Supporting many with few; 57 Soldiers support Task Force of thousands


Soldiers in the transportation section of the 834 FLE track unit movements within TF 449. The 57 Soldiers of 834 FLE play the role of a support battalion which provides aviation and ground maintenance, supplies and equipment and ensures the TF 449’s needs are met. (Courtesy photo)

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq - The average aviation task force, made up of several units and a brigade headquarters, would normally have an aviation support battalion. This support battalion would see to their aviation and ground maintenance, supplies and equipment and ensure the task force’s needs were met.

Task Force 449, however, receives its support from just 57 Soldiers, who take on a job intended for hundreds.

The 834 Forward Logistics Element is a part of the 834 Aviation Support Battalion, a Minnesota Army National Guard unit out of St. Paul, Minn. The unit is made up of eight sections, each with a necessary and important job.

“We support the Task Force in every way possible, with whatever they need,” says Maj. Beth I. Schaefbauer, 834 FLE support operations officer, and resident of Minneapolis, Minn.

The support operations section is a large one whose Soldiers manage transportation, both air and ground, for equipment pick-up, deployments and redeployments. They are also responsible for ammunition, fuel and mortuary affairs.

The 834 FLE has medics who work with other units at the flight line troop medical clinic; and ground maintainers who provide maintenance and mechanical work for TF 449 Headquarters Company’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles and Light Medium Tactical Vehicles.

Rrecoverables managers in the 834 FLE ensure all defective equipment is properly turned in for repair and reuse. They make the most of the equipment in the units and prevent stock-piling. The recoverables managers also ensure parts are distributed evenly throughout the battalions.

The 834 FLE supply support activity, which houses parts and equipment, serves as a distribution center where both air and ground parts are stored, shipped and received.

Suppliers are able to communicate with supply systems and networks through the work of the Combat Services Support Automations Maintenance Office. They maintain connectivity with the networks to ensure that the proper communications are available for those managing the supplies needed to keep the missions going.

Sgt. 1st Class Jerry M. Skaaren, 834 FLE maintenance manager, is in charge of the TF 449’s motor pools and for dispensing information about the vehicles, such as maintenance requirements.

“I basically make sure all of the vehicles in the Task Force are up and running,” says Skaaren. “If something is wrong within my motor pools or in a subordinate unit’s motor pool, we have to make sure that issue is addressed and the mission is not hindered in any way.”

One of the unique sections of the 834 FLE is the aircraft on the ground section.

“The AOG is like the FedEx of supply,” says Capt. Karen S. Craig, 834 FLE deputy support operations officer. “They go above and beyond normal shipment methods to ensure an aircraft that is on the ground for unscheduled maintenance gets the parts it needs prior to interfering with the completion of the mission.”
In addition to the supply and maintenance support, the 834 FLE also provides the Joint Network-Node Network, a satellite communications network that serves as a backup in case traditional communication avenues were to fail.

“They set up the satellite and continuously monitor its effectiveness,” says Craig, a Minneapolis native.  “They are also equipped to set up communications in the event that a unit moves and is in an area that has not yet been equipped with traditional communications or does not have the ability to be equipped.”

Be it supply, communications or transportation, the 57 Soldiers of the 834 FLE effectively manage and support a task force of approximately 1,300 Soldiers with all of their support needs.

Tuesday, 20 January 2009
By Pfc. Jasmine N. Walthall

Soldiers in the transportation section of the 834 FLE track unit movements within TF 449. The 57 Soldiers of 834 FLE play the role of a support battalion which provides aviation and ground maintenance, supplies and equipment and ensures the TF 449’s needs are met. (Courtesy photo)