Saturday, January 16, 2010

Slowly but surely building-up Bagram

By SPC Nicolas Hurt


BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN – They are tight, low to the ground, squeaky, stiff and if you’re vertically gifted, you don’t fit. I’m speaking of those dark green, one size doesn’t fit all, cots of course. Some soldiers from the 82nd Sustainment Brigade (SBDE) may have been fortunate enough to avoid the cots but many were not. Since boots on the ground in Afghanistan, there have been many unseen changes going on with the living areas. Since most of us don’t like sleeping on the cots, hard at work to make it a little more comfortable and roomy in the b-huts, has been Pvt. 1st Class Michael T. Wood II.

Wood is responsible for building bunk beds for all the soldiers who are not already on one. “I want to bring up the morale of my fellow soldier by enhancing their living areas,” said Wood. He is one of the 82nd SBDE Repair and Utility team members. The section also includes Sgt. Ellsworth Cupid, Sgt. Lloyd Kagle, Sgt. Christopher Broadway, Spc. Xavier Halliburton, Spc. Manuel Pena, and Spc. Carlos Gonzalez. All of which have their own specialty.

Alarm clocks are going off, cots are squeaking, reading lamps are clicking on and off and Wood’s day begins as he wakes up, attends sectional physical training or “goes out on a good old fashioned snot slinger” Wood exclaims, about running in the cold dusty Bagram air. At work-call, Wood receives his directions from 1st Sgt. Lewis Stanley and immediately begins to execute the work day.

His work day, consisting of a lot of carpentry, work orders and building not only the bunks but shelves, door stops, door frames and anything within his capabilities to better the conditions for his fellow bunk-mates and soldiers. The gears of the drill winding down are nearly drowned out by the squeak of the brake pads on Disney as yet another bunk bed is completed. Wood finds time for a quick lunch in his day and jumps right back into his efforts “I’m out here till the sun goes down,” Woods says. As the daylight draws to an end the tally is now at 11 full sets for the day, tonight 22 troopers will be off the cots and on a bed.

Profiles in Courage: Pfc. Noah Clark

By: SFC Jason Allgood


BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN -- As the Soldiers of the 82nd Sustainment Brigade begin to settle in on their new assignment, they all have one thing in common the Afghan “crud”. What is it? Why does everyone have or is getting it? These are some of the great mysteries of the world, what is for certain is when it’s your turn; you will be taken care of.

Pfc. Noah Clark sits in the troop medical clinic (TMC) just before sick call begins; it’s 7:45 in the morning and if the past few days are any indication it could be a long day.

Clark is new to the Army having been in the service for less than a year and is already on his first deployment; joining in February of 2009 the 23 year old the Fairfield California native was off to Basic Combat training at Fort Jackson SC and then Fort Sam Houston, TX and the Combat Medic Course. Arriving to the 82nd SBDE medical section shortly before deploying this married father of two has already spent almost a year away from his family but he knew this was coming. “I was expecting it, a Soldier Deploys, does his job and comes home.” Explains Clark.

The door opens, a patient enters he’s coughing and looking tired. Clark slides on the blood pressure arm band and places a thermometer in their mouth and sits back. It’s the “crud” body aches, slight fever, sore throat, tired, coughing, you name it. In a way this is the fulfillment of a dream for Clark. “I’m looking forward to the bread and butter of my job, I want to fight and heal all within close proximity” Clark says.

“I joined the Army for the people who came before me and those who are serving with me… I wanted the stability the Army offers, I wanted to travel the world, I wanted my schools paid for and I wanted to be something special, I really wanted was to be a Soldier.” Clark expounds.


With a sharp pop, Clark pulls the rubber gloves off his hands. The patient puts his ACU top back on and Clark reminds him to wash his hands often, drink plenty of water, eat regularly and exercise. As another patient gets his medicine Pfc. Noah Cark continues his quest to defeat the Afghan “crud” and heal his fellow soldier. “It’s the greatest job there is, no where else could I do this, serve my country and my comrades”

Mourning Staff Sgt. Anton R. Phillips

By MC1 Krishna Jackson

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – As the morning sun warmed the chill in the air around Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, Soldiers gathered together to remember a fallen brother in arms. A memorial in honor of Army Staff Sgt. Anton R. Phillips was held Jan. 3 so those who served with him could say goodbye.



