The official magazine of the Joint Sustainment Command - Afghanistan and the 3d Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

1. August2012
Sustainer
Published in the interest of Joint Sustainment Command - Afghanistan Soldiers and their Families
The Salang Tunnel
Page 5
781st Trans. Co. runs convoys
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2. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
On the inside ... From the editor:
Commander’s Corner Welcome to the third edition of Sustainer
magazine - a monthly publication by the Joint Sus-
Page 3 tainment Command - Afghanistan Public Affairs Of-
fice.
The Chaplain’s Office
Page 3 This magazine is for you - Soldiers and Fami-
lies of the JSC-A. We’d like to get your feedback on
CSM’s Corner the content and anything you’d like to see in future
Page 4 issues, so send me an e-mail, or write on our Face-
book wall (www.facebook.com/3dESC).
The Salang Tunnel I want to remind everyone that the deadlines
Page 5 for submitting absentee ballot requests are coming
up soon. It is extremely important that every Soldier
Becoming a citizen and Family member takes the time to vote - it is a
Page 6 right we defend, so we need to take the time to exer-
cise that right.
That’s a lot of cargo
Page 7 Each state has different deadlines and re-
quirements, so head on over to FVAP.gov to find the
18th CSSB uncases colors exact details for your home state, and as always, if
you have any questions, or need any help, please let
Page 8 me know.
KAF food court opens Sgt. 1st Class Rob Strain
Page 8 Sustainer Editor
Independence Day at KAF
Page 9
RPAT helps draw down
Page 10
THINK: negligent discharges
Page 11
And much more ...
The Sustainer magazine is an authorized publication for members of the DOD.
Contents of Sustainer are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by,
the U.S. Government or the Department of the Army. The editorial content of this
publication is the responsibility of the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)
Public Affairs Office.
Brig. Gen. Kristin French, Comanding General, 3d ESC
Maj. Jim Bono, Public Affairs Officer
Sgt. 1st Class Rob Strain, Sustainer Editor
Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin, Sustainer Staff Writer
Contributing Writers:
Sgt. Gregory Williams, Spc. Isaac Adams, Sgt. 1st Class Luis Saavedra
The Sustainer staff can be reached by email at robert.j.strain.mil@mail.mil, by
phone: (502) 624-8523, or by mail to 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary),
ATTN: PAO, 1747 Old Ironsides Ave, Fort Knox, KY 40121.
Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French, the commander of the Joint Sustainment Command – Afghanistan and the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary),
greets Afghan Lt. Gen. Mohammad Rajab, Minister of Public Works for the Salang Pass, during her visit to the Salang Pass in Afghanistan’s Parwan
province on July 27. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin)
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3. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
Commander’s Corner - Afghanistan
Joint Sustainment Command
Brig. Gen. Kristin French
Sustainer Families and friends, it isn’t nearly as hot as it is here),
and there will be many activities
Greetings! JSC-A had a going on around Fort Knox and
truly busy July – on top of our the 3d ESC. Make sure you take
ongoing sustainment support, we the time to stay informed - all the
took some time to celebrate our latest from Fort Knox and Afghani-
Nation’s independence, enjoyed stan is available on our Facebook
some barbeque with members of page (www.facebook.com/3dESC).
our Army family, and continued to
support each other as we serve so I want to thank the Sol-
far away from home. diers and Families of JSC-A for
what they do every day – our Sol-
CSM Roberts and I spent a diers are doing extremely well, and
great deal of time in July travelling I am very proud of all their hard
around Afghanistan visiting our work. Families and friends, thank
units. Included in our battlefield you for your endless support of
circulation was a visit to Mazar- the Soldiers. They have a hard job,
e-Sharif where the JSC-A Deputy and it is your support that helps
Commander, COL Chris Wicker, them each and every day – thank
and several others are overseeing you for sustaining them so they
the build of a Northern Logistics cal to keeping service members in can Sustain the Line.
