck, a Marine from Las...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Moving personnel and parts throughout the battle space can be a difficult task for any unit working on the front lines of Operation Enduring Freedom. Without the added support of a small section of Marines, tracking and facilitating the flow of worn out equipment and fresh troops would come to a near halt.
The Logistics and Operations cell provides the much needed support to battalions who may need an extra hand in ordering and maintaining gear, communication assets, motor transportation and the occasional mail call.
The Marines of the LNO for Regimental Combat Team 8 bring all of these skills to the table to support the units in northern Helmand province.
“If it needs to go somewhere or someone needs to get someplace, we are the ones who handle it,” said Sgt. Owen Jones, the mobility chief for the LNO, RCT-8. “It’s important to have a face for the regiment in a major hub like Camp Leatherneck.”
“If the unit needs something repaired, we will take care of the liaison and ensure they are getting the gear turned in and replaced or repaired as quickly as possible,” said Jones, and Indianapolis native.
The LNO team doesn’t just rely on assistance from other units, they are prepared to support with their own Marines as well. The small operation is a conglomeration of different military occupational specialties with each member contributing to the mission.
Communications, motor transportation, supply, embarkation and medical personnel are all prepared to support.
The motor transportation section for RCT-8 LNO has been instrumental in the continual success of the cell.
“We’re a small group of Marines providing logistical support to RCT-8 as well as supporting our battalion’s needs,” said Gunnery Sgt. Gregg Bellucci, the motor transportation chief with the LNO cell for RCT-8. “It’s a pretty large order to fill but my Marines are doing their part to make sure everyone is supported.”
The motor transportation section of the LNO involves nine Marines, two mechanics, one tank mechanic, and six operators. All of them continually pitch in to assist with fixing and maintaining of vehicles brought in from the front lines.
“We have our own battle here; keeping the Marines in the battle space in the fight,” said Bellucci, a native of Smithfield, R.I. “My Marines know and understand what they have to do. They understand the role they play and do their best to support.”
The section takes in broken gear from the battalion and facilitates that gear moving through the different levels of maintenance it needs.
“Here we are a drop-and-go point for battalions,” said Bellucci. “They bring their broken vehicles to us and if they need another one, we make sure they get it.”
The Marines also handle all licensing and turn in of hazardous materials for the battalions in the regiment’s operating area.
“Just in the past two months we have turned in more than 7,000 gallons of waste oil,” said Bellucci.
“Between the licensing, maintenance, and the daily supply and troop movements, there is never a dull moment from sun up to sun down,” said Bellucci. “How they work together and with the amount of work we have accomplished since we arrived never ceases to amaze me. I’m proud of them and would never ask for a better team.”
| Date Taken: | 03.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.06.2011 12:51 |
| Story ID: | 66580 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 408 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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