Photo By Capt. Henry Chan | The 593rd Sustainment Brigade Commander Col. Douglas McBride shows the Under Secretary...... read more read more
PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III and Under Secretary of the Army Dr. Joseph W. Westphal visited the Bagram Air Field Retrosort Yard on the morning of Nov. 21.
The trip was a portion of a larger tour to express appreciation towards soldiers, families and Department of the Army Civilians working in support of NATO and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Forces Europe operations.
The BAF RSY operates along with two other retrograde sort yards in Afghanistan to re-circulate excess materiel and items that are accumulated from the decade of U.S. efforts to stabilize the region. Items that are sent to the yard are sorted into different categories, and either issued to locally deployed units, sent back to the Army supply system, or disposed of through the Defense Logistics Agency- Disposition Services.
The installation is under operational control of the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. Michelle Letcher, and the 593rd Sustainment Brigade, commanded by Col. Douglas McBride.
Soldiers, sailors, DA civilians and contractors greeted the general and under secretary with great anticipation. The group stepped out of the vehicles, exchanged some words and quickly commenced the visit.
Letcher began the visit with an overview of the retro-sort mission. According to Letcher, since taking over the facility, soldiers have increased production by 58 percent.
“We came into the retro-sort mission without relieving a [previously existing unit], we came into theater with a specific and brand new mission,” said McBride, “five plus months with the retro-sort mission, we have joint-service operations, (Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve) components. We are the pioneers, we are the first. We forge ahead, and the nation can be rest assured.”
Battalion Executive Officer, Maj. Rosendo Pagan and RSY manager, Sgt. 1st Class Edward Dowd also briefed the group on procedures of the yard operations and the “free issue” program. This program encourages units local to the Bagram vicinity to take part in the retro-sort process and comb the main processing area for useful items. These items are then signed over to the units, completely free of charge to their supply funds, but still fully accounted for.
Austin and Westphal then recognized a group of soldiers and sailors in the tent on the hard work that they had put into the mission before walking through the processing area.
McBride and BAF RSY Noncommissioned Officer in Charge Master Sgt. Archie Belton took this opportunity to show the two distinguished visitors the hands-on process of sorting, the method of returning items to the supply system and the end products right before being sealed up and sent out.
Through the tour, Westphal stated, “our ability to show the American taxpayer that we are a good stewardship of their money is incredible. You have our maximum support. Thank you for your sacrifices, and thank your family, especially during Thanksgiving. Your success here is very important to us.”
Austin said that he was, “proud of what you are doing and very grateful for what you are doing… to make the world a better place. This movement (of materiel) is a testament to you.”
The morning progressed and the group left shortly after visiting with all of the service members that were deployed through Thanksgiving Day.
| Date Taken: | 11.21.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 11.24.2012 07:51 |
| Story ID: | 98298 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 364 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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