Loggies welcomed

Palletised: Cpl Nathan Alcock and Pte Andrew Malone inspect the cargo netting on a pallet of water at Ali Air Base. Pte Malone said he appreciated the help he got from his US counterparts. Photo by Cpl Cameron Jamieson

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson

A SMALL band of Australian logistics personnel have moved into a massive coalition airbase near An Nasariyah.

The AMTG’s Logistic Detachment has been established at Ali Air Base, which, along with the adjacent Camp, is home to about 9000 coalition troops.

OC of the 14-member logistic detachment, Capt Doug Te Wake, said the Americans and Italians soldiers were now “even using our own slang on us when we talk with them”.

The warm welcome was also extended to helping the Australians get their terminal operations functioning, which allowed the diggers to swing straight into action.

“The US Air Force personnel were very accommodating,” Capt Te Wake said.

“They’ve bent over backwards to give us our work area and set up our accommodation, and that’s been a very rewarding thing to see.”

Freight terminal operations specialist Pte Andrew Malone, of 30 Term Sqn, also appreciates the help from his US counterparts.

“I’ve been working closely with their air terminal operators and they are very helpful,” he said.

“It’s just a matter of asking and they do it. And they’re quick to lend us a vehicle when we need it.”

The logistic team is coordinating the movement of troops and supplies from the airbase to the task group’s base at Camp Smitty, near the Al Muthanna provincial town of As Samawah.

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