LOA learns lessons in logistics

Published Nov. 10, 2008
By 1st Lt. Thomas Durkin
386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing's Logistics Officer Association recently toured a prominent local port and naval base as part of the local LOA Professional Development program. The port is often referred to as the Seaport of Debarkation (SPOD) and is operated by the US Army's 1186th Transportation Terminal Brigade.

The port is critical to Operation Iraqi Freedom and regarded as the busiest military port in the world.

"While the operation of a sea port versus an air port is the basically the same, there are many different considerations and issues the sea port has to contend with," said Col. Herb Phillips, 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group commander. "Having our officers familiar with the other Services' logistics operations is a great broadening experience that will pay huge dividends."

The tour was led by Sgt. 1st Class January Rodriguez, SPOD Operations NCO in charge. It began with an operations brief by Lt. Col. Dale Rivers, 118th Transportation Terminal Brigade S3 Plans officer. Colonel Rivers provided insight into the busy nature of the brigade, touching on the crew loading capability. The brigade loads and unloads an average of 250,000 square feet of cargo, equivalent to almost 900 semi trucks.

Soldiers work regularly with a variety of vessels, carrying helicopters, Mine Resistant Ambush Protective (MRAP) Vehicles and containers. Summing up the importance of logistics, Colonel Rivers said, "Nothing happens until something moves" referring to the operation at the SPOD.

LOA participants were also briefed on vehicle staging and transportation. The SPOD operates the staging area for Air Force and Army MRAPs headed into Iraq. Before the MRAP yard tour concluded, the officers were given hands on experience with three different versions of these vehicles, and were given the opportunity to drive the military's newest armored vehicle.

Capt. Ben Wolf, Air Forces Central Command Depot Liaison engineer, said "Getting to see the MRAPs was remarkable. Having the opportunity to drive one and gain an understanding of what they bring to the warfighter is even better. I have a great appreciation for the effort it takes to move hundreds of them across the globe."

The day wrapped up with a tour of the U.S. Naval Ship Soderman, one of the Military Sealift Command's Light, Medium-Speed, Roll-On/Roll-Off (LMSR) ships, named for World War II Medal Of Honor recipient Pfc. William A. Soderman. Soldiers and contractors work together to ensure 100 percent accountability, processing all cargo loaded and unloaded from the vessel into the electronic Worldwide Port System database to ensure in-transit visibility of all assets.

This allows them to keep precise accounting and location data in the massive cargo yard ensuring a smooth flow to the various customers throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

The day was regarded as a valuable learning experience by everyone involved. It provided an in-depth understanding of the work that goes into supplying the front-line war fighters.

"In today's joint environment, this was a tremendous opportunity for Air Force logisticians to get exposure to Army port operations," said Maj. Richard Fletcher, the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron commander.

"Once again, it demonstrated that logistics is not just the tail, but the mouth of the tiger ... without it, the tiger does not eat!"