Hub, visits to see JSC-A Soldiers Afghanistan sustained as supplies
in Qatar, Kabul and Bagram, and move across the country. Have a great August!
a recent visit to the Salang Net-
work with one of our subordinate For those of you back Sustaining the Line!
units. The route runs through home in the States, the summer is Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French
the Hindu Kush Mountains and quickly coming to an end – school Sustainer 6
includes a 1.6-mile tunnel, built in will be starting soon, the tempera-
1964. The Salang Network is criti- tures may finally cool off (although
The Chaplain’s Command - Afghanistan
Joint Sustainment Office
Chaplain David VanderJagt
The Holy Ramadan During the month of Ra- is 1/30 of the Qur’an) is recited.
madan, Muslims fast from dawn to Therefore the entire Qur’an would
Greetings. Ramadan is dusk. be completed at the end of the
the ninth month of the Islamic month.
calendar, which lasts 29 to 30 Ramadan is a time of
days. It is the Islamic month of reflecting, believing and worship- Muslims all around the
fasting, in which participating ing God. Muslims are expected to world will abstain from food and
Muslims refrain from eating and put more effort into following the drink, through fasting, from dawn
drinking and is intended to teach teachings of Islam and to avoid to sunset. At sunset, the family
Muslims about patience, humility, obscene and irreligious sights and will gather the fast-breaking meal
and spirituality. Muslims fast for sounds. known as Iftar.
the sake of God and to offer more
prayer than usual. In addition to fasting, The holiday of Eid ul-Fitr
Muslims are encouraged to read marks the end of the fasting peri-
Muslims believe Ramadan the entire Qur’an. Some Mus- od of Ramadan and the first day of
to be an auspicious month for the lims perform the recitation of the the following month, after another
revelations of God to humankind, entire Qur’an by means of special new moon has been sighted.
being the month in which the first prayers, called Tarawih, which are
verses of the Qur’an were revealed held in the mosques every night of Chaplain VanderJagt
to the Islamic prophet, Muham- the month, during which a whole
mad. section of the Qur’an (Juz’, which
Page3

4. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
Command Sgt. Command - Afghanistan
Joint Sustainment Maj.’s Corner
Command Sgt. Maj. Karl Roberts
Greetings from Kandahar Air- As leaders, we have to
field, emphasize the importance of fol-
lowing the rules and staying in the
Team, as always, I would game until the mission is com-
first like to thank the families plete. For those of us who travel to
and friends of the 3d Sustain- locations throughout Afghanistan,
ment Command (Expeditionary) we have to avoid routines and
for the tremendous support they’ve patterns, as the enemy is always
showed our Soldiers during our watching and pays attention to
deployment thus far. The love and everything that we do. As we
support you’ve showed our Sol- continue to do great things during
diers have provided a tremendous this deployment, let’s make sure
boost to the overall morale of the complacency is not an issue within
3d Sustainment Command (Expe- the 3d ESC.
ditionary) and Joint Sustainment
Command – Afghanistan. When we come together as
a team, there’s nothing we can’t
While our Soldiers have far accomplish. To the Soldiers of
exceeded the expectations of the the 3d ESC, stay motivated, stay
command’s leadership, there are focused and always remember to
always areas that can be approved sustain the line.
upon. And while it may not nec-
essarily be an issue in our com- Sustaining the Line!
mand, it’s an issue relevant to the CSM Karl A. Roberts
U.S. Army, which is complacency. nearing the end of their respective Sustainer 7
tours. At this particular point,
Complacency has been cit- Soldiers tend to take short cuts
ed as the primary factor contribut- and begin to not follow their tacti-
ing to casualties in Afghanistan cal practices to the fullest and as
and is common amongst those a result, accidents happen.
Find something that worked - or didn’t work? Let CALL know
CALL LNO to JSC-A:
Lt. Col. Mike Poss
michael.poss@afghan.swa.army.mil
CALL Lessons Learned NIPR website:
https://call2army.mil
Army Professional Forums:
https://forums.army.mil
CALL SIPRNET Homepage:
http://call.army.smil.mil
CALL SIPRNET OEF Current Operations:
http://calloif.leavenworth.army.smil.mil
The Center for Army Lessons Learned rapidly collects, analyzes, disseminates and archives OIL, TTP and op-
erational records in order to facilitate rapid adapation initiatives and conduct focused knowledge sharing and
transfer that informs the Army and enables operationally based decision making, integration, and innovation
throughout the Army and within the JIIM environment.
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5. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin
(Left) Lt. Gen. Mohammad Rajab, Minister of
Public Works for the Salang Pass, briefed Brig.
Gen. Kristin K. French, the commander of Joint
Sustainment Command – Afghanistan and the
3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary),
during her visit to the Salang Pass in Afghani-
stan’s Parwan province on July 27. The Salang
Pass is a critical route which connects northern
and southern Afghanistan and travels through
the Hindu Kush Mountains. The Salang Pass in-
cludes a 1.6 mile tunnel which was built in 1964
by the Soviets and handles anywhere from an
estimated 10,000 to 20,000 vehicles daily. (U.S.
Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin)
(Below) Col. Kurt J. Ryan, commander of the 10th
Sustainment Brigade, presents Lt. Gen. Moham-
mad Rajab, Minister of Public Works for the
Salang Pass, a gift during a recent visit to the
Salang Pass in Afghanistan’s Parwan province.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin)
Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French, the commander of the Joint Sustainment
Command – Afghanistan and the 3d Sustainment Command (Expedition-
ary), greets Afghan Lt. Gen. Mohammad Rajab, Minister of Public Works
for the Salang Pass, during her visit to the Salang Pass in Afghanistan’s Several trucks carrying supplies wait to enter the Salang Tunnel in
Parwan province on July 27. The Salang Pass is a critical route which con- Afghanistan’s Parwan province. The 1.6 mile tunnel was built in 1964 by
nects northern and southern Afghanistan and travels through the Hindu the Soviets and handles anywhere from an estimated 10,000 to 20,000
Kush Mountains. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin) vehicles daily. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin)
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6. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
Sustainers host naturalization ceremony
Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin was the Honorable Stephen G.
McFarland, the Ambassador and
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Coordinating Director Rule of Law
Afghanistan – The Joint Sustain- and Law Enforcement for the U.S.
ment Command-Afghanistan Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.
hosted a naturalization ceremony
at Kandahar Airfield on June 29, McFarland, who joined the
2012. embassy in January, said that he
was honored to have the opportu-
In total, 44 service mem- nity to attend the ceremony and
bers serving in the Combined Joint aid in the process of naturalizing
Operations Area-Afghanistan took America’s newest citizens. He
part in the ceremony and officially explained that by taking the Oath
became American citizens. of Citizenship, they were follow-
ing in the footsteps of many others
Brig. Gen. Kristin K. who had become American’s many
French, the commanding gen- years ago.
eral of JSC-A, thanked everyone
in attendance as these service “Today, you are all Ameri-
members achieved their American cans,” McFarland told the service
dream. members. “By taking the Oath of
Citizenship, you’re joining a long
“Today we celebrate the and proud tradition.” Sgt. John Mesias admires an American Flag
American dream. The dream of a during the naturalization ceremony sponsored
by Joint Sustainment Command – Afghanistan
nation where all people are cre- For many of those natu- on June 29. In total, forty-four service members
ated equal,” said French. “You are ralized during the ceremony, the serving in the combined joint operations area-
here because you have not merely opportunity to become American Afghanistan took part in the ceremony in which
they officially became American citizens. (U.S.
chosen to live in this country, you citizens was one that they have Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin)
have chosen to serve this country dreamed of for many years.
and become an American citizen come a citizen one day, but was
while deployed to Afghanistan.” When Marine Cpl. Carlos never sure of when. He said that
A. Silva joined the military, he he traveled to the United States
Speaking at the ceremony said that he knew he would be- with his parents as a young child,
and grew up there. For Silva, this
day was special and overwhelming
at the same time.
“I’m truly happy to be
here,” said Silva. “Today is a special
day for myself and my family.”
The Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan
hosted a naturalization ceremony at Kandahar
Airfield on June 29, 2012. In total, forty-four
service members serving in the combined joint
operations area-Afghanistan took part in the
ceremony in which they officially became Ameri-
can citizens. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt.
Michael Behlin)
Service members recite the Oath of Citizenship during the naturalization ceremony sponsored by
Joint Sustainment Command – Afghanistan on June 29. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael
Behlin)
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7. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
Multi Modal Yard redeploys over 17.2M lbs of cargo
Sgt. Gregory Williams
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – When
the Ground Lines of Communication, or GLOC,
closed, the Army was forced to use air assets in its
redeployment process.
This challenge was met head on with the
Army and Air Force working together to move cargo
as effectively as possible.
Contributing to the redeployment mission, the
822nd Movement Control Detachment out of Boston,
Mass., opened Kandahar Airfield’s first Multi Modal
Yard, which facilitates and centralizes cargo move-
ment from KAF to the United States.
