 |
|
FORMER FLLA: The tri-Service
team previously deployed to the Force Level Logistic Asset (FLLA)
in the MEAO, including HQ FLLA XO SQNLDR Rebecca Boss (front
centre right).
Photo by CAPT Lachlan Simond |
|
DESPITE the short notice, SQNLDR Rebecca Boss relished her recent experience
of working in the enhanced logistics support framework in the MEAO before
returning home in late February.
Now posted to RAAF Base Amberley, she was XO of the HQ Force Level Logistic
Asset (FLLA) in the MEAO.
“A mixed bag of Army, Navy and Air Force skills sets were thrown
together to make up a team aimed at streamlining logistic processes for
Australian forces deployed to the Middle East,” SQNLDR Boss said.
“The team augmented the current FLLA organisations in the MEAO and
did an outstanding job over the first two months of their deployment.
“The bolstered logistic organisation, headed up by LTCOL Mick Ashleigh,
hit the ground running, with support and planning to VIP visits, ADF rotations
and the coordination of logistic support and distribution around the area
of operations.
“The other main role of the FLLA is to provide the necessary training
and acclimatisation to ADF personnel on arrival into the area of operations
to ensure that they are ready for the pressures of their deployment.”
FLLA experienced great changes in recent months as Australia’s commitment
to the reconstruction of Afghanistan grew with the insertion of the 1st
Reconstruction Task Force into Uruzgan Province, and more rotations move
to Over Watch Battle Group (West) in Iraq.
The decision to enhance the existing logistic support framework resulted
in the creation of an overarching logistic command for the Middle East.
This provided Australian operations with a strengthened capability to
coordinate logistic support of the numerous operations throughout the
MEAO.
CO of the newly-formed FLLA, LTCOL Ashleigh, was responsible for steering
the new organisation and integrating the existing FLLA elements into the
new command.
“The FLLA – MEAO is responsible for linking and enhancing disparate
logistic functions and taking an MEAO-wide view of all things logistic,”
LTCOL Ashleigh said.
Co-located with the FLLA establishment – which most Australians who
have served in the Middle East will have seen in transit – the CO
said his organisation’s success was based firmly on the high-quality
support structures he had inherited.
“The foundation established by previous FLLA operations was integral
to providing a solid platform from which to launch and establish our new
organisation in a rapid manner, without disrupting the continued provision
of directed support within the MEAO,” he said.
OC FLLA MAJ Matt Scanlon viewed the new command element as a significant
step towards enhancing extant and future logistic capabilities to support
the ADF’s diverse range of regional deployments.
“With the establishment of the FLLA – MEAO, there is a clear
delineation of our roles and responsibilities,” MAJ Scanlon said.
“This growth will help us deliver better levels of support to our
dependants, the ADF units operating across the region.”
|
