Supplying Baghdad

Pole position: Cpl Matt Bunt, FLLA-B, cleans off a weld to a flag pole bracket he is making. Photo by Cpl Cameron Jamieson

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson

IT’S possibly the smallest ADF distribution point of all, but it has maximum impact on the operational troops it supports.

The Force Level Logistic Asset - Baghdad (FLLA-B) is the ADF’s Iraq-based triservice logistic element.

Located at Camp Victory, a major coalition base adjacent to Baghdad International Airport, the FLLA-B provides a range of services including the movement of personnel and stores, preventive medicine, ammunition, tradesmen and postal support.

Their Baghdad customers include Secdet, HQ JTF633 and personnel embedded into Coalition and Iraqi Security Force headquarters.

They also supported the AATT-I (3) and the medical staff and air traffic controllers at Balad.

FLLA-B OC Leut John Mitchell, RAN, said the biggest challenge for the FLLA-B was supporting the high rotation of people into and out of Iraq for both their deployment and out-of-theatre leave.

“We’re a very small group, and the people here have to do much more than they’re core skills,” Leut Mitchell said.

“There are many ancillary tasks, like driving tasks and support to VIP visits, so if one area is struggling from the workload, the others will chip in and help.”

For many people the chance to deploy on an operation makes a welcome change from their normal duties in Australia. In the case of Army fitter-armourer Cpl Matt Blunt it has also been a chance to brush-up on old skills.

“Over here I repair weapons ranging from the 9mm pistol up to the 25mm chain gun on the ASLAV,” he said.

“I also get to turn my hand to making a range of items, such as flagpoles, steel racks and air-conditioning mounts.

“It’s something I don’t do much of in Australia, so it’s been excellent to be able to get my hands on the tools and use my basic metal fabrication trade skills.”

FLLA-B members deploy for six-month tours, and their ability to successfully do their jobs can be greatly influenced by the work of their predecessors.

Sgt Rod Collis, a RAAF Air Movements specialist, is enjoying a good relationship with his coalition counterparts for just such a reason.

“I coordinate the movement of our personnel by air, including the booking of relief out of country leave,” he said.

“It requires me to liaise often with our coalition partners. I think the good relationship we have with them has a lot to do with the people who came before me, and I’m grateful for their hard work.”