Behind the Scenes of Task Force Illini: Life Support and Logistics

Photo By Maj. William Grove | Sgt. Braden Highcock, a Petroleum Supply Specialist from Decatur, Illinois, checks the equipment on his fuel truck at Combat Training Center-Yavoriv. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Dutch Grove)  

LVIV, UKRAINE

03.15.2021

Story by Cpl. Shaylin Quaid 

33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team

LVIV, Ukraine – Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) of Task Force Illini, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard, are integral to the life support operations that sustain the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission at Combat Training Center-Yavoriv, Ukraine.
“HHC consists of six sections- supply, logistics, medical, engineers, the post exchange, and the mess section. Each section works together to maintain the life support functions of the Task Force,” said 1st Sgt. Joseph Seiders, HHC First Sergeant of Farmer City, Illinois.
The supply section is responsible for the storage, tracking, and distribution of items the Task Force needs to complete its mission.
“Under the guidance and direction of my supply sergeant, I maintain the inventory and upkeep of four shipping containers, two vaults and one supply cage. We order supplies and process paperwork with each item as we receive them,” said Sgt. Dayna Brown, Supply Specialist of Decatur, Illinois, “The supply section also fills supply requests of individual Soldiers.”
The logistics section is divided into three subsections- ammo, fuel, and forklift operations.
“Ammo handlers are responsible for the containment and security of our ammunition. Our mission in Ukraine would not be possible if we couldn’t distribute ammo for training,” said Cpl. Ethan Neville, Ammunition Specialist of Sullivan, Illinois.
Nearing the end of the deployment, the ammo section has distributed more than 16,000 rounds of ammunition and 300 explosives to U.S. and Ukrainian personnel for training purposes.
“We are primarily responsible for supervising and managing all fuel bladders, fuel containers, and internal fuel tanks of the generators that power the buildings around post,” said Sgt. Corderist Brantley, Petroleum Supply Specialist, of Chicago.
So far, the fuel section has pumped more than 248,000 liters at the vehicle fueling point and delivered more than 72,000 gallons of fuel via truck to tanks and generators around post.
“Forklift operators assist and monitor the delivery of supplies, such as water and food, to the Task Force,” said Cpl. Jacob Bergin, Motor Transport Operator of Mattoon, Illinois.
The forklift section has delivered more than 1,300 pallets of various necessities including food, water, Post Exchange shipments, and miscellaneous items.
The medical section is responsible for the health of the Task Force. They see Soldiers for medical concerns, and transport Soldiers to next-level medical care appointments and dental visits.
“Medics help maintain the overall welfare and physical readiness of the Task Force, and we play a huge role in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 among the unit,” said Sgt. Caitlyn Bryant, Emergency Care Sergeant of Wheaton, Illinois.
The engineer section is responsible for the upkeep and repair of various items around post through work orders submitted by Soldiers.
“As engineers, it is our responsibility to consistently improve the working environment, whether that is fixing a wobbly desk or building an item to fit someone’s needs,” said Sgt. Cody Gaboriault, Weapons Repairer of Creve Coeur, Illinois.
The Post Exchange section is responsible for running a store on post that carries Soldier necessities, such as hygiene products and uniform items, as well as morale-boosting items like American potato chips, drinks, and candy bars.
“Post Exchange operators are responsible for opening the store, preparing the register and cash kiosk, making sure the shelves are stocked, and keeping track of the inflow and outflow of cash,” said Spc. Luis Perez, Unit Supply Specialist of Chicago, “The Post Exchange is a huge moral boost for the Task Force. Soldiers visit us for their daily needs, from grabbing an energy drink to get through a long meeting or grabbing a candy bar to get a taste of home.”

The mess section is responsible for overseeing Ukrainian cooks at the dining facility to coordinate the proper preparation and quantity of food for military and linguist personnel, as well as the cleanliness of the facility.
“Not only do the cooks oversee the dining facility, but we also maintain a running inventory. We order available food rations and water for Soldiers and linguists, and keep rations and water stocked in the hostels on base. We also cook food for American holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Sgt. Gussie Williams, Food Service Specialist of Kankakee, Illinois.
“Overall, HHC operations are integral to the life support and logistics of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission,” said Seiders.
Task Force Illini is the command element of Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, which is responsible for training, advising, and mentoring the Ukrainian cadre at Combat Training Center-Yavoriv, Ukraine in order to improve Armed Forces Ukraine’s training capacity and defense capabilities.

• Date Taken: 03.15.2021
• Date Posted: 03.15.2021 13:02
• Story ID: 391403
• Location: LVIV, UA