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Delivering diesel in a Danger Zone

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  • Delivering diesel in a Danger Zone

    i thought any of you logistic type people or drivers might be interested in this:

    Fuel is a premium asset to troops, especially when the battle tempo is high. Getting it delivered to the patrol bases in Nad 'Ali presents its own challenges.

    Sitting contentedly in the war room (what the Royal Irish Regiment call their central distribution point ops-come-welfare room) at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Shawqat in Nad 'Ali, Corporal David Bradshaw, one of the Royal Logistics Corps support tanker drivers, looks like a man at peace with the world. Which is perhaps odd for someone in the middle of a war zone.


    Corporal David Bradshaw in front of his tanker

    He is toasting himself by the woodburning stove that the armourer knocked up for his boss, Sergeant Major Mason. It's not exactly chestnuts roasting on an open fire, but burning a pallet or two can lend a much needed touch of home comfort when the Afghan winter begins to bite.

    The only problem is finding enough wood to keep it going:

    "The locals were a step ahead of us planning for the winter," said Sergeant Major Mason. "Whenever we chucked out any broken pallets, they'd mysteriously disappear. I know why now, they've been saving them up for the winter."

    Happily though, when it comes to planning the distribution of military provisions around the operational area, Sergeant Major Mason and his team are second-to-none:

    "We deliver everything, from pairs of ballistic underpants to Javelin missiles," said the Commanding Officer, Major Eamonn Coogan.

    As the distribution hub for the operational area, FOB Shawqat keeps its stores ticking over with regular provisions received from Camp Bastion. In addition, deliveries come in twice a month by 'Jinglies', the local Afghan trucks that are colourfully decorated and often festooned with chains, icons and bells - hence their nickname.

    "We'll join in with the EPLS convoy near the back going out with the Irish Guards loggies. The Royal Tank Regiment [The Tankies] will be providing escort protection, and we take a wrecker with us just in case we need hauling out of trouble," said Corporal Bradshaw.

    "We will probably be out for 11 or 12 hours, but in distance we will only cover about 20km. That's because we have to travel so slowly clearing the route and you have to add in the time it takes to offload."

    "One of the bases takes us 30 minutes to reverse into, it's such a small location," said Corporal Bradshaw. "Some we can't get into at all so we have to fill up their jerry cans outside.

    "It can be hairy. Last time we did get shot at, it was a quick shoot and scoot, but when you are sitting next to 7,000 litres of diesel it can make you think. But with all the guys protecting us, and good cover from the sangars, we can look after ourselves."

    read more here: www.mod.uk/delivering_diesel

    these guys are often the unsung heroes who keep the war machine turning - nice to see what they get upto.
    Last edited by RoyalGreenJacket; 16 March 2011, 03:48.
    RGJ

    ...Once a Rifleman - Always a Rifleman... Celer et Audax

    The Rifles

  • #2
    Well done the Loggies...
    "Well, stone me! We've had cocaine, bribery and Arsenal scoring two goals at home. But just when you thought there were truly no surprises left in football, Vinnie Jones turns out to be an international player!" (Jimmy Greaves)!"

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