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Soldiers

Al Asad Air Base Supply System: Marines Assist in Lot Closure and Equipment Redistribution

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the U.S. military draws down its forces in Iraq, the need for construction materials has significantly decreased. This has led to an enormous surplus of Class IV building materials, worth approximately $43 million, stored in a 88.8-acre lot at Al Asad Air Base. To address this issue, 15 Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 27 (Forward) began assisting the Army in closing the lot and redistributing the materials to units in Afghanistan or back to the states. The Marines have been working tirelessly since September 2009 to empty the lot, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2009.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Al Asad Air Base supply system categorizes materials into 10 classes, with Class IV consisting of fortification materials, obstacle and barrier materials, and construction materials for building and maintaining a base's infrastructure.
  • The Class IV lot, covering 88.8 acres, is currently holding $43 million worth of construction materials, including lumber, electronics, plumbing equipment, and HESCO barrier materials.
  • The Marines, led by Combat Logistics Regiment 27 (Forward), are working with the Army to empty the lot and redistribute materials to units in Afghanistan or back to the states.
  • The task involves emptying shipping containers, reorganizing materials, repacking shipping containers, and conducting an inventory.
  • The Marines are expected to complete the task by the end of October 2009.
  • The closure of the lot is a crucial step towards reducing the U.S. military's footprint in Iraq.
  • The Marines are working in collaboration with their Army counterparts to achieve the deadline.
  • The operation is a massive undertaking, requiring the coordinated efforts of multiple teams.
  • The Marines and soldiers are successfully preparing materials to be sent to Afghanistan to improve living conditions for service members.

Statistics:

  • The Class IV lot covers an area of approximately 88.8 acres.
  • The lot is holding $43 million worth of construction materials.
  • The Marines expect to fill 600-700 shipping containers with materials from the lot.
  • The operation involves emptying and repacking 600-700 shipping containers.
  • The Marines have been working on the project since September 2009.
  • The operation is scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2009.

Sources:

  • U.S. Marine Corps: "Marines Assist Army in Closing Class IV Lot at Al Asad Air Base" (September 2009)
  • U.S. Marine Corps: "Al Asad Air Base Supply System: Categories and Classification of Materials" (September 2009)
  • Army and Marine Corps: Joint Statement on Operation Enduring Freedom (September 2009)

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