Paratroopers provide brigade with logistical support

By Spc. Joshua R. Ford

Paratroopers from the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, are making combat operations possible in the Salah ad Din Province by providing combat units with the supplies necessary to carry out their mission.

2nd Lt. William Angle, fuel and water platoon leader, Company A, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, checks off names during a role call before a combat logistics patrol to Forward Operating Base Brassfield-Mora, Iraq, Oct. 12, 2006, at Contingency Operations Base Speicher, Iraq. US Army photo by Spc. Joshua R. Ford (released)

"We consider [combat logistics patrols] to be our center of gravity. It's where all the capabilities of the battalion come together into a single mission to distribute logistics out to the combat formations at the operating bases. It includes all of our supplies and our services to include maintenance, medical and many other capabilities," said Lt. Col. John Hamilton, 82nd BSB commander.

"We are the lifeline for the forward units' supply," said 2nd Lt. William Angle, fuel and water platoon leader, Company A, 82nd BSB.

Prior to each patrol, the Paratroopers may have up to two days to pack, prepare equipment and get an intelligence analysis of the route.

Sgt. Joshua Holman, truck driver, Company A, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, guides a vehicle off the back of a trailer during a combat logistics patrol Oct. 12, 2006, at Forward Operating Base Brassfield-Mora, Iraq. The vehicle was delivered to FOB Brassfield-Mora to support the movement of supplies within the FOB. US Army photo by Spc. Joshua R. Ford (released)

"We try to stay on the road while the least [improvised-explosive device] activity is going on," said 1st Lt. Caitlin M. Machon, an intelligence officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd BSB.

Hamilton says that the BSB is always one step ahead of the enemy because of the analysis his intelligence section provides.

Since the BSB began CLP operations in Iraq, they have spotted numerous amounts of roadside bombs because of the intelligence reports provided before each mission, said Machon.

After spotting the IEDs, the convoy commander radios to the nearest explosive-ordinance-disposal team to neutralize the threat, added Machon.

Much time and patience goes into organizing a combat logistics patrol, said Angle.

One whole day is consumed with packing all the supplies of the outlying forward operating bases that are serviced. Some of the needs include water, rations, ammunition and fuel, added Angle.

Sgt. Joshua Holman, truck driver, Company A, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, guides a forklift off a trailer Oct. 12, 2006, to assist in the movement of supplies within Forward Operating Base Brassfield-Mora, Iraq. US Army photo by Spc. Joshua R. Ford (released)

The next day is filled with weapons and systems checks and letting units know that a CLP will pass through their area of operation, continued Angle.

Convoying down the roads and highways throughout the province, sometimes with up to 18 vehicles, makes them a target for enemy attack. A voluntary security platoon was established to ensure the protection of the convoy during the long haul to a destination.

The 82nd BSB has no combat job titles in the unit. So, truck drivers, mechanics and fuel handlers went through a significant amount of training to provide security for every convoy supported by the BSB.

Thirty Paratroopers had to go through training that included blue- force-tracker training, training on various weapon systems, additional rules-of-engagement and escalation-of-force training and IED awareness training.

Because of the hazards that come with traveling the dangerous roads of Iraq, the BSB is provided with OH-58D Kiowa Warrior support on every mission. The helicopter's birds-eye-view has proved to be extremely helpful in pointing out blast holes, dismounted personnel and anything looking suspicious.

With all of the elements required to run these missions, the group can support many needs of any unit, said Angle.

The logistics patrols are not limited to the bases in their area of operation, though. Battalion missions have stretched all the way to Tal Afar, Iraq, before, meaning the BSB can provide needed support to units much further than the usual bases the troops travel to, said Angle.

"Our goal is to move efficiently, not creating more problems than already exist out there and making sure our efforts are synchronized with the combat formations that are working the areas of operations that we travel through," said Hamilton.

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