Story by U.S. Army Pfc. Mark B. Matthews
(LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Balad Iraq) - The mark of a true Soldier is not measured solely on their ability to perform their military occupational specialty but their ability to adapt to any mission, any time, any where and under any circumstances.
The most important characteristic of one such Soldier is the warrior spirit and an understanding of what it means to put the mission first, never quit, never except defeat and never leave a fallen comrade behind.
Soldiers in the 211th Maintenance Company perform daily combat logistic patrol escorts from Logistics Support Area Anaconda to Forward Operating Base Speicher.
Mission first
The 211th Maint Co. is a direct support company. They are comprised of mechanics, refrigerator repairmen, sewing specialist, air conditioning repairmen and others. However, their mission is quite different than what they were primarily trained for.
"We had been gearing up for this mission for close to a year," said Staff Sgt. Shea McCracken, 211th Maint Co. "This isn't in our MOS's job description but we're doing it and we're doing it pretty well."
Never quit
Soldiers in the 211th Maint. Co. completed numerous missions to FOB Speicher and back to LSA Anaconda. Almost daily they wake up and carry out their mission much like the day prior without losing focus or attentiveness.
"Over the last four months we have escorted 5,200 third country national trucks to and from FOB Speicher, drove over 13,000 miles over and completed 85 missions," McCracken said.
Never accept defeat
With the threat Soldiers face in the operations in Iraq these Soldiers continue to carry out their mission despite the attacks and dangers that await them on their patrols. "We are approaching our fourth month in country and it has been very eventful to say the least," McCracken said. "We have been hit with five or six improvised explosive devices and numerous accounts of small arms fire, which we have dealt with accordingly."
Never leave a fallen comrade behind
Although the 211th Maint. Co. has not sustained any casualties or serious injuries their mission has in no way been a safe one and after the day is done they become closer than they were the day prior.
"We have a very tight-knit team," said McCracken. "We actually have a lot of fun doing this mission and the biggest thing that keeps us close is our sense of accomplishment at the end of each mission."
The Soldiers seem to have a great amount of confidence in their leadership's ability to perform under extreme conditions and the same is true of how the leadership feels about their Soldiers.
"I have one philosophy," said First Sgt. Terry Mullins, 211th Maint. Co. "Do it right, do it well, do it right the first time and that is exactly what these guys go out and do. I have 69 different MOS's in 29 career fields and all of these Soldiers have one basic skill in common -- the warrior skill."
"I love Soldiers," said McCracken. "We get hit with IED's, we get shot at, we work long hours, we are in hot trucks with no air conditioning and the only question these Soldiers have at the end of the day is what time do we leave tomorrow."
Editor's note: Pfc. Matthews is assigned to the 27th Public Affairs Detachment from Fort Drum, NY. He is currently deployed to Iraq in support of the 1st Corps Support Command at LSA Anaconda.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2005 10:12 |
| Story ID: | 2050 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 184 |
| Downloads: | 18 |
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