Spc. Eric Wilson, an armor supply specialist with the 209th Military Police
The Multi Modal Yard has moved approxi- Company (left), performs a weapons inventory in the Kandahar Airfield
Multi Modal Yard on July 11, 2012. The 209th MP Co. is preparing for
mately over 17.2 million lbs of equipment in a six unit’s redeployment back to the United States. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt.
month period, which has contributed to the biggest Gregory Williams)
air lift operation since the Cold War. has helped to make the redeployment process easier
for units by helping them schedule joint inspections
“What amazes me about this mission is how and palletizing cargo.
within our detachment we have all the qualified
personnel who can run this yard efficiently by them- “Other yards would tell a unit they’re respon-
selves,” Staff Sgt. Matthew Wissell, the noncom- sible for scheduling appointments, moving cargo, roll-
missioned officer in charge of the Multi Modal Yard, ing stock, and contacting the Air Force, but we say
822nd MCT said. hey you’ve done your part outside the wire so let us
take care of you,” Sgt. Josemy Morales, a movement
“Our unit was totally self-sustaining because control supervisor, 822nd MCT said.
we had transportation managers, a cargo specialist,
and truck drivers, which is rare for a MCT to have.” “We’re more customer service oriented and
whatever we can do to make the transition from KAF
The Multi Modal yard works with the Air back home easier, we’ll do it.”
Force’s Alpha Yard and Mike Ramp to redeploy pal-
lets, quad-cons, tri-cons, containers, and military The soldiers of the Multi Modal Yard have
vehicles back to the United States. helped various units during their redeployment
from KAF back to the states such as 10th Moun-
As many Forward Operating Bases close in tain Division, 25th Infantry Division, 4th Infantry
anticipation of the drawdown, the Multi Modal yard Division,14th Combat Engineer Battalion, and other
smaller detachments.
“Everything that would normally go by con-
voy, when it comes to the Multi Modal Yard we help
redeploy it by air, which if it has to go we’re going to
get it to go,” said Wissell. “We provide a service that’s
very unique and not available on KAF.”
Even with the reopening of the GLOC, the
822nd MCT Multi Modal Yard will continue to work
24 hours, 7 days a week to make sure units go home
with everything they brought with them.
Whether it’s working with local national driv-
ers or the Air Force, this detachment will make sure
every unit reunites with their cargo.
Sgt. Micheal Newton, a transportation movement noncommissioned officer
with the 822nd Movement Control Detachment, uses a forklift to move a
tricon in the Kandahar Airfield Multi Modal Yard on July 16, 2012. The
Multi Modal yard has redeployed over 17 million pounds of cargo back to
the United States in the past 6 months. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory
Williams)
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8. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion uncases colors
Lt. Col. Michelle Letcher, the battalion commander of the 18th Combat Sustainment Sup-
port Battalion, and Command Sgt. Maj. Ian Griffin, the 18th CSSB’s senior enlisted advisor,
uncase the unit’s colors during a ceremony held at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan on June
29. The 18th CSSB, based out of Grafenwoehr, Germany, will assume command and control
of the full spectrum of sustainment operations as part of a battalion or theater sustainment
command operation during its deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
(Right) Members of the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion color guard present the
colors during an uncasing ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan on June 29. (U.S.
Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin)
Kandahar Airfield food court opens
Sgt. Gregory Williams 655th RSG. go overboard with the whoppers.”
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, “To have the generals of “This food court increases
Afghanistan – A new food court both KAF and the Joint Sustain- morale for all the Soldiers living in
opened at Kandahar Airfield, Af- ment Command - Afghanistan was the South Park area and on KAF
ghanistan on July 4, 2012. a great way to start the event and because it gives them a place to
open up for business,” Gagne said. unwind,” Gagne said.
The food court includes a
Burger King, Popeye’s, Pizza Hut After the ceremony, Sol- Gagne said he couldn’t
and a Village Cuisine. Kandahar diers from the 655th RSG handed have succeeded without the help of
Airfield is home to 23,000 NATO out coupons for free meals in order Staff Sgt. David Stanton, a project
service members and the food to get the word out. manager, 655th RSG and Capt.
court hopes to offer more of a vari- Nancy Lawrence, an officer in
ety to Soldiers. The mission of the food charge, 655th RSG.
court is to not only offer more food
The ribbon cutting ceremo- options to Soldiers, but also brings “Without the support of my
ny for the food court was hosted some popular restaurants to Af- team this mission would’ve been
by the 655th Regional Support ghanistan. a lot harder. It’s because of their
Group with the ribbon being cut hard work the vendors got to work
by Brig. Gen. Scott L. Dennis, “During my lunch break out all the kinks and fine tune
commanding general, 451st Air back at home, I would eat Burger everything,” Gagne said.
