"Durable" pays a visit to a customer in Rustamiyah

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Bryant Maude | Col. Kevin O'Connell, the commander for the 1st Sustainment Brigade, tours the Supply Support Activity with Philadelphia native Chief Joseph Stewart, the accountability officer for Company A, 94th Brigade Support Battalion and Sparkman, Ark., native Staff Sgt. Carlet Williams the warehouse non-commissioned officer in charge. "Last month alone we pushed 49,000 requisitions back into the system an estimated $59 million," said Stewart. (Photo/Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude)  

RUSTAMIYAH, IRAQ

02.08.2008

Courtesy Story

316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

By Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude
1st Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office

CAMP RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq – Col. Kevin O'Connell, the commander of the 1st Sustainment Brigade, took an early morning flight to Camp Rustamiyah with a few of his team members in an effort to gage the logistical support his Soldiers are offering to one of their numerous customers throughout Multi-National Division-Baghdad, the 94th Brigade Support Battalion.

A short briefing given by the command team of the 94th BSB, led by their commander, Lt. Col. Sam Russell, allowed O'Connell to get a snapshot of where the newly deployed 94th BSB sits now that they are in the driver's seat at Rustamiyah.

"It takes a while to get your steady state," said O'Connell. "Continue to find ways to improve, continue to communicate, and find a counterpart at the 1st SB who you can bounce ideas off," continued O'Connell.

Later, the team navigated their way around the base talking with Soldiers of the 94th BSB. One of their stops was at the newly renovated Supply Support Activity run by Company A, 94th BSB.

Chief Warrant Officer Two Joseph Stewart, the accountability officer for the 94th BSB, has been impressed with the efforts one of the 1st SB battalions is offering.

"The 168th has been providing outstanding support," stated Stewart. "Last month alone we pushed 49,000 requisitions back into the system – an estimated $59 million."

The 168th Brigade Support Battalion, or "Make it Happen," is one of five battalions under the 1st SB serving throughout the Multi-National Division-Baghdad.

Stewart noted that since their arrival in early December, 2007, the SSA was able to process an estimated 72,000 material release orders (repair parts, office supplies or engineer equipment) at a value of $127 million thanks to the support of the 168th BSB.

The tour also included stops at maintenance operations, medical facilities, and fuel operations of the 94th BSB where O'Connell had time to listen and discuss support with a fair number of Soldiers.

"Logistics is a team effort. Use us to assist you!" stated O'Connell

Prior to their departure O'Connell met up with one of his battalion commanders, Lt. Col. Robert Brem, the commander of the Special Troops Battalion as he toured postal and finance operations at Rustamiyah.

• Date Taken: 02.08.2008
• Date Posted: 02.08.2008 17:20
• Story ID: 16174
• Location: RUSTAMIYAH, IQ