Courtesy Photo | VIRIN 20060207-A-3232O-11 Sgt. Orlando Parker, Spc. James Sword and Sgt. Gary...... read more read more
Operating and supporting Logistical Support Area Anaconda's Multi-Class Forward Redistribution Point has become the primary mission for the dedicated Soldiers of the Kentucky based, 400th Quartermaster Company. While the 400th QM Company does the majority of the heavy lifting at the FRP, the operation is truly a joint effort of companies assigned to Logistics Task Force 548.
The 21st Cargo Transport Company operates material handling equipment and the 322nd Maintenance Company assists with shipping, receiving and storage. Kellogg, Brown and Root is an additional partner in the operation. The FRP is a collaborative effort that runs 24/7 to distribute needed supplies throughout the theater.
Strategically located on LSA Anaconda, the FRP receives serviceable excess equipment from northern and central Iraq supply support activities and forward operating bases. When a unit drops a requisition, a computer system automatically checks to see if an order may be filled locally before searching other supply outlets. The FRP reduces customer's wait time for parts from Kuwait or the continental United States. This allows the unit requesting the parts to get the part in a timely manner to continue with its mission.
2nd Lt. Theodore Mataxis, 400th QM Company, took over as the Accountable Officer at the FRP in October.
"Our operation has improved drastically within the last few months," Mataxis said. "We're working well together and we've increased how much we push out each day. We've reduced our shipment wait time from 72 to 24 hours and we are sending more supplies by air than what was done before we got here."
The FRP operation is divided into four different sections: receiving, storage, shipping and quality control. They also have four specialty teams: the connex, frustrated cargo, location survey teams and stock control. The connex team receives and processes the incoming containers. The frustrated cargo team handles mis-ships and items without a stock number. Stock control and location survey teams work to ensure items are accounted for and properly placed. All teams have a great responsibility ensuring mission success, explained Mataxis.
Processing supplies is not the only operation occurring on the yard. Since the 400th QM Company took over the mission, the FRP work site has undergone numerous site improvements in an effort to upgrade working conditions. Connex walls have recently been added to the FRP site.
"We all think it's a good idea having the connexes up here on the front line. It gives everyone a little bit more security," said Staff Sgt. Jamie Stewart from the 400th QM Company. Numerous bunkers have been added throughout the site to increase force protection.
"One improvement that we've made was to the petroleum section. Initially we had many Class III packaged items that weren't properly accounted for or marked. We've turned the Class III area around. We now have accountability of on-hand quantities and the petroleum is properly stored," said Staff Sgt. Dean Goodwin, also from the 400th.
The shipping area has been completely transformed by Sgt. James Pape. Formerly an open area with a net covering to provide some shade, the area has now been moved under a large maintenance tent, said Goodwin.
Gravel is being spread throughout the site to combat excessive amounts of mud during the rainy season. Platforms have been built in work and yard areas to elevate Soldiers and equipment off the ground. Warming areas are also now provided. The end result is a more organized work area that provides Soldiers and civilians with better security and protection from the winter cold and summer heat, explained the company commander, Capt. Carl L. Dillard.
He is very proud of what his unit has accomplished.
"Since the transfer of authority back in October, we have embraced our mission here at the forward redistribution point," Dillard said. "We are moving forward and setting the standards for the FRP. My FRP team has developed a theater-wide standard in receiving and shipping material to the FRP and to our customers. Our goal is to push as much material to our customer by air in the shortest time possible. Our command teams are all from different backgrounds"Army Reserve, National Guard, Active Duty and civilian"working as one team to accomplish the mission."
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| Date Taken: | 02.10.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 02.10.2006 07:46 |
| Story ID: | 5359 |
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| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 18 |
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