Expeditionary Wing and KAF, King everyday so to see one here
Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French, com- makes me feel right at home,” Spc. Whether it’s a crispy piece
manding general, Joint Sustain- Edith Thomas, a logistical spe- of chicken, a crunchy french fry,
ment Command - Afghanistan, cialist, 583rd Medical Logistical a juicy burger, or a cool shake,
Company said. Soldiers on KAF can now taste a
Col. Ernest Erlandson, bit of home at the new South Park
commander, 655th Region Support “You know all of us get food court.
Group, and Lt. James L. Gagne, a tired of eating at the dining facili-
contracting officer representative, ties, but I hope that Soldiers don’t
8
Page

9. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
Kandahar celebrates Independence Day
Sgt. Gregory Williams
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Service
members took part in the NATO Multinational Role 3
Independence Day celebration at the hospital’s deck
on July 3, 2012. The United Services Organization
sponsored the event as service members came to-
gether to celebrate America’s independence.
A hospital deck filled with water balloon
fights, tri-cycle races, raffles, and grilled pepperoni
pizzas was a scene that could’ve easily been taken
from a park.
“People have this perception of the hospital
not being a fun place, but it helps us service mem-
bers to bond,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Mason, NCOIC of
the Warrior Recovery Center with NATO Role 3 Multi-
national Medical Unit. “This event was a stress relief
for the staff and gave some wounded warriors time to
not focus on their injuries.
As service members munched down on hot
dogs, hamburgers, and macaroni potato salad, a
member of the Role 3 unit announced to everyone
that it would be the last call for free raffle tickets. A
crowd of Soldiers surrounded the staff worker with More than 600 service members took part in the NATO Multina-
tional Role 3 Independence Day celebration on July 3, 2012 at Kandahar
hopes of winning an X-Box, iPad, or a pair of Dre Airfield. The USO sponsored the event as service members came together
Beats, which were donated by the Kandahar USO. to celebrate America’s independence. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory
Williams)
“The men and women of the Role 3 work tire- The highlight of the evening was the bas-
lessly every day to care for our injured service mem- ketball contest between the enlisted personnel and
bers and it’s a great thing to take care of the Role officers, which was followed by an impromptu water
3 in return,” said Priya Butler, Director of the USO balloon fight.
Southwest Asia region.
“It’s always good to have non-military sup-
“One of the most fun prizes we gave away was port for events it shows the amazing support and
the Michael Jackson dance off for the X-Box.” love they have for all the troops,” Sgt. Eric Sargent, a
warrior recovery noncommissioned officer, NATO Role
3 Multinational Medical Unit said.
As the evening winded down and service
members refocused on their mission, the attendees
had fun celebrating America’s independence. “We all
miss the celebrations at home, but this was a chance
to enjoy our Independence Day in Afghanistan and
we had a great time doing it,” Butler said.
Even though the service members didn’t have
a park or fireworks display they had the deck and
sounds of fighter jets taking off. A holiday usually
celebrated by families was instead celebrated with
brothers and sisters in arms.
“Having events like this breaks up the nor-
mal day to day operations and not only did it help
us unwind, but it brings the staff, NATO forces, the
Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephanie Morrow and Sgt. Eric Sargent, a warrior
of the NATO Role 3 Multinational Unit engage in an intense water fight on USO, and wounded warriors together to celebrate the
July 4, 2012 at Kandahar Airfield. The two service members celebrated greatest country in the world’s independence,” said
the 4th of July by eating hamburgers and getting into water fights on the
hospitals deck. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams) Sargent.
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10. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
RPAT yard helps with U.S. Forces draw down
Sgt. Gregory Williams
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Af-
ghanistan – For units redeploying
home, the Redistribution Property
Accountability Team yard repre-
sents the end of mission.
But for the Soldiers of the
3rd Battalion, 401st Army Field
Support Brigade, it represents a
mission that will continue until
the last Soldier goes home.
The 3-401st works with
contractors to in-process battle
damaged vehicles, conduct ammo
abatement operations and rede-
ploys cargo back to the U.S.
Spc. Anthony Espinal, a transportation data clerk, 427th Brigade Support Battalion, inputs data on
In the last four months, the the Redistribution Property Accountability Team yard tracker on July 19, 2012 at Bagram Airfield.
