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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait — As U.S. soldiers continue on supporting
Operation Enduring Freedom, the media is filled with news and images
of American combat troops in Afghanistan and across the globe. But
behind the scenes of these forces are the men and women who ensure
the front-line troops have what is needed to fight.
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Soldiers of the 143d Sustainment Command
(Expeditionary) conduct a Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) drill here
Sept. 20, 2013. The ROC drill simulates how the 143d ESC provides
sustainment support for contingency operations throughout their area
of responsibility. Among those in attendance were Maj. Gen. Kurt J.
Stein, Commander 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) and Brig. Gen.
Bryan W. Wampler, Commander 143d Sustainment Command
(Expeditionary), who offered insights and advice to the group. (U.S.
Army photo by Spc. Aaron Ellerman)
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In 2009, the 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)
became the first ESC to conduct command-level sustainment
operations in Afghanistan. Now in 2013, the 143d has once
again been called into action in support of OEF. 143d
Soldiers are currently deployed in Kuwait, Qatar,
Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and other areas in the region. They
are Task Force 32 and the area they support is Joint
Security Area- Georgia; U.S. Army Central Commands' area of
responsibility within the Middle East.
Task Force 32
owes its name to Lt. General Jeffrey W. Talley's Rally Point
32, which is his “strategic intent for the Army Reserve to
sustain a high quality, all-volunteer, operational Army
Reserve for Army and Joint Force missions at home and
abroad.”
The
143d ESC Task Force 32 has many moving parts and each
section works diligently to ensure mission success during
its support of OEF.
The support operations section,
or SPO for short, comprises nearly half the approximately
250 Soldiers in the command.
“The SPO is important
because the entire theater depends on the SPO,” said Sgt.
Maj. Monte M. Waller, the senior enlisted soldier for the
section and a native of Dodge City, Ks. “We know everything
on the roads, what it is and how it's getting there.”
The SPO is divided into many cells, each with its own
function: the distribution integration branch; human
resource operations; mobility; operations contract support;
financial operations; logistics automation; supply and
services; munitions; and the material readiness branch.
Together, these branches handle the logistics of nearly all
supplies and equipment for U.S. troops in JSA Georgia.
Everything that service members need to fight and survive,
the SPO sustains the levels required by tracking and
distributing what is needed. This includes water, food,
building supplies, ammunition, fuel, vehicles, and much
more.
The mobility section of the SPO gathers
information from subordinate transportation units and
ensures those movements are executed within mission
priorities.
“The mobility branch collects, validates,
conducts and manages requirements for air and surface
movement from supported units and determines the most
appropriate mode for the requirements and recommends
priorities of movement for each separate mode,” said Master
Sgt. Manuel Garces, movements noncommissioned officer in
charge and native of Puerto Rico.“We provide guidance,
advice and staff oversight on the employment capabilities of
air, land and water transportation assets to subordinate
units. As branch NCOIC I'm responsible for the coordination
for all branch members and support the Branch OIC in the day
to day activities.”
For example, a particular operating
base may need fuel, but the convoy planning to head their
way may be carrying water. In which case, personnel from
mobility will contact transportation units, making sure the
need for fuel is satisfied first.
The distribution
integration branch is the internal information center
through which all the SPO cells funnel their information.
“It's making sure that the right people and products are
there at the right time by synchronizing efforts of the SPO
with adjacent staff sections,” said Maj. Charley Fairbanks a
Johnston, Iowa resident.
Since each SPO cell has a
specific responsibility, the DIB is important since it
collects information and then passes it on to the party for
which it is intended.
The S&S (supply and services)
cell of the SPO manages supply class 1, 2, 3 and 4. Class 1
includes rations like bottled water and food. Items like
tents comprise class 2 supplies. Class 3 is composed of
supplies like bulk fuel, oils, and petroleum. Finally,
construction materials are labeled class 4.
“S&S
controls supply and demand, equipment, water and food,” said
Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Chatman, S&S NCOIC and a native of
Orlando, Fla. “Without S&S the warfighter will not succeed.”
Together these supply classes of the basic necessities of
life contribute to the sustainability of U.S. forces in JSA
Georgia. Anything from laundry services to showers, the S&S
section of the SPO manages.
The distribution
management center, or DMC, works simultaneously with SPO.
“DMC is the heart of SPO operations, how we
support the war fighter, all the movement and supplies go
through the SPO,” said Garces.
When the SPO and
SPO sergeant major are away traveling to meet with
“customers,” the DMC chief steps in to act as the leader of
the SPO. The DMC supervises daily operations within the area
of responsibility and provides sustainment operations advice
to the commander.
