Stryker Brigade News

Since the transition, the BSB has completed more than 135 combat logistics patrols (CLP), issued more than 2,200 tons of ammunition, performed several equipment recovery operations — including one downed aircraft — and completed more than 200 maintenance jobs to keep the brigade’s Stryker vehicles operating.

“These accomplishments are an example of the amount of training our junior leaders conducted and evaluated back in Alaska,” said BSB Command Sgt. Maj. Dean Phillips.

The combat logistics patrols are high adventure operations conducted to distribute supplies and ammunition to the multiple forward operating bases in Iraq.

Each patrol is a stressful, heart-pounding event for the Opaheys. Most of the CLPs are intermixed with Stryker vehicles from other 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team battalions, which serve as additional security escorts.

Some are solely executed by the BSB with vehicles and Soldiers from the Distribution Company. The drivers on these convoys take control of the road as they speed through the city and cross back and forth over the median strips.

It is a fine balance between safely operating the enormous tactical vehicles and keeping the momentum moving fast enough to prevent enemy disruption. The tenacity and awareness of these young Soldiers is so precise, it is hard not to confuse them with seasoned veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

One of those veterans, Staff Sgt. Jared Matthews of Distribution Company, is on his second tour to OIF.

“The escalation of force on these convoys can occur within seconds along the routes in the city” Matthews said. “Then you turn on an unimproved country road and everything is head on. Warning shots are sometimes the only way to get the attention of the oncoming traffic that gets too close.

“Moving oncoming vehicles off the road is the best way to avoid vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices,” he said.

Often riding in the lead vehicle on most convoys, Matthews said the terrain varies from three feet of powdery dust to a rock hard surface that makes for a teeth-jarring experience.

“Soldiers often bounce around inside the cab, feeling like they just played full- contact football without pads,” he said.

Matthews’ experience proved to be a valuable asset during a CLP in October as he detected two 122mm artillery rounds rigged as an improvised explosive device along the route to a remote combat outpost.

He quickly took control and maneuvered the convoy around the danger. His actions prevented the possible destruction of equipment and injury to the Soldiers in his convoy.

The Forward Maintenance Company of the BSB is also a key asset to the brigade as their Soldiers often work directly with infantrymen, frequently joining them on raids to keep vehicles rolling after mechanical failures or battle damage.

These mechanics bring battle damage assessment and repair kits on patrols, raids and cordon searches to quickly execute field expedient repairs to prevent interrupted operations for the infantry, field artillery and cavalry units within the 172nd SBCT.

These Soldiers know the risks they take with each mission, but are eager to get their unique skills into the fight.

The HQ Company of the 172nd BSB has sent Soldiers out to a remote U.S. combat outpost near the Syrian border to train the Iraqi Army on food preparation.

Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Summerville and a team of BSB Soldiers trained Iraqis on logistics with a heavy focus on food preparation and field sanitation.

Summerville, Pfc. Juan Childs and Sgt. Vernon Bell taught the Iraqi soldiers how to prepare food and maintain the new equipment in only three days.

Normally this type of training takes weeks, but the Iraqis were eager to learn.