RPAT yard has redeployed more The RPAT yard tracker allows the 3rd Battalion, 401st Army Field Support Battalion to track and
inventory all retrograde cargo. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)
than 1,600 pieces of rolling stock
with the anticipation of the work- 3-401st has been so overwhelm- “I have great Soldiers and
load tripling in the coming months ing that the battalion has received my goal at the end of this deploy-
during the U.S. Forces drawdown. cross-leveled Soldiers from the ment is to retrograde 50,000 or
427th BSB who are learning trans- more combat vehicles,” McNulty
“I know there are other portation management skills. said. “Our unit hopes to increase
yards on Bagram that help with the monthly velocity of retrograde
the redeployment process, but it “I come from an infantry to exceed 600 vehicles per month
feels like everyone in country is unit originally doing signal sup- to make that happen.”
coming through our yard,” port systems stuff, but now I’m
learning more about transporta- As the traffic continues to
Spc. Anthony Espinal, a tion operations,” Espinal said. flow through the Ground Lines
transportation data clerk with the of Communications (GLOC), the
427th Brigade Support Battalion Lt. Col. Brian McNulty, a 3-401st AFSB will start to rede-
cross leveled to the 3-401st AFSB logistics task force commander, ploy cargo at a faster rate.
said. “Everyday it’s a lot of trucks, 3-401st AFSB, said the cross-lev-
a lot of paperwork and a lot of eled Soldiers are learning how to “Until we perfect the ret-
tracking everything that goes in become logisticians because they rograde process all we’re doing is
and out of our yard.” have great attitudes and determi- trying to make the mission more
nation. effective,” Espinal said. “In the
The workload for the past four months we’ve moved over
$500 million worth of cargo so the
better the process, the easier it
helps units get home.”
McNulty said even though
there have been some difficulty
with the RPAT yard process en-
forcement, this is shaping out to
be the best mission he’s ever had.
The mission of the RPAT
yard may not be an easy one, but
for the 3-401st AFSB it doesn’t
have to be easy … a sense of ful-
Master Sgt. Patrick Perez, a noncommissioned officer in charge, 3rd Battalion, 401st Army Field fillment will come when the job is
Support Brigade and Sgt. Joriann Garcia Hernandez, a supply sergeant, 427th Brigade Support Bat- done.
talion, discuss cargo placement inside the Redistribution Property Accountability Team yard on July
19, 2012 at Bagram Airfield. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams)
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11. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
THINK: Negligent Discharges
JSC-A Safety Office
The improper handling and clearing of a per-
sonal weapon can be deadly.
Over the past 15 months, four service mem-
bers have been killed from negligent discharges.
JSC-A has had 7 ND's since May 12, 57% oc-
curred away from clearing barrels. A little under half
have occurred due to mishandling of the weapon, ei-
ther not knowing what they were doing, or not treat-
ing the weapon as a weapon.
The main factors are complacency and over
confidence. Leaders and individual service members
need to stay focused on the mission at hand when han-
dling weapons.
Warrant Officers Corps celebrate 94th birthday
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Curtis Grover, Brig. Gen. Kristin K.
French and Warrant Officer Leon Griffith, cut a cake in tribute
to the Warrant Officer Corps 94th Birthday during a ceremony
on Kandahar Airfield on July 9, 2012. French was the guest
speaker at the event which honored the corps history and lin-
eage. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Behlin)
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12. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
Brig. Gen. David Clarkson visits the 18th CSSB retrograde yard
Spc. Isaac Adams
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD,
Afghanistan – Brig. Gen. David
Clarkson, the Deputy Command-
ing General of the 1st Theater
Sustainment Command walked
through the Kandahar Retrograde
Yard with Lt. Col. Michelle M.T.
Letcher, the commander of the
18th Combat Sustainment Sup-
port Battalion, July 10.
The retrograde yard is
staffed primarily by the units
and Soldiers of the 18th CSSB;
the Special Troops Battalion,
45th Sustainment Brigade; Bravo
Company, 113th Special Troops Bat-
talion; and Bravo Company, 427th
Brigade Support Battalion. Clark-
son and Letcher walked though
the yard, speaking with the Sol-
diers, civilians, noncommissioned
officers and officers working in the Spc. Corey Sutton, from Woodbridge, Va. and Sgt. Davin Pelton of Troy, Il., both automated logistic
specialists with the 40th QMC of the 45th special troops battalion, speak with the deputy command-
yard. ing general of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Brig. Gen. David Clarkson, about the opera-
tion of the processing portion of the retrograde yard. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Isaac Adams, 18th
Spc. Tommy Wilson, an Combat Sustainment Support Battalion)
information systems technician, out of [Afghanistan], really, that’s from leaders on multiple different
from Stokesdale, N.C., with Bravo a good thing.” levels.
