Field Service Company Sustains JSS Heider with Laundry Support

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Jamel Khabeer, SLCR team leader with 540th Quartermaster Company (Field Service), 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), operates the Laundry Advanced System at Joint Security Station Heider, Iraq.  

JOINT SECURITY STATION HEIDER, IRAQ

10.03.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Division Sustainment Brigade

Story by 1st Lt. Michael Shear

JOINT SECURITY STATION HEIDER, Iraq - Joint Security Station Heider, Iraq, is about as small and remote as a Forward Operating Base gets. With fewer than 200 soldiers, there are no permanent laundry facilities here.

That’s where a Shower, Laundry, and Clothing Repair team comes in.

The SLCR team, from 540th Quartermaster Company, 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), consists of five soldiers, who provide laundry support to the base using the Laundry Advanced System. The LADS is a self-powered, transportable laundry system consisting of two separate large drums, each drum capable of washing and drying 25 bags of clothes in the same cycle. The system is mounted on a flatbed trailer along with a generator, fuel pod and storage container.

Due to its remote location, laundry support is an essential service to the Soldiers who live and work at JSS Heider.

“Our mission spares soldiers from dealing with laundry, which allows them more time to focus on their missions and [military operational specialty]-related operations,” said Staff Sgt. Jamel Khabeer, SLCR team leader with the 540th QM Co., and a Virginia Beach, Va., native.

Capt. Tyonne Carter, commander of the 540th QM Co., and a Columbia, Md., native, explained the importance of the SLCR team providing a service that many people take for granted. “Soldiers are able to return from a convoy, drop off laundry and have clean clothes 24 hours later.”

While washing clothes may not be the most glamorous job, it is certainly imperative to the combat mission in northern Iraq.

“Our service boosts morale and contributes to the overall health and welfare of Soldiers,” said Carter. “Soldiers here at JSS Heider will certainly agree that pulling on a fresh pair of [the Army Combat Uniform] is a great start to a new day.”

Many of the comforts taken for granted at larger bases, such as fast food, movie theaters, post exchanges, and gyms are a distant memory for the team.

“Not being able to get to the PX to buy personal hygiene items is challenging,” said Spc. Latara Daniels, a LADS operator with the 540th QM Co., and a Syracuse, N.Y., native.

“We have to find ways to stretch out the supplies we have, and find new ways to get supplies transported here to JSS Heider,” Khabeer added.

Despite its challenges, the 540th Quartermaster Company SLCR team has found their mission to be very rewarding. In addition, because of its small size, the residents at JSS Heider have become a very close-knit group.

“Meeting new people is the best part of the job,” said Daniels.

• Date Taken: 10.03.2010
• Date Posted: 10.03.2010 09:38
• Story ID: 57424
• Location: JOINT SECURITY STATION HEIDER, IQ