Supply Soldiers in Afghanistan Keep Troops Moving (VIDEO)

Being multi-faceted is a trademark in the Oregon National Guard, skills come quickly to soldiers who are assigned to new roles. This report from Afghanistan is being released for the first time.

Richard Trube of Salem answers a soldier's question about supply at Camp Phoenix in Afghanistan. Photos and video by: Tim King

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - While some Oregonians in Afghanistan go into combat, others, like Sergeant First Class Richard Trube of Salem, Oregon provide the support that it takes to keep those soldiers on the move.

Sgt. 1st Class Richard Trube

These unsung heroes make sure people eat, stay warm in the winter and cool on hot days. Supply lines ensure the success of missions by providing the constant flow of equipment and goods.

As supply troops at Camp Phoenix in Kabul Afghanistan, these individuals serve multiple roles. Supply is the main emphasis, but not the only thing they do, says Trube.

"I don't get outside the wire that much, simple missions going tO Bath and back, I am also a pay agent and I do humanitarian missions.

But supply duties are constant and demand most of their time.

Trube has been learning all kinds of new skills while deployed at war in the Oregon Guard.

"These commodities help continue with the fight, without the paperwork, without the tools, all these tools here have functions and allow us to continue on with the fight."

The supply role is something that is taken seriously; people strongly count on the group and much of the overall mission's success hinges on their abilities to maintain sufficient amounts, and deliver on time.

Trubee and many of those here have no background in supply, for some, it is all on the job training according to Captain Danielle Delint of the Oregon Guard, "So this is their opportunity to really work in a warehouse environment which they never had before, so I think when they get back to the civilian world they can get a better paying job or have better skills to list on their resume."

Sgt. 1st Class Debbie Moore says keeping up on all the demands is multi-faceted, "You have to figure out how much everybody uses and keep enough on the shelf to support them on a monthly basis, doing demand analysis to make sure that our shelves aren't empty."

Some people on the supply side of Camp Phoenix are finding new talents, while others are operating in higher positions than expected. In a war theatre the person with the most knowledge tends to call the shots.

People like Sgt. Caterina Luna of Portland, Oregon.

"Everybody's been rotated and Sgt. Trube's come to work with us and I'm just an e-5, and I'm finding myself running this place and I'm training him, an e-7, so we're finding ourselves doing what we have to do."

But Richard Trube like many others, is learning the ropes fast and he brought other talents into the mix that are already moving things along in a better way.

Lt. Jerry Julao of the U.S. Navy works with Trube and the others in the supply warehouse. "He's done remarkable things inside the warehouse, all the improvements he has made to the warehouse have been really beneficial to the unit."

They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but people in today's Army like Richard Trube are proving that old adage to be out of date, and as he masters new technology, his skills further demonstrate the usefulness of National Guard troops at war.

Richard Trubee serves with Oregon's 41st Combat Brigade at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan. Most of his fellow soldiers are currently in the process of returning home or are home already.

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Hi,
Can i get a one small photo from your site?
Pett

Editor: That will probably be fine, can you please send me an email so I know which one it is? tim@salem-news.com

Hi everyone! :D Im new to salem-news.com. Hope I can be a regular here!

Very useful and informative article! Thanks the author!

Thank you. I read herelots of valuable sentences. Greetings from Poland.

Give the reference on rss the channel please

Depression Depression Depression aaaaaaaa HEEEEELP :( :( :( I hate winter! I want summer!

well from what understand someone had too much booze and did something they shouldnt have. the intent is for all to come back to their home w/out getting stupid, hurting themselves or others.. troopies and booze can be a hazard,, especially after being dry for 15 months.

Someone should investigate the treatment our Oregon Guardsman are getting at Ft. Carson, CO RIGHT NOW! They are there to demobilize (physicals, pay, etc.), but are being treated like POWs. Locked down behind wire fences, etc. someone needs to look into this ASAP! It's disgraceful!

It's nice to see a story about the behind-the-scenes soldiers! They all work very hard over there.

Sgt. King: I was thinking of taking command of O.P.S.E. Asia regional H.Q. and think a supply depot is a good idea here., so your invited to jump onboard the first thing smokin' outa there and come on over with a load of pancho liners and C-rats, (B-1 units), a mule w/a 106 and rounds.,(one should be prepared to defend one's perimeter), and if the general manager of S-N .com would be so kind as to accompany you to conduct the on site interviews and other supervisory tasks, that would be expeditiously sustainable. O out.

I'm back in Oregon right now, this is a report that I wasn't able to get through when I was still in country. I wanted people to see it and not have it sit in a file forever. Thanks!

Hey Sgt King, isnt time yet to get on the plane and come home?

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