Besides the SPO and DMC, members of
the other general staff sections support the ESC itself as
well as U.S. forces in JSA Georgia. These sections are
personnel (G-1); intelligence (G-2); operations (G-3/5/7);
logistics (G-4); signal/information technology (G-6);
finance (G-8); civil affairs (G-9); inspector general (IG);
equal opportunity (EO); staff judge advocate (JAG); public
affairs (PAO); command surgeon and safety.
Soldiers
of the G-1 section compile human resources information daily
for the ESC and its subordinate units.
“The main role
of G-1 in a deployed environment is personnel accountability
and strength reporting, said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Barry
Wilde, human resource technician, a native of Mystic, Conn.
“It is paramount that we know at any given time where are
soldiers are at on the battlefield.”
The G-1 section
is responsible for replacing non-battle losses of personnel
in the ESC and its subordinates. This means if someone
redeploys due to illness, injury, etc., the section fills
that now-empty position. Awards of specific levels also come
through the G-1 section. For example, if a subordinate unit
wishes to award one of its Soldiers a meritorious service
medal, the medal must be approved by a general officer. The
unit will send paperwork to the G-1 to be processed and
reviewed for approval.
In G-4, troops are responsible
for monitoring and managing internal logistics.
“G-4
is a vital part of support operations for the 1st Theater
Sustainment Command for all current and forecasted
missions,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Joseph Phoebus,
senior ordnance ground maintenance warrant officer G-4, a
native of Middleburg, Fla.
Phoebus and his team
coordinate lodging and food support for the ESC before they
even arrive in theater. They ensure supplies for the ESC
itself get where they are supposed to go.
The G-4
also inspects the accountability of subordinate units
regarding their transportation and maintenance programs.
This includes ensuring the units are keeping the proper
records and receipts.
The G-6 section works with
signal units across JSA Georgia to get computer systems up
and running and then maintained for the ESC.
“All
the media helpdesk issues will be solved by my staff,” said
Lt. Col. Jorge Riera, chief of G-6 and native of Ponce, P.R.
The daily number of help tickets often reaches 30. Problems
range anywhere from a Soldier being unable to print to
needing a new account on a particular system. This means
Riera's staff installs network drops and runs wires. They
also solve issues soldiers may have with their computers or
software. Video calls and teleconferences are also
facilitated by G-6 soldiers.
With only about three
personnel, the G-8 section is small but accomplishes a great
deal. They track and control the money for travel within
theater, equipment, food, and uniforms for Task Force 32
troops, along with the payroll.
“Our goal is to
ensure proper execution of funds and ensure the efficiency
and effectiveness of our funding,” said Capt. Daniella
Fitzhugh, comptroller for G-8 and native of Guntersville,
Ala.
Besides overseeing funding of subordinate units,
they also monitor Soldiers who travel around the country to
validate contractors.
“We make sure the best job
possible gets done,” said Fitzhugh.
Sgt. 1st Class
Cesar Rivera, civil affairs NCOIC, advises the commander in
all civilian operations.
“Civil affairs deals with
civilians outside [military bases] and helps to build
rapport by strengthening their trust,” said Rivera, a native
of Puerto Rico. “For example, in Afghanistan we can get shot
at everyday non-stop, but if I am given the opportunity, I
can speak with them in a diplomatic way to help fix any
issues.”
The soldiers in G-9 practice diplomatic
relations with those people – the local populace. The G-9
also provides coalition loan support and strengthens
relations with coalition forces.
In addition to
these logistic and staff sections of the ESC, are those
known as special staff and the Headquarters and Headquarters
Company (HHC). These vital sections include the chaplain,
public affairs, inspector general, equal opportunity,
safety, judge advocate and the command surgeon.
The
chaplains accomplish several necessary duties, including
facilitating the free exercise of religion and promoting and
living the Army values.
“The chaplain has a lot of
resources at his or her disposal,” said Lt. Col. Brian Ray,
the command chaplain and a native of Gainesville, Fla.
Not only can chaplains serve as confidants for Soldiers
struggling with personal issues or stress, but chaplains can
also refer Soldiers to combat stress teams, psychologists
who are available to listen and help soldiers.
The
chaplains also directly advise the commander on how religion
affects military operations. For example, perhaps a popular
religious pilgrimage to a specific city means military
convoys traveling through that area should seek an alternate
route. Chaplains also accompany military leaders on visits
to the local populace since many throughout the region also
view chaplains as leaders.
The deployment may prove
different from the typical ESC mission. According to Waller,
this time the 143d ESC is participating in retrograde
operations due to President Barack Obama's planned
withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
By U.S. Army Sgt. Elisebet Freeburg
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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