HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- Combat Logistics Battalion 4 worked to retrograde equipment and supplies from Patrol Base Habib in CLB-4’s most recent effort to support the realignment of forces here May 1 through May 6.
Whether it is engineering operations, maintaining vehicles, supplying units, or identifying excess equipment, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Fwd) Marines and sailors get the mission accomplished.
CLB-4, part of 1st MLG, is currently deployed to ensure Marines and sailors in the northern portion of Helmand province are well equipped while they remove equipment no longer in use.
“(Combat Logistics Battalion 4) is serving as the distribution arm of the MLG,” said Lt. Col. Adam L. Chalkley, commanding officer, of CLB-4. “Inherent in that is the transport of supplies and equipment from outlying (Forward Operating Bases) to (Camp Leatherneck).”
With coalition troops beginning to draw down in the region, realigning Marine Corps forces is an important step toward meeting the security goals in Afghanistan.
“It has been challenging to balance reposturing our forces with conducting ongoing counterinsurgency operations and the transition to a security advisory role, but the Marine Corps has been incredibly aggressive in meeting goals for reposturing,” said Chalkley.
Moving forces out of a patrol base or forward operating base is a complicated process that requires a significant amount of coordination, cooperation and planning between the involved units, said Staff Sgt. Charles E. Weatherly, a platoon sergeant with CLB-4.
“The PB Habib mission was to pull out (2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment) assets from that area,” said Staff Sgt. Charles E. Weatherly, a platoon sergeant with CLB-4. “We also delivered (supplies) to Forward Operating Base Edinburgh and Combat Outpost Shir Ghazay during the (combat logistics patrol).”
CLB-4 provided the heavy and medium-lift capability to the equation, paving the way for final withdrawal preparations and the departure of 2nd Bn., 5th Marines, said 1st Lt. Margaret S. Adams, executive officer of Company A, CLB-4.
“Our role in this capacity (as the distribution arm) allows the maneuver elements of Regimental Combat Team 6 to continue to focus on counterinsurgency and security operations in cooperation with Afghan National Security Assistance Forces,” said Chalkley.
According to Chalkley, CLB-4 will continue to facilitate the new posture of RCT-6 as 1st MLG (Fwd) and other Marine Corps forces draw down in the coming year.
“All of the units are going to have to support each other as we reposture our forces and prepare for the withdrawal of Marines,” said 1st Lt. Benjamin J. Gutek, a platoon commander with CLB-4.