Photo By Sgt. Barbara Ospina | Private First Class Antwan Campbell, a Soldier with the 506th Quartermaster Detachment...... read more read more
By Spc. Barbara Ospina
1st BCT Public Affairs
Doing laundry may not seem like a major task to most people, but when more than 1,000 Soldiers need their laundry done, the pile can stack up quickly for the 506th Quartermaster Soldiers on remote Forward Operating Base (FOB) McHenry.
The seven Soldiers that make up the laundry and bath detachment, from Fort Lee Va., work daily in support of the Bastogne Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment.
The Soldiers operate and maintain a two-drum laundry machine. Two drums may sound somewhat undersized for a laundry service, but the huge green machine takes up the space about the size of an average room. The quartermaster Soldiers make good use of the machine, washing anywhere from 90 to 115 individual bags of laundry a day. They have a one day turnaround, so dirty clothes piling up are not an issue.
Although each unit has designated days to turn in their laundry, the quartermaster Soldiers do their best to accommodate the Soldiers whenever possible.
"They have other problems outside the wire they have to deal with," commented Sgt. David Boyce, the mechanic for the team. "So we do what we can for them."
Keeping uniforms looking good is not the only capability of this unit. They also clean Soldiers" blankets, sleeping bags, and rugs on select days.
In a combat environment a clean uniform may not be high on the priority list, but a serviceable one is. Throughout the first six months of deployment many uniforms are showing wear and tear. Whether it's a hole, a rip, or Velcro that needs repair, the quartermaster Soldiers take the time to sew the Army Combat Uniforms.
Quartermaster Soldiers do not man .50 caliber machine guns or kick down doors, but they do their part in support of the fight.
"We are a support MOS (Military Occupation Specialty)," stated Sgt. Khari Simpson. "That's what we do."
| Date Taken: | 05.02.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 05.02.2006 10:47 |
| Story ID: | 6225 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 29 |
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