The 31 year old Los Angeles native started his career in June 1998 as a 63H Track Vehicle Repair Mechanic. Since October 2003, he had been assigned to 5th Maintenance Company (MC) out of Kaiserslautern, Germany. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan but the third deployment during his career including a tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While serving with 5th MC, Phillips won the hearts of his leadership, peers and his Soldiers.

“Phillips took care of his Soldiers like family. He rallied them to do their jobs to the best of their ability and he lead by example,” said Capt. Alexis Jackson, 82nd Combined Logistics Team OIC who also served with Phillips as the 5th MC executive officer.

More than 200 Soldiers came to pay their respects to Phillips and leave behind a little piece of themselves at the foot of his memorial stand, a ceremonial display where his helmet, rifle, boots and dog tags were assembled in his honor. Many touched his boots or tags as they remembered how he had touched their lives.

“SGT Phillips was beyond reliable. We constantly gave him tough assignments and he always managed to get them done in time. More importantly, though, he earned the respect of his Soldiers. He was more than just a team leader, he was a friend and his door was always open to anyone, day or night. He will be dearly missed,” said 1st Lt. Craig A. Long, 5th MC platoon leader.

During his time in service, Phillips earned two Army Commendation medals, six Army Achievement medals, multiple Army Good Conduct medals, the National Defense Service medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, the Global War on Terrorism medal, the Army Service ribbon, the Overseas Service ribbon, the NATO medal, Afghanistan Campaign medal, Army Vehicle Drive Badge and the Mechanics Badge.

Born Jan. 12, 1978, Phillips is survived by his three daughters Lexus 13, Antoneth 8 and Alina 5.

Monday, January 4, 2010

82nd SB takes the reigns in Afghanistan

A transfer of authority ceremony took place Dec. 31 between the 45th Sustainment Brigade (SBDE) and the 82nd Sustainment Brigade.


Sustainment brigades provide logistics support world-wide. The 82nd SBDE, out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina is the next in a long line of Sustainment BDEs to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

82nd SBDE Commander, Army Col. John E. “Skip” O’Neil, a Massachusetts native, will oversee the mission and operations of the brigade during the year long deployment.

During the ceremony, O’Neil spoke highly of his counter parts from 45th SBDE.

“They [45th SBDE] recognized that the logistician’s job wasn’t done till the canteen was full, the trooper had a hot meal, the round was chambered, the vehicles repaired and filled with fuel. They accomplished all of this with quiet professionalism, that’s the miracle of logistics at the freedoms frontier today,” said O’Neil.

While supporting OEF, 45th SBDE carried a heavy load, which was recognized by Brig. Gen. Reynold N. Hoover, commander of the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

“I would first like to thank you for your service and outstanding efforts accomplishing a truly expeditionary Sustainment mission. You already heard the numbers some bear repeating. Three thousand eight hundred and eighty five aerial delivery missions, dispersing over 20-million pounds of supplies, 855-thousand convoy miles across insurgent terrain and 500 combat operations. These accomplishments and all that you’ve done to sustain the force will be examined and studied by military historians, logistician and leaders for years to come,” said Hoover during the ceremony.

Hoover expressed his utmost confidence in 82nd SBDE to carry on the mission. “To Col. O’Neil and the 82 SDBE, today marks the next chapter in America’s history in Afghanistan. As Gen. McKrystal has said, it’s a turning point in our efforts to begin to surge 30,000 more troops into Afghanistan. I’m confident that you and Task Force Provider [82nd SBDE] are ready and trained to pick up the fight and improve the foxhole and continue to sustain freedom tonight,” said Hoover.

As 45th SBDE stood in formation, their mission complete in Afghanistan, O’Neil was ready to move forward. “the 82nd Sustainment Brigade humbly accepts command of more than 3,500 troops, 28 units from 19 states across the Army active National Guard and reserve components including teammates from the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps as well as civilians and contractors all forming a seamless team in support of the combined team as we bid fair well to the lighting brigade [45th SBDE],” said O’Neil.

This is the first deployment of the 82nd SBDE’s headquarters as a stand-alone brigade. They will be supporting the additional 30,000 U.S. troops deploying to Afghanistan during the coming months.


By SPC Nicolas Hurt