Motor transport sections provide supplies throughout area

Photo By Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr | Lance Cpl. Victor LopezVega halts a vehicle in the motor transport lot aboard Combat Outpost Shamsher, Afghanistan, Dec. 19, 2012. As a motor transport mechanic, LopezVega is one of the many Marines with the motor transport section of Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, who work together to maintain equipment and deliver supplies throughout northern Helmand province.  

AFGHANISTAN

12.20.2012

Story by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr 

Regional Command Southwest

COMBAT OUTPOST SHAMSHER, Afghanistan – As a main logistical hub in northern Helmand province, Marines operating at Combat Outpost Shamsher continuously supply and support Marines and their coalition partners in their area of operations.

The motor transport section for Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, plays an integral part ensuring surrounding units are supplied and operational.

“We supply everything and anything to the Marines who are out here,” said 1st Lt. James F. Collins, motor transport officer for H&S Co. “Everybody’s happy to see what we are bringing to them, whether it is the operators delivering supplies or the mechanics coming in to turn those wrenches and get them up and running.”

The motor transport section is comprised of several Marines who are split into two main shops, maintenance and operations.

“The operations section conducts logistical convoys and vehicle recoveries,” said Cpl. Robert J. O’Brien, motor transport operator, H&S Co. “We convoy out with chow and water. We support pretty much all the (forward operating bases) in the surrounding area.”

In addition to providing critical supplies like food and water, the operations section also delivers other essential equipment to FOBs while also retrograding gear no longer needed.

With the operations section constantly on the move from base to base, the maintenance side is consistently turning wrenches and fixing any tactical vehicle and piece of gear they can get their hands on.

“We see (Mine-Resistant, Ambush Protected vehicles) and (MRAP All-Terrain Vehicles) all the way to generators and (air conditioner) units,” said Cpl. Daniel A. Gonzalez, motor transport mechanic, H&S Co. “We handle second echelon maintenance and a limited amount of third. When it comes to second echelon, it’s mostly just the basics. For example, just maintaining (the vehicles and equipment) and doing oil changes.

“It’s an everyday thing,” said Gonzalez. “Trucks come in and out, and our job is to get them up as soon as possible and get them back operating. Operators depend on us to keep their trucks up and running.”

Thanks to their tireless work, the tactical vehicles used by the motor transport operators remain functional and able to support the units at remote bases in Helmand province.

“We actually just did the numbers,” said O’Brien. “We are close to moving three million pounds, or about a million pounds a month.”

Figures like that show just how busy the motor transport section has been maintaining vehicles and delivering vital supplies to the Marines who need it the most.

“It builds morale, and it’s their livelihood,” said Collins. “It’s that morning chow that’s going to get them up and going. We deliver a little bit of everything to keep them going.”

• Date Taken: 12.20.2012
• Date Posted: 12.20.2012 08:17
• Story ID: 99581
• Location: AF