Quartermasters deliver at Camp Al Asad

Photo By Sgt. Jason Mikeworth | Spc. James Dillingham, a crane operator from the 551st Cargo Transfer Company Detachment assigned to the 62nd Quartermaster Company, lifts a disabled trailer at the Joint Distribution Center at Camp Al Asad.  

12.01.2005

Courtesy Story

207th Public Affairs Detachment

Sgt. Jason Mikeworth
207th MPAD


Moving material and supplies across a theater as large as Iraq is no simple task, but the Soldiers of the 62nd Quartermaster Company are making it look easy.

The 62nd has created a new joint distribution center, or JDC, at Camp Al Asad to support ongoing operations across western Iraq.

"Basically the things we're responsible for are pushing out Class I, unit supplies, unit installation equipment and receiving the same equipment to and from different locations throughout Multi-National Coalition Forces West locations," said Staff Sgt. Jason Tellez, NCOIC of the JDC. "What we do is we break it down into different classes, like Class I, or Class IX or Class X."

The mission usually begins with the arrival of equipment and supplies from various combat logistics patrols at Camp Al Asad. After processing the new cargo, the 62nd then has to figure out exactly who is supposed to get the items.

"We get stuff that we really don't know who it belongs to, so we do the research and get it to its location," Tellez said.

Getting the cargo to its required destination takes careful planning.

"We receive inbound convoys and download all their cargo, then separate it by the base it's going to," Tellez said. "Once it gets to its location, that freedom fighter on the other end can break it down for however he needs it to accomplish the mission, whether it's parts, water or rations."

This JDC is a newly designed operation in theater designed to expand on normal central shipping and receiving points that are run by civilians as well as augment central distribution centers (CDC).

"Most other areas have a CDC, which is basically a trailer transfer point," Tellez said. "Here, we can either be a trailer transfer point or shipping and receiving point."

The JDC at Al Asad was built from the ground up, designed to be adaptable to whatever the mission will be, Tellez said.

"It's a new concept we had to learn. It's not in a manual. We researched it. We go to other places and see how they're doing things. It's endless. We can keep adding to it. You could add a sling-load if you wanted to," Tellez said. "There were some growing pains, mostly just establishing our flow. Even though everything is still unpredictable we can still have some sort of a schedule."

The adaptability is useful to accommodate other portions of the mission, Tellez said.

"We also do mail runs. We provide units with mail containers and ship mail to them. We also package humanitarian stuff for the Iraqi forces and for local Civil Affairs projects in the community," Tellez said. "We understand it's a priority to get these guys the things that they need to accomplish the mission."

Starting the JDC involved more than locating space for containers. Capt. Raphael Heflin, commander of the 62nd, said the unit had to move its base of operations from Camp Al Taqqadum to Camp Al Asad. Then they began pulling in all of the pieces that now make up the JDC.

"We took over the bulk fuel farm operation from the Marines at Al Asad," Heflin said. "We established the JDC, and took our Class I and multi-class operations and put them in one central location here at Al Asad so we could function as a hub and supply all the customers in the West."Heflin said he is very impressed with the things the 62nd has accomplished during their tour in Iraq.

"The Soldiers have worked really hard to get to where we are at now. The commanding general's intent was to create a hub for the West. We're there now. What was someone's dream is now a reality down on the ground," Heflin said. "Just about everyone in the West, especially the Army, is supported through JDC. In most cases, the Marines and Air Force are also supported. It's why it's a joint center."

Heflin also commented on the flexibility his Soldiers have shown to complete every mission that has come their way.

"There were a lot of mission changes. We've had convoy missions that we've done, we've had wrecker recovery missions that we've done. A number of our missions changed throughout the deployment," Heflin said. "I think it really took leaders talking to Soldiers to explain the big picture of what's happening out there, and helping them understand the importance of their role in supporting the Soldiers and Marines down-range fighting the battle. I think it really gave a sense of ownership to the Soldiers and kept them motivated."

Tellez said that sense of ownership helped make the mission better for him.

"The best part about this job is you get a good feeling providing support to the Soldiers that need it, that are out there putting their lives at risk," Tellez said. "It makes it worth it when you see the impact to the Soldiers on the ground. It makes you realize how important that supply chain is."

As the 62nd prepares to head home, Heflin reflected on the positive and negative aspects of turning over the JDC they created.

"It's bittersweet. We've been here for a year. We want to get back to our families and spend time with our loved ones, but it's bitter to hand it over because we've put our heart and soul into this mission, but I know the next group is going to take it, improve upon it, and make it better," Heflin said.

• Date Taken: 12.01.2005
• Date Posted: 12.01.2005 05:48
• Story ID: 3912