Courtesy Photo | Army Reservists Sgt. Narciney Adruabba, left, attempts to break free from Spc. Erika...... read more read more
EDINBURGH, Ind.— Since the beginning, coalition forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom have championed the cause of engaging enemy forces in Iraq and developing the country into a free, democratic nation. While operations still carry on, a metamorphosis of hope is taking place as news of success and progress becomes more prevalent.
As the focus becomes more on construction and rebuilding, U.S. Army forces are called to serve a vital roll supplying logistics crucial to the mission. From the basic beans and bullets to building equipment, logistical supply and control units throughout Iraq are there to provide timely and secure assistance to coalition forces.
The Army Reserve's 55th Sustainment Brigade, Fort Belvoir, Va., is one such unit answering the call. The unit, currently training at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind., is scheduled to deploy to Iraq later this year, where they will be tasked with providing supervision and security for a large majority of logistics moving throughout Iraq.
"We don't want to fight a war; we want to assist Iraq in becoming self-sustaining," said 55th Commander Col. Therese O'Brien. "Our plan is to provide support to the Iraqi people to sustain them and help them get on with the rest of their lives."
Using Maintenance Assistance and Instruction Teams, the 55th will provide oversight of critical commodities, O'Brien said. The logistics will include food, water, fuel and construction and engineering equipment. The unit will also provide security forces to civilians, military and local national logistic convoys.
"Our job is to make sure that these logistics are safely and securely delivered throughout the theater," O'Brien said. "Timing is everything, and we make sure that things are set up for supplies at the right place and the right time."
Perfecting the art of supplying comes from experience, O'Brien said. Although the 55th is relatively new, many of its members have prior experience in Iraq or Afghanistan. Warrant Officer Tricia Leupp, a logistics supply officer, will be deploying to Iraq for the second time.
"I think if you've been deployed before, you're better acclimated to the environment and can put aside the uncertainty and jump right into the mission with clearer expectations," she said. "This experience also builds confidence in those who haven't deployed before."
Pfc. Angel Johnson, a human relations specialist with the 55th, will be deploying for the first time. "I've never been overseas, so I'm really looking forward to it," Johnson said. "This unit has many high-ranking leaders, which is good because they're experienced."
The 55th incorporates Army Reservists from around the country. Despite a collage of new faces, members of the unit are finding close camaraderie amongst each other.
"One thing that's striking in this unit is the level of morale," Leupp said. "There's a huge motivation and desire to work together. I'm very impressed with Col. O'Brien's leadership, and a successful mission starts with that."
"The unique thing about the 55th is that a large degree of our Soldiers are new to the unit, but that's no problem," O'Brien said. "We learn together and make sure to communicate down to each person. I try to meet individual needs. I started in the Army as an enlisted Soldier, so I remember standing in formation with lots of questions. I try and concentrate on my roots and put myself in their boots."
As the 55th makes its final preparations for the mission ahead, its members said that their mission will reflect the same professional and positive manner as their mobilization training.
"The question isn't how well we can make Iraq, but how can we make it better," O'Brien said. "The sky's the limit for this unit."
| Date Taken: | 02.04.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 02.04.2008 20:29 |
| Story ID: | 16048 |
| Location: | EDINBURGH, US |
| Web Views: | 383 |
| Downloads: | 245 |
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