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Staff sections play important role in battalion's mission
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By Spc. Ashley Moen Headquarters Company, 141st Engineer Combat Battalion FOB SPEICHER, Iraq (10/12/2004) — While 141st Engineer Combat Battalion line companies, Alpha, Bravo and Charlie, are out on the road carrying out Task Force Trailblazer, the battalion headquarters conducts an important support role in the mission’s success. All Soldiers are busy employing a wide range of skills in numerous sections. Headquarters is comprised of staff sections servicing administrative support, intelligence and operations, supply and logistical issues and communications issues. For instance, the S-1 (personnel) section is occupied doing administrative actions. This section works hard to maintain accountability of all soldiers, pay issues, medical documentation, award recipients and transportation for soldiers for R&R; (Rest and Recuperation) leave with all travel plans. The S-1 section also is responsible for maintaining mail pick up and distribution on a daily basis, as well as staffing the phone and Internet rooms in the battalion’s morale, welfare and recreation building on FOB Speicher. The S-2 (intelligence) and S-3 (operations) section work the logistics required to hold together the tactical operations center (TOC) for the battalion. The TOC is the center command station for all actions. While maintaining current operations, they also plan future training operations, such as training exercises, weapons qualifications, combat lifesaver training and others. The TOC operates 24 hours a day. All radio traffic and messages come through an RTO (radio transmission operator) in the TOC. Soldiers working in the S-4 (logistics) section ensure that all classes of supply are ordered and received, as well as maintain stock levels for the battalion. They also are busy tracking all pieces of equipment within the battalion, as well as the equipment’s status. Tracking CONEX containers and all items in storage is a very important part of deployment and redeployment that is followed by these Soldiers. Other items closely managed by the S-4 include ammunition, demolitions and lumber. Sgt. 1st Class Dan McGough, Valley City, of the S-4 section, says, “I get satisfaction in my position when I hear that items we helped get for Soldiers have made it more comfortable and safer for them to complete their mission.” Communication and radio difficulties are tended to by the S-6 (communications) section. S-6 Soldiers are attached out to all companies, working individually to support their respective company with any technical problems in times of need. Communications Soldiers have had the opportunity to learn the new Segovia system, which is the power source behind a majority of the Internet and phone usage here in Iraq. “I enjoy my job very much. I have great satisfaction in being able to communicate with everyone and feel very lucky,” said Sgt. 1st Class Darrell Berg, Valley City, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the S-6 section. Last 10 Stories |
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2004 National Guard Bureau |
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