Company, 113th Special Troops
Battalion, works in the sorting During the walkthrough, “My primary mission is to
tent in the Kandahar Retrograde Clarkson said the retrograde find and sort the items that we
Yard. support of Operation Enduring receive,” stated Spc. Jade Bumbry,
Freedom, here in Afghanistan, a unit supply clerk from Roanoke,
“It’s that first step that will most likely be attracting a lot Va., who is here with Bravo Com-
we’ve been waiting on for awhile, of attention from multiple higher pany, 113th Special Troops Battal-
so I’m glad it’s here,” Wilson said. headquarters. With that, Clark- ion.
“Yeah, the actual job is not easy, son urged the Soldiers in the yard
but being the first step of getting to be prepared for multiple visits “We are the second step in
the whole retrograde process here
on Kandahar Airfield. So we sort
through every little thing into like
items, then they go into process-
ing,” Bumbry said.
Here in Kandahar, the 18th
CSSB works hard to support the
resorting and retrograde of the
materials and supplies out of, and
around, Afghanistan, in order to
minimize loss of materials and to
lower the expenses. The Soldiers
in the yard have been working
long and hard hours to keep the
mission going.
“We push through just as
much as we physically can,” Wil-
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Phillips, the motor sergeant for HHC, 18th CSSB, explains the maintenance portion of the retrograde son said.
yard to the deputy commanding general of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command.
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13. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
Soldiers build logistics hub, call it home
Sgt. 1st Class Luis Saavedra
BALKH PROVINCE, Afghanistan – 10th Sus-
tainment Brigade’s Team Lightning completed the
construction of Logistics Support Area Lightning July
10 as one of the first steps in opening up the new
strategic logistics hub for Regional Command-North.
The team consisted of Soldiers from several
different units who came together to work on the
project. LSA Lightning is the first LSA constructed on
Camp Pratt, Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, and was Team Lightning Soldiers constructed a dining facility and various other
completed in less than 30 days. Enabling completion tents in June 2012. The Soldiers completed the Logistics Support Area
Lightning in 30 days in extreme heat and dusty conditions marking the
of the strategic logistics hub ahead of schedule, the first step in the completion of the new strategic logistics hub for Regional
LSA will provide billeting, showers, latrines, laundry, Command-North. (U.S. Army photo)
gym, and MWR facilities, as well as a dining facility.
feel of the LSA. They will now be able to live in the
Capt. Adam R. Christenson, Team Lightning’s area and continue to work on the site.
officer in charge, said that it’s amazing to see a group
of Soldiers come together as a team and take owner- “I have enough space and it is quiet out here,”
ship of a project. said Spc. Gretchen Sinclair, a food service specialist
assigned to 378th Combat Sustainment Support Bat-
“Team Lightning had a clear mission and the talion. “It’s cleaner, newer and there is less traffic.”
Soldiers moved with a purpose, taking pride in their
work and doing what others said couldn’t be done,” Christenson thanked the mechanics, cooks,
said Christenson. truck drivers, and signal Soldiers who made up Team
Lightning as well as the RC-North Southwest Expan-
Soldiers worked for more than three weeks in sion Area Operational Planning Team.
intense heat and dusty conditions. They conducted
24-hour operations to ensure the construction was “It was a real honor to work with Team Light-
completed as soon as possible. ning,” said Christenson.
Soldiers were proud to see that all their hard Everyone is welcome to stay at LSA Lightning.
work paid off. Some Soldiers were happy to be in a Soldiers moved in after the grand opening ceremony
place with new facilities. and the recognition of Soldiers from Team Lightning.
Spc. Tanya A. Christophe, a food service “This project is just another example of our
specialist assigned to 514th Support Maintenance executors accomplishing whatever mission is given to
Company, said she is proud of being a part of the them,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jose A. Castillo, 10th
team who built the LSA and is excited to be working Sustainment Brigade senior enlisted advisor. “Their
with new equipment in the dining facility. go hard, no fail attitude proves that this is the best
combat tested force in the world.”
