Posted on 12/16/2005 4:11:47 PM PST by SandRat
12/16/2005 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Moving supplies across Iraq can be a daunting task, but it is one more than 150 Airmen of Detachment 2632 have come together to do each day.
These 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron “in-lieu-of” forces assist the Army's 181st Transportation Battalion run convoy missions primarily to forward operating locations throughout Iraq.
Det. 2632 is not their official Air Force name. They inherited it from the 2632nd Transportation Company, a California Army National Guard unit from which the Air Force picked up the mission. The Airmen, representing nine specialty codes, have varying experience levels since they don’t do this job at their home stations.
“About 25 percent of my Airmen have done this mission before,” said detachment commander Capt. Richard Pike. “And there are 15 people who have only been in service for a year.”
Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Keller, the unit’s chief enlisted manager, is one of the Airmen who have done this before. He was deployed to Balad in February 2004 when the Air Force first began providing convoy support to the Army.
"We have four other people here who were on the first gun truck missions conducted at Balad and are going to be here when it closes down," Chief Keller said. “The Air Force is transferring the mission back to the Army because we have been tasked for a new mission. Their new mission is to perform line-haul convoys based elsewhere in Southwest Asia.”
Despite the end of this mission, the Airmen remain focused on other aspects of their job, like maintaining convoy vehicles and providing security during trips for other customers.
The Airmen embraced the various missions, learning as much as they can about different aspects of the detachment.
“Our Airmen come from career fields that range from intelligence to supply, vehicle maintenance to security forces. However, a bulk are from vehicle operations,” Chief Keller said. “Everyone came here trained in their job; we now have vehicle operators who are also qualified as gunners and security forces Airmen qualified as operators.
“You cannot tell one AFSC from the other,” the chief said. “We are all one AFSC. Everyone is doing what they can to help.”
The Airmen's desire to step outside their normal lane of expertise has had a positive impact on the shop. And Chief Keller said despite occasional weariness, their motivation remains high.
"The Airmen we have out here take a lot of pride in their mission and it shows," the chief said. "They receive a lot of respect from the Army."
Many of the Airmen also realize their deployment to Iraq is unique.
“This is something not every Airman will get the chance to experience,” vehicle operator Senior Airman Levi Parrish said. “I have gotten to meet Iraqis firsthand. I have had first hand experiences outside of the wire which is something very few Airmen can say.”
AF PING
"Many of the Airmen also realize their deployment to Iraq is unique."
Yes it is true, many of the EM have yet to receive the matching box spring that goes with their mattress!
And they don't have enough Astroturf to carpet their hooches.
BTW, KBR Balad/Anaconda only issues beds with springs that sag almost to the floor after two weeks of use. After that, you're basically sleeping in a hole in your bed.
that are approved by the contracting officer on site. Don't blame KBR if you don't like your beds. Sheesh, a couple years ago all we had was cots in GP larges, no hot water heaters, and not enough fresh COLD water for all of us to shower.
I don't want to get into a 'walked uphill both ways to the DFAC' conversation, but to complain about not having decent beds in a combat zone.....??
They were requisitioned from RMK-BRJ's extreme discount center (SEA).
Everyone would complain if the were overspending.
....so, you're saying that we're building cameraderie, adaptability, skills, and relationships within and without the military?? Things that might prove priceless should there be any more 'difficulties' in the region>
Hillary will never approve.
I hesitate to even think of Kerry's bulging neck veins. I'm sure that Massachusetts will run out of Single Malt when Kennedy hears of it.
... And Dean? Oooooooooooohhh!
Hold it a second. I like KBR, I think they do a great job in Iraq. Outstanding as a matter of fact.
But the beds are ridiculous.
Don't be so thin-skinned.
BTTT
he said, "it got right close in there". (i suspect that is truly an UNDERstatement.)
free dixie,sw
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