Mayor’s Cell keeps base operational

Photo By 1st Sgt. Justin A. Naylor | Spc. Eric Custer, right, a Westcliffe, Colo., native and a combat engineer with 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, "Black Jack," 1st Cavalry Division, U.S. Division-North, and Pfc. Juan Patrick, a Dallas native and communication specialist with 2nd AAB, work together to fix an air conditioning unit on Contingency Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq, June 21. Both soldiers work in the COB Warhorse Mayor's Cell, which is responsible for numerous base functions including facilitating living accommodations for visitors, acting as intermediaries between units and contracting agencies, coordinating work for local national employees, and filling out work requests for soldiers and units.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, IRAQ

06.20.2011

Story by Spc. Justin A. Naylor 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq – Keeping a base running smoothly in a deployed environment presents a variety of challenges.

From having water delivered to troop living quarters to coordinating contractors to fix air conditioners in offices throughout the base, there are numerous jobs big and small conducted regularly to ensure units on base remain operational.

Filling this role on Contingency Operating Base Warhorse is the Mayor’s Cell, comprised of nearly a dozen soldiers from 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, “Black Jack,” 1st Cavalry Division, U.S. Division-North, deployed in support of Operation New Dawn.

The Mayor’s Cell is responsible for numerous base functions including facilitating living accommodations for visitors, acting as intermediaries between units and contracting agencies, coordinating work for local national employees, and filling out work requests for soldiers and units, said Staff Sgt. Sherrod Nevels, an automated logistical specialist who currently fills the role of Mayor’s Cell non-commissioned officer in charge.

The Mayor’s Cell is also responsible for 65 to 70 local national workers who work on the base every day, explained Nevels, a Tampa, Fla., native.

Local nationals help keep the base clean, pick up excess scrap metal and wood, and also help clear out and shut down unused buildings and tents, he added.

“This cuts the manpower requirements for the units by hiring local nationals who can do a lot of the work,” said Nevels.

The Mayor’s Cell also helps fill out and facilitate the completion of nearly 200 work orders per week.

Between 70 and 90 people walk through the Mayor’s Cell doors every day in need of help, whether it is filling out a work order to have a light bulb fixed outside their room, or requesting pallets of water to be dropped off at an office.

There is always something, said Sgt. Jennifer Peterson, a Miami native and communication specialist with 2nd AAB.

“It’s a very high operational tempo,” she said.

For Peterson, one of the biggest surprises of working at the Mayor’s Cell is seeing how well her soldiers, nearly all of whom come from differing career fields and military backgrounds, work together to ensure the base remains operational.

“They’ve done wonderfully,” said Peterson.

“There is never a dull moment,” said Pfc. Juan Patrick, a Dallas native and communication specialist with 2nd AAB.

Patrick, currently on his second deployment, works daily as an escort for local national workers.

Patrick said this position helps him experience an unfamiliar people and culture.

“This is my first time working with local nationals,” he said. “This isn’t something every communication soldier gets to experience. I have a lot of fun,” Patrick explained.

Whether the job is large or small, soldiers of 2nd AAB rely on the Mayor’s Cell daily to get any number of tasks done, which helps keep soldiers at COB Warhorse mission-ready.

• Date Taken: 06.20.2011
• Date Posted: 06.26.2011 17:35
• Story ID: 72785
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, IQ