Soldiers like the new billets and the overall
781st Soldiers tackle convoy missions
Sgt. Gregory Williams sustain the warfighter takes pre- “I take so much pride in
cedence over fear and hesitation. this job because I’m helping to
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, transport items that the Soldiers
Afghanistan – The roads of Af- The 781st TC transports out in the field need,” Spc. Daniel
ghanistan present many challeng- retrograde cargo from Kandahar Patterson, a truck driver, 781st
es, whether it’s driving through Airfield to various forward operat- TC, said. “People just look at us
a rocky mountainous terrain, a ing bases throughout Afghanistan. as truck drivers, but our missions
crowded intersection or looking are a necessity because nothing
for hidden improvised explosive On a recent mission to For- moves unless we move.”
devices by the roadside. ward Operating Base Walton, the
unit had to deliver Stryker parts The Soldiers of the 781st
For the Soldiers of the and multi-class items, which in TC feel that even though many of
781st Transportation Company out the eyes of the Soldiers is a mis- the missions conducted outside
of Ft. Deposit, Ala., the mission to sion critical.
See 781st, next page
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14. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
781st, from previous equipment is phenomenal.”
the wire are predominately in-
fantry and improvised explosive At FOB Walton, the Sol-
device related, truck drivers never diers worked fast and efficiently to
receive the attention that other unload and upload cargo making
military occupations get. their mission seem like another
day at the motor pool back home.
Staff Sgt. Joseph Ander-
son, a palletized load system truck “You have to watch out for
commander, 781st TC, said he’s your loads and make sure that
served in the U.S. Army for 39 Sgt. Anthony Hall, a truck driver, 781st Trans- you can handle it that’s the only
portation Company, ground guides a MaxxPro
years. Anderson has taken part in Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle into a
real hard part,” Anderson said.
the Vietnam War, Operation Iraqi holding yard on July 24, 2012 at Kandahar Air- “Once you’ve done all the training
Freedom and Operation Endur- field. The National Guard unit out of Ft. Deposit, all you have to make sure is that
Ala., transports cargo to various forward operat-
ing Freedom and has watched the ing bases in Southern Afghanistan. (U.S. Army you do whatever it takes to com-
battlefield evolution of what the photo by Sgt. Gregory Williams) plete the mission.”
Army calls a truck driver.
Anderson said. “These insurgents For the 781st TC it doesn’t
“In the last 39 years I’ve don’t fight with fear, but we’re matter if a Soldier has done mul-
seen it all, but the difference is always ready for the challenge and tiple tours or if they come from a
that we’re fighting an enemy who’s that has always made our Army military family, every time they
much more fierce and aggressive”, stronger.” leave Kandahar Airfield compla-
cency isn’t an option.
With that strength, the
781st TC has completed more than ”My grandfather was a
30 missions in the three months Marine and my uncle was in the
they’ve been on Kandahar Air- Navy, so being a part of the draw-
field, transporting everything from down process is a great duty,”
weapons to commodities, no mat- Patterson said. “My job is to help
ter how dangerous the routes. sustain other FOB’s, so Soldiers
depend on me to get their mission
“Honestly my first mission done, which I always have to focus
I was scared and my nerves were on being ready.”
A Palletized Load System unloads a container so far blown, but even though you
inside the Stryker yard at Forward Operating don’t know what to expect you The routes the Soldiers of
Base Walton on July 24th, 2012. The PLS vehicle
is a highly mobile system capable of transporting
have to do it,” Patterson said. “I the 781st TC travel will constantly
cargo through virtually any type of terrain. trust the vehicle I’m in and the change, but not the mission,
which is to sustain those in the
battlefield.
No matter the road or how
dangerous the path, the 781st TC
are the torches that light the way
to freedom.
Spc. Cornelius Johnson, a truck driver, 781st
Transportation Company, tightens the straps
on a palletized load on July 24, 2012 at Forward
Operating Base Walton. Johnson is a National
Soldiers with the 781st Transportation Company strap down cargo on July 24, 2012 at Forward Guardsmen with the 781st TC, which transports
Operating Base Walton. The 781st TC transports cargo between Kandahar Airfield and other FOB’s, cargo to various forward operating bases in
helping to sustain troops out in the field. Southern Afghanistan.
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15. Volume3 Sustainer August2012
July 4th around the world: Photos from Facebook
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