Courtesy Photo | Master Sgt. David L. Rosser, 3rd Infantry Division Liaison Office noncommissioned...... read more read more
Story, photo by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp
MNC " I PAO
November 7, 2005
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait " When a unit deploys, it takes with it literally tons of equipment. These items include radios, medical bags, weapons, vehicles and more.
Not all of that equipment goes straight to the battlefield. Some equipment stays behind for later use as supplies on the field dwindle. If that happens, or when items or help is needed logistically, it's up to behind-the-scenes troops to make sure their unit's Soldiers are outfitted with anything they need to stay in the fight.
For the Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga., their helping hand comes from troops with the 3rd Inf. Div. Liaison's Office in Kuwait, a 15-person team on three camps designed to keep the "Rock of the Marne" troops in Iraq rolling.
"Our mission is to supply and assist anyone that deals with the 3rd Inf. Div. in Iraq, including units that fall under them for the deployment," said Maj. Jim Nelson, 3rd Inf. Div. LNO officer-in-charge, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. "We handle administration, medical, maintenance, supply and logistics for the Soldiers as well as deal with deployment and redeployment concerns."
Logisticians by trade, the LNO team is runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is capable of getting people out with the supplies they need to get them in, and keep them in the fight, said Master Sgt. David L. Rosser, 3rd Inf. Div. LNO noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Camp Arifjan.
"We have troops spread out through the different camps in Kuwait to assist getting troops to the battlefield," Nelson said. "Whether it's training concerns or getting them items they need before they ship out, we are there."
Troops who deploy through Kuwait spend 15 days there, going through a three- step process before moving to the battlefield: reception, staging and movement.
The LNO team assists in all facets, especially getting their Soldiers hard to get or find items before heading to Iraq. Some of those items include body armor, ballistic eyewear and radio equipment. If the soldiers who are already in Iraq don't have these items, the LNO team will ship it to them on the first convoy out.
"We get requests for sizes that Soldiers didn't get on initial issue back in the states," Rosser said. "That's either because the sizes weren't available at the time or a troop got issued the wrong size. This happens a lot with the (Interceptor Ballistic Armor). We'll just get the right size, put it on a convoy and send it up north."
Transporting the goods is a job in itself. The LNOs work with both the U.S. Navy and Air Force to get their troops and equipment into and out of Kuwait.
"We do a lot of work with the Navy because they handle the customs going into and out of the country," Nelson said.
Difficulties do arise for the Soldiers working in Kuwait. Communication can be a challenge with the parent and sister units in Iraq, Nelson said.
"Communication up north can be difficult," Nelson said. "If a (Forward Operating Base) has been hit, they might shut down the phone lines, making coordination for us difficult, but the best line of communication for us is through e-mail."
Difficult or not, the LNOs have never failed a mission.
"There is a certain amount of pride we take in knowing we are here for our fellow Soldiers, and we have never failed them in our mission," Nelson said. "We have always gotten what they needed. I've asked 100 percent of our team, and everybody has come through."
The team " along with the rest of the 3rd Inf. Div. " is on the last leg of their tour here, but motivation, drive and morale are still going strong, Nelson said.
The unit recently had two promotions and a re-enlistment, and the LNOs are stepping up operations as the rest of their fellow Soldiers begin to head back from Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2005 17:52 |
| Story ID: | 3801 |
| Location: | ARJIFAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 242 |
| Downloads: | 74 |
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