The force behind the force

By Corporal 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 tri-Service logistic element. Located in Camp Victory, the 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 the Security Detachment, HQ JTF633 and personnel embedded into Coalition and Iraqi Security Force headquarters, and north of Baghdad they support the Australian Army Training Team at Taji and the medical staff and air traffic controllers.

FLLA-B OC Navy Lieutenant John Mitchell said the biggest challenge for the FLLA-B was supporting the high rotation of people into and out of Iraq for deployments and out-of-theatre leave.

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

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

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. Air Force air movements specialist Sergeant Rod Collis 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.

We have a very good relationship with them, and when we need to move our people on their aircraft, we don’t seem to have any major problems. The same goes for getting them onto our aircraft. I think the good relationship has a lot to do with the people who came before me, and I’m grateful.”

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