Photo By Sgt. Nevada Jack Smith | Soldiers with the 515th Transportation Company Forward Logistics Element convoy with...... read more read more
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TARIN KOT, Afghanistan – There is a quote often attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte that goes, “An Army marches on its stomach.” In our more modern times soldiers travel in mine resistant armored personnel carriers and UH-60 Black Hawks, but the saying still has merit. Without proper supplies it is impossible to field an Army.
That’s what makes soldiers like the members of the 515th Transportation Company Forward Logistic Element so important, by playing a critical role in maintaining the resources of soldiers operating in the Uruzgan Province of Afghanistan.
A Forward Logistical Element (FLE) is a logistical concept for the modern modular Army and allows companies the ability to dedicate a platoon sized element to contribute logistical assets to organizations that lack supply or transportation resources.
“Transportation resupply missions are the backbone of all military activity. Few requirements rank higher in wartime than the need to maintain reliable supply lines and our transporters take pride in facilitating this necessity,” said 1st. Lt. Nathaniel Dumas, the officer in charge of 515th Transportation Company FLE stationed at Multi National Base Tarin Kot (MNBTK).
The 515th soldiers here are instrumental in providing fast logistical and maintenance support within the Uruzgan province through a variety of operations.
Conducting resupply convoy operations with Australian counterparts, maintaining forklift equipment for the MNBTK flight line, and providing transportation assets for the MNBTK Ammo Supply Point are just a few of the roles of the FLE soldiers.
“We also conduct Australian connex movements within the MNBTK battlespace and coordinate upload/download operations of weekly supplies arriving from KAF convoys,” Dumas said.
Transportation soldiers provide a critical service to fellow service members, that can sometimes go overlooked.
“Soldiers don’t always know what they have and can take it for granted,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Toyco, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the FLE here. “Most people don’t think about how things get here and there are a lot of operations people don’t realize are going on until they don’t have something they need.”
By now it’s a well established fact that Afghanistan is a dangerous place. Traveling can become a life or death situation and moving supplies presents its own risks.
“People don’t think what’s at stake and the dangers involved for the soldiers who delivered something as simple as a container of water,” said Toyco, originally from Abilene Texas.
The 515th soldiers stationed at MNBTK have accomplished many great things during the course of their deployment.
“Just within the past two months of our operation within the TK community our FLE has moved over 300 connexes, conducted over 30 transportation convoy missions throughout Uruzgan District, and moved the ammo supply point,” Dumas said.
The intangible rewards of assisting fellow soldiers aren’t lost on the members of the FLE here.
“I Love my job is all I can say,” said Toyco. “I love being here and being able to support so many people and make a big impact on soldiers’ lives.”
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.31.2012 04:50 |
| Story ID: | 94084 |
| Location: | TARIN KOWT, AF |
| Web Views: | 645 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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