Support Company secures Provincial Reconstruction Team in Vanguard Area of Operations

Courtesy Photo | A member of the 69th Forward Supply Company poses with a member of the Iraqi security forces while on a mission.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

09.20.2008

Story by Capt. Constance Quinlan 

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Capt. Constance Quinlan
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Provincial Reconstruction Teams throughout Iraq are comprised of Department of State civilians who work with local leaders and the Personal Security Detachments who protect them.

"We're like the Secret Service," said Capt. David Moreno, officer-in-charge of the 69th Forward Support Company's operations in Karbala. "We clear rooms; escort them on the ground; secure buildings during their meetings. We protect all the Department of State civilians throughout Karbala."

The Soldiers of the 69th FSC usually provide logistic support to the maneuver battalions of the 75th Fires Brigade. Last January the brigade prepared to deploy to Africa, but the 69th FSC left for Tallil, where its Soldiers would forego their logistics expertise to secure the many civilian convoys traveling through Iraq.

"Those were long missions," recalled Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Smith. "The Soldiers would drive to [bases] ... they were two to three-day missions."

The "Grizzly" Soldiers spent their first four months in Iraq escorting those convoys of 20 to 45 vehicles until Multi-National Division – Center made plans to expand PRTs in the area.

The PRTs for Karbala and Najaf operated out of the regional embassy office in al Hillah. Considered two of Islam's holiest cities, the provinces were considered too volatile for embedded teams. The opening of Forward Operating Bases Husayniyah and Endeavor in May enabled the PRTs to reach those areas and begin aggressive reconstructive operations.

The 69th FSC was reassigned to the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, based at FOB Kalsu, to support these missions.

"They proved to be a very adaptable unit and a band of professionals," said Lt. Col. John Chadbourne, commander of 703rd BSB. "They did an outstanding job with a very important mission. I couldn't be prouder of the work they did."

The 69th FSC split into three detachments; two went to Karbala and Najaf, where each assumed the role and responsibilities of FOB mayor in addition to providing security for the local PRT. The third detachment functions as the PSD for pre-existing FOB Echo in Multi-National Division – Central South.

"It's really hard for a company-size element to split into three locations," said Smith, who would work alongside Moreno to control operations out of Husayniyah. "We had about two weeks to plan."

The challenges of dividing a unit and adopting a new mission aside, the 69th FSC understood how important their positions were.

"They watch Gen. Petraeus on TV when he mentions Karbala and Najaf while he's addressing Congress. They know this is an important mission, and that they're doing a big part," said Smith.

Sgt. Gennadiy Vavrenyuk, a Soldier on the PSD in Karbala, runs the FOB aid station when he's not on the road as a medic and PRT escort. Vavrenyuk was the truck commander for the pace truck when the unit worked in Tallil. Now, he said he enjoys the change of pace.

"We get up close and personal with the Iraqi people," he said. "We drive down to the governance center in Karbala and go to all the other developmental sites."

Vavrenyuk, a native of Cologne, Minn., and affectionately called "Doc V," grew up in Belarus before moving to the U.S. at the age of 10 and is the senior medic for both the FOB and the PSD.

"He always wants to be out there to help the guys and be part of the team," said Smith. "He takes a lot of pride in it."

Pride, it seems, is a sentiment all those working with the 69th FSC can see.

"The 69th FSC is the lifeblood of the FOB," said Col. Keith Sharples, Ind. native and deputy team leader of the Karbala PRT. Sharples works hand in hand with the Department of State.

"We couldn't do our work without them," Sharples said. "Their mission is to keep me and my PRT team alive. As a leader, knowing there are such great Soldiers out there watching over me frees me to concentrate on my job. They are an amazing group of guys."

• Date Taken: 09.20.2008
• Date Posted: 09.20.2008 05:21
• Story ID: 23910
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