Photo By Regina Barnes | LTC Brad Smith during his promotion ceremony... read more read more
The U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF) has maintained a presence in each of the major theater of operations starting as early as 2003. It began with Iraq and Afghanistan, later expanding to Kuwait and Erbil. But what does the deployed REF team do? How does it differ from the REF Outreach, Logistics, and Solution teams operating out of the headquarters location in Fort Belvoir, Virginia?
Meet LTC Bradley Smith who has been on both sides of the operating line – recently returning to REF HQ after serving as the Officer in Charge in REF-Kuwait. As he explained it, the deployed team assists units with their rapid equipping needs. This could be anything from informing units of the REF’s capabilities, providing 10-Liner support, helping units identify their tactical challenge, and assessing whether a provided REF product is working for a unit. The deployed REF team also serve as a liaison – taking what they learn from their engagements with units and communicating it back to the REF teams at HQ so they can do their part in the rapid equipping process. This set up allows the mission and core functions of assess, insert, equip, and inform to come full circle.
“The main difference is that you are the face of the REF when forward,” stated LTC Smith. “You are one-on-one with a Soldier or unit on the ground and interact with them directly as opposed to being on the phone from another continent. But at the end of the day, we are all here to support the Soldier.”
Often times, the deployed REF team facilitates information sharing across various commands that have common needs. “Sometimes we’re not solving a problem, we’re connecting people and missions to help one another,” he said.
“Because we are involved in so many facets when it comes to rapid acquisitions and identifying technology solutions, we’re always analyzing and connecting disparate information, ultimately linking capabilities to requirements that may not have been in the REF’s defined equipping decision.” Sometimes these are satisfied by Army Programs of Records or Operational Needs Statements.”
Being the liaison and coordinating capabilities between other units is part of the REF’s inform function, but it is performing it at the operational and tactical level, not the strategic level.
There is another aspect in being the face of REF, liaison, and facilitator. Receiving valuable feedback on equipment in time is always ideal, so is getting units to accurately describe their tactical problems they are experiencing in the field. It’s always best to understand the problem first. If not, the acquired solution may not be the best fit for the problem and that capability gap is still there. Communication is an essential element in accurately defining tactical problems. An accurate definition helps the REF Solution teams at HQ find the best solution or product for that unit.
A unit’s needs and challenges depend on their location, which is also why the REF is positioned in multiple theaters. Whether it was providing force protection capabilities or informing solutions to win the counter UAS fight, LTC Smith played a key role in ensuring the right capability was delivered when needed.
“Just as we are looking at the most cutting-edge technology, so are our adversaries. The environment is constantly evolving and this is something we have to deal with and stay ahead of the bad guys,” he said.
Being agile and flexible – or in other words, rapid – is what the REF excels at. “We are good at identifying what is already developed and getting it quickly into the hands of the warfighter.” As one example, the REF received a request from a unit that required power generation with minimal logistical tail for a key piece of equipment, and the REF sourced an operational energy solution.
“The REF is a whole force asset, meaning it can be an asset to any unit in a Title X status – Regular Army, National Guard, or Army Reserve, CONUS and deployed – that is experiencing a tactical problem that can be solved by an equipping solution. And it is not a hidden secret for the SOF guys,” he said.
Like any other unit, the REF-Kuwait team rotates in and out every so often. But that doesn’t harm eithers mission. Our relationship stays with those who have their mission. “We maintain close communication with the warfighter through the folks forward,” says LTC Smith.
About the REF
The REF provides innovative materiel solutions to meet the urgent requirements of U.S. Army forces employed globally, informs materiel development for the future force, and (on order) expands to meet operational demands. The REF supports priority equipping efforts over a wide range of challenges such as subterranean operations, electronic warfare, unmanned and counter unmanned aerial systems, intelligence, and expeditionary force protection.
About LTC Bradley Smith
LTC Smith is on loan to the REF from his assignment at the Defense Logistics Agency J9 Army Reserve Element where he serves as an operations officer for the Commanding Officer in Charge. On the civilian side, LTC Smith works as a licensed Union pipefitter who has worked on historical projects such as the Amazon Spheres building in Seattle as well as the construction of the Boeing 777x Wing Composite facility in Everett, Washington.
| Date Taken: | 02.18.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 02.19.2020 08:03 |
| Story ID: | 363322 |
| Location: | FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 333 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A Forward Perspective: REF-Kuwait Works Directly with Soldiers Downrange, by Regina Barnes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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