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16th CSG delivers in southern Iraq

Photo By Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda | Spc. Maury Cesair, a multi-media illustrator with the 16th Corps Support Group, draws...... read more read more

12.22.2005

Courtesy Story

207th Public Affairs Detachment

The 16th Corps Support Group has taken over logistical support operations in southern Iraq, conducting a diverse number of missions within its first two months on the ground.

"Our mission is to provide logistics support to all Coalition Forces in our sector," said Col. Victor McCagnan, the 16th's commander. "That includes transportation, ammunition, water, fuel and maintenance. We also escort convoys and provide security."

The 16th's area of operation extends from the Kuwaiti border to Logistical Support Area Anaconda near Balad, about 40 miles north of Baghdad. Virtually every member of the Coalition has troops in this region, with Britain, Italy, Poland and El Salvador providing security operations for sizeable areas within the mostly Shiite south.

Other countries with troops in the area include Latvia, Lithuania, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Mongolia, Australia, and Japan. The 16th works closely with each country. The unit even shares its headquarters base, Camp Adder, with the Italian contingent. The fact that the unit resides in Germany, McCagnan said, gives the unit an advantage in working with the international forces.

"When you are stationed in Germany you develop the necessary skills to partner with America's allies," McCagnan said. "We are exposed to the opportunities to partner with many other nations and that absolutely gives us an advantage."

The 16th conducts routine exercises with foreign troops, said the 16th's Command Sgt. Maj. Ricky Driskell. He said that the unit conducts exercises with Polish troops and that many of the Soldiers have been to Italy.

While providing logistical support, the unit has accomplished an impressive number of missions so far. The 16th has transported over 10 million gallons of fuel, including JP 8, MOGAS, and DF2 gas. Additionally, the unit does three to four combat logistics patrols weekly, carrying food and water throughout its area of operation. As of early December, units under the 16th have traveled over 320,000 miles.

In addition to conducting logistical support, the 16th also provides base command for Camp Adder, Camp Cedar II, and Camp Scania, the three largest Coalition logistical centers in the south.

The command consists of approximately 40 units and about 3,000 Soldiers.

Perhaps one of the command's most significant missions is mentoring the Iraqi army's 2nd Motorized Transportation Regiment.

"They are doing very well and they are up and running," McCagnan said of the 2nd MTR. "They've performed as well as some of my superior units in some areas. They are a model of how well this partnership can work."

Moreover, the unit has an active civil affairs mission, seeking out Iraqi citizens within the area of operations and developing a network of projects designed to rebuild the nation and foster lasting relationships. These projects include sponsoring two local clinics from which 4,000 to 5,000 people will benefit, adopting a local school and building a nine-kilometer road.

"Collectively, we have a very good relationship with the locals," said Maj. Brian Burchette, the unit's operations officer. "They've been helpful and for the most part they are pro-Coalition."

As of early December, the unit had not had any combat-related deaths or serious injuries, a credit to the 16th's good relationship with the local population and to the experience that the unit's troops have from previous deployments to Iraq. For many Soldiers, this is their second or third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

One of the most important ingredients for the unit's success is the support they have had from their families even while being apart for such prolonged periods, McCagnan said.

"They are constantly in our thoughts and they provide us with a sense of strength and purpose to complete the mission down here," McCagnan said. "On behalf of the whole 16th CSG, we want to wish all the families of the deployed Soldiers all the very best. We hope that you have a safe and prosperous holiday season, and we hope to see you soon."