Taji Depot Ramps Up Training, Supply Efforts

Defend America News ^ | Oct 5, 2005 | Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell

[SandRat]

An Iraqi maintenance worker checks under the hood of a truck to make sure it's operational before being shipped out. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lorie Jewell
Taji Depot Ramps Up Training, Supply Efforts
The depot supplies the logistic needs of 10 divisions of the Iraqi Armed Forces, with items ranging from weapons and body armor to ambulances and pickup trucks.
By U.S. Army Sgt. Lorie Jewell Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq TAJI, Iraq, Oct. 5, 2005 -- Since operations began in May, the Taji National Depot has completed roughly 500 missions by ground and by air to move equipment and materials to Iraqi Armed Forces units throughout the country. "The volume of inventory that passes through the depot is ramping up daily." U.S. Army Lt. Col. Levonda Selph "The volume of inventory that passes through the depot is ramping up daily," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Levonda Selph, the depot's coalition commander. Her counterpart, Iraqi Lt. Col. Mohomud, commands the Iraqi side of the operation. The tempo will continue to increase with the hiring of a convoy security and truck fleet dedicated to moving shipments to the units, she said. With 383 Iraqi soldiers, 150 contractors and 20 U.S. soldiers, the depot is responsible for supplying the logistic needs of 10 divisions of the Iraqi Armed Forces, along with regional base support units. Items ranging from weapons and body armor to ambulances and pickup trucks are managed by the depot. The National Depot manages the distribution of all types of equipment and supplies headed to Iraqi Security Forces, including ambulances. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lorie Jewell	An Iraqi soldier assigned to the Taji National Depot moves a load of supplies to a warehouse. The depot began operations in May and since then has completed roughly 500 missions involving getting equipment and supplies to Iraqi forces. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lorie Jewell In addition to moving supplies and equipment, the depot's mission also includes training Iraqi soldiers to operate and maintain it. Iraq's Ministry of Defense has jurisdiction over the depot, with oversight from Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq. Preparation for operations began in March with the renovation of nine warehouses and an office building. An inventory management system called Exceed was also established; a private contractor now manages the system. Since then, 11 more warehouses have been renovated. Construction of a loading dock was completed last month. In three months, the depot shipped more than 850 various types of vehicles. On-going projects include creating a living area for Iraqi soldiers assigned to the depot, installing a water and sewage system and building a dining facility.

[SandRat]

And the gains just keep on coming.

[Marine_Uncle]

Yo SR. These are the type of articles all at FR should see.
Yet another part of the Iraqi military the must be fully capable in order for us to be able to start ramping down operations in Iraq next year.

[jmc1969]

It will just take time.

[hiredhand]

If only the MSM would focus on things like this. Wishfull thinking. :-).... but it would be nice.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Wishfull thinking" It is to much to expect. They cannot reverse course. Their reader/viewer-ship even if continue to decrease will not affect the salaries of the top dogs who call the shots.

[McGavin999]

This is great. How much do you want to bet that the senators that were grilling Casey the other day never even gave a thought to logistics. The Iraqi army will end up being the best in the middle east.

[Marine_Uncle]

"How much do you want to bet that the senators that were grilling Casey the other day never even gave a thought to logistics. The Iraqi army will end up being the best in the middle east."

I had the same thought. I realize our military must keep them informed, but heaven knows how many of them have the slightest idea as how the military operates. And for someone like the hildabeast, she could give a fizzle less. And for someone like say Hanoi John, hell he probably is still stinging from being told to go home after shooting the guy in the back and heaven knows how many times mashing up gunnels on his swift boat trying to pull into a dock with tide and wind instead of the against them, he just sits there like an idiot. So our generals and admirals, God bless em all, probably look down on these goons with condecending eyes, and just spout off the military jargon figuring they will not have to answer anything important. And what can we say about the big tub of lard. They should have invited Charlie Rangel to sit in as a guest, and hear some real words of wisdom. Oh well, the majority of Americans appear to pay their taxes, so the salaries shall never go away.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT