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Force protection, logistics key for 101st in Afghanistan

by Staff Sgt. Alberto Betancourt

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Jan. 31, 2002) -- Force protection, the security of Kandahar International Airfield and logistics are the primary goals for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Afghanistan.

"This airfield is extremely important," said Col. Frank Wiercinski, Task Force Rakkasans' (3rd BCT) commander. "It brings in continued Air Force supply and re-supply. Holding this airfield and ensuring everyone here is safe and secure is my primary job right now."

Wiercinski said the transfer of authority between the Marines and the Rakkasans went very smooth. However, he said a relief in place is a very dangerous time because of the transfer of command and control from one unit to another.

"We've been very systematic and extremely sequential in the transfer of authority," he said. "We are in a combat zone where inefficiency can become extremely dangerous."

Getting the troops and logistics half way around the world has been a challenge. Yet, Wiercinski said so far things have gone seamless.

"Our resources are perfect for this mission," he said. "We have the right amount of equipment with the right amount of soldiers. If I need anything else - I know it will get here because I've already asked and they've arrived."

The giant task of supporting the 3rd BCT falls under the 626th Forward Support Battalion, Fort Campbell, Ky. - a mission the unit is accustomed to.

"Whether in garrison, in the field or deployed, we're an integral part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team," said Lt. Col. Thomas Pirozzi, commander, 626 FSB. "We train with them everyday."

Pirozzi's soldiers normally work 18 hours a day keeping the airport's runway clear while downloading supplies from incoming Air Mobility Command's C-17s and then distributing the supplies among the different units inside the compound.

"I can have twice as many forklifts and still not have enough," he said. "This piece of equipment (forklift) is integral in getting as much supplies on the ground to complete the mission."

Currently there is a constant flow of food, water, ammunition, barrier material and medication into the airfield. Pirozzi also intends to have laundry services and hot meals for the soldiers in the near future.

(Editor's note: Staff Sgt. Ablerto Betancourt is a writer for Soldiers Magazine who just returned from a week in Afghanistan.)