Courtesy Photo | Gunner Spc. Cody Thom waits patiently on his turret and enjoys the view of the motor...... read more read more
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By Cpt. Sara Shipley
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - In today's ever-changing battlefield there are many units serving in lieu of missions. feld atillery Soldiers serve as military police; signal Soldiers serve as electronic warfare officers; and infantrymen serve as truck drivers.
Charlie Company 167th Infantry is one of these units. These Alabama Army National Guard members are giving their combat boots a rest and providing convoy security using up-armored gun trucks.
The Charlie Company "Death Dealers" are part of the Joint Logistics Task Force 1144 stationed in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The Task Force consists of Air Force units, Active Army units and Army National Guard units from all over the world. These Soldiers and Airmen run convoys that supply nearly all of the war material for combat units in Iraq.
"Everyone has more responsibility. The fire superiority and maneuverability of the unit has increased 10-fold," stated the commander, Cpt. Eric Hare of Columbus, Ga.
This mission is a big change for this 4th Alabama unit who is used to squad movement techniques and dismounted patrols.
When asked what the biggest difference was, 1st Lt. Stanislav Lozovsky from Tuscaloosa, Ala., said, "You have to rely on your team leaders to make important decisions. Basically, it's harder. The guys need to know how to do PMCS (Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services) on the equipment, operate the vehicle's radios, the MTS (Movement Tracking System), the Humvees and all the other equipment used during a convoy." 1st Lt. Lozovsky is the unit's executive officer.
"Adventure and Action" is part of the 4th Alabama Creed and these men live up to it. They are chomping at the bit to go over the berm and have a chance to earn the coveted Combat Infantry Badge.
"We, the infantry, stand next to our transportation brothers and sisters - to protect them at all costs," declared 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Hartsfield of Auburn, Ala.
All of the infantrymen have had to adjust to a new way of life. Although most would rather be kicking in doors and engaging the enemy through constant small arms fire, they have admitted there are some perks to having this mission.
"We have been able to see the whole country," said 1st Sgt. John Black of Cullman, Ala.
"Running into the other members of the task force on the road; there are always convoys running both north and south all over the country," said 1st Lt. Lozovsky
"Call signs!" said 2nd Lt. Hartsfield.
Within the first few weeks of being at Camp Arifjan, Charlie Company announced their presence by pulling pranks. Their first victim was the Battalion Commander. The door to his tent, that used to be transportation red, is now bright infantry blue and surrounded by sandbags.
"We wanted to take (the battalion commander) back to his early days – to an MOS he always wants to be," stated an anonymous member of the unit. "(We) let everyone know we're on the ground. We wanted to become part of the team right off the bat."
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2007 16:58 |
| Story ID: | 13950 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 371 |
| Downloads: | 238 |
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