Photo By Staff Sgt. Jaccob Hearn | ERBIL, Iraq (Dec. 19, 2017) – Contractors working with the Logistics Cell in Erbil,...... read more read more
The 1st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) is responsible for the sustainment operations throughout the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility. Sustainment is critical to all military operations as it provides supplies, contracts and support to operations throughout the region.
This also includes sustainment operations in support of counter-ISIS Coalition-assisted Syrian Democratic Forces, which is why many members of the 135th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), 1st TSC-Operational Command Post (OCP), have left Camp Arifjan for Iraq and now make up the Regional Logistics Cell. This LC forms the central HUB for controlling overall sustainment operations.
“Our mission is simple,” explained Col. Terry Grisham, commander of the LC, “we execute sustainment missions, providing supplies to sustain operation momentum to soldiers as well as facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria to help ease the pain and suffering of displaced civilians.”
The LC missions are vitally important explained Grisham. They are responsible for managing all types of supply. This also includes ensuring operational forces have what they need, at any time, to continue to maintain physical security. The LC not only helps support soldiers down range but also supports humanitarian aid. Working with local vendors, they ensure meals, winter clothes, personal hygiene items and other supplies make it to their destination.
“The LC team is comprised of key personnel from the 1st TSC-OCP,” said Grisham. “This team was hand-selected by the leadership, based on the capabilities of the individuals. It’s a unique mission and has been good for everyone and is something they can build on for the rest of their military careers.”
“A lot of us coming in didn’t know each other coming into this,” said Maj. Billi Taylor, support operations officer for the LC. “But with this smaller hand-selected group, everyone has a role. If one person doesn’t complete their mission it creates a domino effect.”
Taylor explained that teamwork is the key to success in an environment like this. With such a small team, everyone has come together and helped ensure all their work is completed on time. With a mission like this, failure is not an option.
“If we fail here, the soldiers down range don’t get their supplies,” said Taylor.
The LC isn’t alone in undertaking this task, said Grisham. The mission is a collaborative effort between two countries and many different entities.
“We’re building partnerships,” said Grisham. “We work very closely with the local populace and we’re all building trust and understanding.”
This mission is unique according to Taylor. It’s a contractor based environment because the Coalition’s partner forces in Syria don’t have all of their sustainment capabilities up yet. The LC works with the ministry, the local security forces, local vendors and local drivers. All these relationships have to work together as one in order for us to support counter-ISIS efforts in Syria.
“I feel honored to be here in this position and enabling the task force,” said Taylor. “We have a direct effect to those who are on the ground, and we can see it. It makes us realize that what we’re doing here is important.”
“It’s understated,” said Grisham, “but this an opportunity of a lifetime for me and my team. For many years to come the 1st TSC will reflect on the impact our hard work and dedication had on sustaining the fight against ISIS.”
| Date Taken: | 12.18.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2018 15:24 |
| Story ID: | 263002 |
| Location: | ERBIL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 302 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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