Small reserve unit with huge mission returns home safely

Photo By Sgt. Kathleen Briere | U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mike Crader, the director of public works commander, 326th Areal Support Group, Multi-National Corps - Iraq, Camp Victory, hands out soccer balls, clothes, personal hygiene and other items out to Iraqi children at Airport village, Victory Base Complex, Iraq. The items were donated by people from the states, many of whom initially wanted to send care packages to Crader. "There were a lot of people who wanted to send me things," said Crader, "but what do I need," he asked rhetorically. "These kids need clothes and shoes."  

EDINBURGH, UNITED STATES

10.14.2009

Story by Sgt. Kathleen Briere 

Camp Atterbury Indiana

EDINBURGH, Ind. — The 326th Area Support Group, a small unit tasked with running the largest base in Iraq, returned to Camp Atterbury, Ind., from Baghdad, Iraq, early October after a one-year deployment.

Every Soldier of the 140-man, Kansas City, Kan., headquartered Army Reserve unit made it stateside after safely completing their mission of providing base operations and essentially running the entire Camp Victory in Baghdad, a population of around 65,000.

"We provided all the services of a small city: water, sewage, electricity, road construction, building construction, problem solving and billeting for all of the military and civilians that lived there," said 326th ASG Commander Col. Thomas Hardy, outgoing garrison commander of Camp Victory in Baghdad.

The 326th hit the sand running, providing these essentials and also streamlining the system, making it more energy efficient.

"One of our best accomplishments," said Hardy "was we pushed to install one big generator farm to supply power for the entire base rather than having every area of the camp with its own little generator. That saved the government over $7 million a month in fuel costs."

The unit worked with coalition forces, Iraqi army and police, Iraqi politicians and businessmen, American and other country national contractors as well as distinguished visitors and officials from several nations.

Hardy said the unit gave eight to 10 thousand tours of the base during their year-long mission.

Additionally, the unit was responsible for coordinating entertainers to the area of operations for morale and welfare events.

"We brought in a lot of supporters," said Master Sgt. Robert Heberling, morale and welfare sergeant-in-charge. "Kid Rock, Miss America, and Steven Baldwin to name a few. Another big one was Stephen Colbert and his 49 supporters, filmed four shows from the Al Faw Palace."

Heberling said morale was high for the 326th ASG throughout their tour and the unit cohesion was good.

"Everybody took down every task, did a great job and learned a lot. It was like a big family, sometimes a dysfunctional family like any unit can be, but still a family."

The unit will case its colors and hold final formation in Kansas City, Kan., this week, then return to their homes and families.

Heberling, like many, is looking forward to one thing.

"Relaxation," said Heberling. "It will be great to get out of the uniform for a while and ride a motorcycle."

• Date Taken: 10.14.2009
• Date Posted: 10.14.2009 15:32
• Story ID: 40124
• Location: EDINBURGH, US