Marines Ensure Responsible Retrograde of Gear and Equipment in Iraq

Strategic Insights -

As the Marine Corps' mission in Iraq comes to an end, a detachment of Marines from 2nd Maintenance Battalion has remained in the country to leverage their supply and redistribution capabilities. The detachment, led by Major Edwin Norris, is working hand-in-hand with Marine Corps Logistics Command (Forward) to ensure the proper disposition of all Marine Corps assets still found throughout the operating environment. Their mission is crucial in responsible retrograde, transferring supplies and gear to units in Afghanistan or back to the states for repair and redistribution.

Key Takeaways:

  • The detachment of Marines from 2nd Maintenance Battalion has processed and shipped approximately 475 20-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU) of materials since arriving at Al Asad, with approximately 135 TEUs left to redistribute to various locations.
  • The detachment provides general supply capabilities to units within MNF-W, ranging from purchasing supplies to preparing shipments for the flight line.
  • The Marines work 10 to 11-hour days to get everything moved in a timely fashion, with a focus on sending a message that they have been responsible tenants while residing on Iraqi soil.
  • The process involves multiple sections, including Operations, Procurement Management Cell, Packing, Packaging and Preservation, and Marine Air-Ground Task Force Materiel Distribution Center (MMDC).
  • Effective communication is crucial among these sections to ensure a requisition is properly placed, sourced, receipted for, and distributed to the customer.
  • The Customer Service section is the face of the detachment, liaising with individual units to ensure they know how to acquire supplies through the detachment.
  • The Marines are working hard to ensure the mission is complete by the given date, with officers and staff non-commissioned officers developing plans and refining those plans on a daily basis.
  • The mission is important because it involves more than just getting supplies and equipment redistributed; it is about responsibly downsizing matteriel and leaving a legacy that demonstrates the Marines have been responsible tenants on Iraqi soil.
  • Junior Marines, such as Lance Cpl. Ryson Nakaahiki, are enthusiastic about their contributions to the responsible drawdown of troops and equipment from Iraq, feeling proud to be a part of this process.

Statistics:

  • 475 20-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU) of materials processed and shipped since arriving at Al Asad.
  • 135 TEUs left to redistribute to various locations.
  • The detachment works 10 to 11-hour days to get everything moved in a timely fashion.
  • The process involves multiple sections, including Operations, Procurement Management Cell, Packing, Packaging and Preservation, and Marine Air-Ground Task Force Materiel Distribution Center (MMDC).

Sources:

  • Lance Cpl. Melissa A. Latty, Combat Logistics Regiment 27 (FWD)
  • Major Edwin Norris, Detachment Commander
  • Master Sgt. Roderick Barrett, Staff Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge
  • Lance Cpl. Ryson Nakaahiki, Traffic Management Office Clerk with Det. B