Ordnance company helping warfighters

Photo By Sgt. Jason Mikeworth | Spc. Mandi Holt, an ammunition specialist with the 529th Ordnance Company at Camp Al Taqqadum, uses a fork lift to transport pallets of ordnance at the ammunition supply point.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.16.2006

Courtesy Story

207th Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Jason Mikeworth

CAMP AL TAQQADUM, Iraq - Soldiers engage the enemy with a variety of weaponry, from the M1 Abrams main battle tank to the M-9 pistol. These weapons, and nearly everything in between, are useless without their ammunition.

Enter the 529th Ordnance Company, whose ammunition specialists receive, store and supply the lethal components of Army weapons to Soldiers at Camp Al Taqqadum.

"Our basic mission is to provide ammunition support to the units in our area," Taylor said Capt. Franyate Taylor, the 529th company commander. "We operate the ammunition supply point here with hundreds of short tons of ammunition."

Taylor added that the company is also providing transportation support.

"We have also been task reorganized to provide palletized loading system drivers to support the 146th Transportation Company to transport all classes of supply throughout the Anbar Province."

The commander said keeping her Soldiers busy initially was the biggest challenge the unit faced on arrival.

"We came [to Al Taqqadum] for a mission that only required about half of our personnel," Taylor said. "After re-tasking one of our platoons for the PLS [Palletized Load System] mission, I feel all of our Soldiers have a purpose here in Iraq."

Taylor said a third platoon conducts missions at Camp Taji.

"They run the division ammunition holding area there," said Taylor. "The unique thing about the 529th is that each platoon is identical, and they can operate independently of the company."

She added that because of the company structure, the 529th is ready to expand its role in the ammunition mission in Iraq.

"If at any time I had another ammunition mission, I still have another platoon I can flex to pull off that mission." Taylor said.

Sgt. Keshia Stoudemire, a stock control specialist, said an accurate inventory is an essential part of the company's mission.

"We do issues, turn-ins, receive shipments, and ship outbound ammo to help fight the war on terrorism," said Stoudemire. "We have to track and maintain accountability of all of the different ammo we issue to units."

Stoudemire said her favorite part of the job is the interaction with customer units.

"We get to meet different people from all over because we have so many units that draw ammo from us," Stoudemire said. "When they come they have all kinds of stories to tell."

The stock control specialist also said she feels the Soldiers of the 529th understand the importance of their work.

"We take pride in our work," said Stoudemire. "If we didn't give people ammo, how would they be able to fight the enemy?"

Sgt. Elisabeth Noble, an assistant section sergeant, said the unit enjoys strong cohesion because of the team sizes.

"We work with all types of ammunition," said Noble. "We're such a small team, half of us are on guard, the other half work here."

She added that the unit readily takes on additional jobs that may not be specific to their main function.

"Some of the fun stuff we get has nothing to do with the ammunition," said Noble. "Right now, we're setting up shelters for the trucks, so that's fun."

Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Dooley, the operations NCO and senior ammunition inspector, said ensuring the ammunition is safe to handle and use is one of his top priorities.

"I monitor safety and make sure the Soldiers have everything they need to accomplish their mission," said Dooley. "I also do periodic inspections of the ammunition to make sure it's serviceable." He said the leading causes of unserviceable ammunition are weather and sand.

"It wears it down, and can cause a problem with lot number identification," Dooley said. "We can tell 120 mm ammunition. It all looks the same, but when you try to identify a specific lot it can be scratched off."

Spc. Mike Weppler, an ammunition specialist, said the condition of the ammunition determines where it will be placed.

"Sometimes we have units that turn in unused ammo," Weppler said. "We separate it, and if it's sealed, we leave it alone. If it's not, then we check it for serviceability, band it up, and send it back to the pads."

He said the hardest part about his job is counting unsealed ammunition.

"Counting small arms ammo is tedious work, especially if a unit brings in 26,000 rounds," said Weppler. "The larger ammo isn't so bad, like mortars."

Weppler said his team tries to make their job as fun as possible.

"I'm like the entertainer of the group. I'll get up and start dancing or singing some songs," he laughed. "After a long day of work, I try to get people laughing."

The commander said she's proud of how hard her Soldiers have worked.

"They're doing an outstanding job, and they enjoy what they do, especially the ammunition specialists," said Taylor.

"They don't normally get to work in their field at home station as they do here in Iraq. I'm impressed with the growth of our Soldiers."

• Date Taken: 05.16.2006
• Date Posted: 05.16.2006 12:55
• Story ID: 6403
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