LOG DAWGLOG DAWG

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December, 2013

Operation Enduring Freedom

Medical Logistics Warehouse

Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

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LOGDAWGS!

Commander’s Foreword

1SG’s Troop Highlights

HQ, Hellhounds!

2nd Platoon, WarDawgs!

3rd Platoon, Hammer!

Transfer of Authority

The Rest of the Team, Our Contractors!

Meet our Deployed Higher HQ

Deployment Memories (Photos)

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Log Dawgs and Family Members,

It has only been a few months since we were together,

but these months traditionally hold special signifi-

cance in our lives that can make the distance seem

vast. Whether it is sitting at the table together, shar-

ing the Thanksgiving meal or seeing the gleam in the

eyes of children lined up to tell Santa their hearts de-

sire, this time reminds us how much we mean to each

other.

I want you all to know that while we are across oceans and continents

from each other, we are still together in heart and soul. The strength of

our Nation is the Solider, and the strength of our Soldiers is the Army

Family. Your deployed Soldiers are strong because of their family, their

own motivations and inspirations. We serve proudly because of a sense

of greater duty to do what is right and sacrifice now for a lasting peace

later.

We have so many things to be thankful for. My holiday wish is for you

and your loved ones to find peace and joy in the spirit of the season. I am

thankful for the opportunity to be the commander of such an amazing or-

ganization. We have been so fortunate to have each of you, here and at

home, on the Log Dawg team. We could not do this without you and your

support.

We are committed to our mission, taking care of each other, and keeping

our Soldiers safe. Never stop appreciating each other for the many gifts

each of us has and remember to communicate often to keep our personal

and professional relationships strong. Happy Holidays!

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Steadfast! - Medicine Warriors! - Sky Medics! - Log Dawgs!

Commander’s Foreword

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1SG’s Troop Highlights Greetings from “The” Log Dawg 7. I would like to

take a moment to shed light on the wonder things the

The Soldiers of the 551st MLC are doing across the

theater of operation. The Log Dawgs are going far

beyond the call of duty with only 2 months into the

deployment. Your Medicine Warriors have partici-

pated in numerous MWR events which include 5k

and 10k runs across theater, ruck march competi-

tions, and various other extreme physical fitness

events with some earning top honors as a result of

their winning spirit, drive, and motivation.

The Soldiers have by far exceeded the leadership’s expectations and have

contributed to the unit’s ability to take the Class VIII mission in theater to

new heights. The Soldiers of the medical maintenance section have been

instrumental to the mission by providing routine and unscheduled mainte-

nance across the entire theater with many Soldiers earning accolades from

various unit commands for their outstanding contributions to the sustain-

ment of the forces. The Soldiers within the warehouse (storage, shipping,

receiving, vault, cold chain, hazmat, customer support, and item manager)

to include the FDT support elements are making major strides in the

Army’s effort to reduce ASL requirements while increasing productivity of

supply chain management throughout the theater.

Morale is high within the 551st MLC and that’s evident with the reenlist-

ment of 6 Log Dawgs (SGT Arambula, SGT Barton, SPC Bailey, SPC Wake-

field, SPC Lucha, and ?). SGT Cox was named NCO of the Month for No-

vember and SPC Irwin was named Soldier of the Month for November as

well. SPC Russell was name China Dragon of the Week which is acknowl-

edgment from the TF28 CSM for Soldiers who have gone beyond the call of

duty for the week.

Log Dawg 7 will ensure that the Soldiers of the 55st MLC are remaining fo-

cused, engaged, and motivated without fail. We are proud to be represent-

ing the Medicine Warrior family and will always strive to for excellence.

“LOG DAWGS” RUFF RUFF!!!

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Hellhounds! Hellhounds! Have worked diligently to improve the quality of life within the warehouse and other locations. Hellhounds are always ensuring guidelines are being met and fol-lowed daily and having fun doing it. SGT Reid has improved the safety of the ware-house by 85% since arriving to theatre. SGT Gonzalez has ensured that all person-nel have access to hygiene products within the warehouse. CPL Hernandez makes sure all awards and financial is-sues are processed effectively and accu-rately. SGT Quach is ensuring at all systems and software within the company is working properly to complete the mission. SSG Roberts is proudly serving as the Helhounds Platoon sergeant and 551st MLC Supply sergeant. She is celebrating her birthday on the 24th of Decem-ber.

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WarDawgs!

SPC Myer’s Promotion to CPL

Cake’s at Thanksgiving

View of the Terrain in Afghanistan

KAF Personnel competing in a 10-Miler Race

KAF Team enjoying a BBQ

The MIGHTY Ware-house Soldiers of the 551st MLC have been doing an amazing job supporting the warfighter. We are currently located at 4 different locations throughout the country. We have had a busy first quarter. CPL Myer’s got promoted, we as-sisted an Egyptian Hospital close, and we have celebrated the beginning of the holiday season. As you can see by the pictures there are a lot of events and things to participate in. We miss eve-ryone back home but know that we have broth-ers and sisters here to support us! -2nd PLT

Mr. Pulliam and SGT Arambula Grilling

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SPC Lucha and SSG Angeles outside a DFAC

We have met some interesting people

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The Mighty 3rd is already dropping the Hammer to ensure the standard of safe, effective, and reliable medical equipment is maintained in Afghani-stan!

As we spend more and more hours with each other, it has become really fun to see who we most favor in facial features or personality. Can you iden-tify your loved one from the pictures below? If you are stumped, next time you talk to your loved one have them break it down for you! We truly appreciate your support and words of encouragement.

Thank you. LogDawg 36

Hammer!

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From Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, the 551st Medical Company (Logistics) “Logdawgs” arrived in thea-ter and conducted a formal Transfer of Authority ceremony from the 8th Medi-cal Company (Logistics) “Wolverines” at 1400 on 7 November, 2013. The Com-pany will enable healthcare providers across Afghanistan through resupply, medical equipment issue, medical equipment field level maintenance and repair, medical gases, and pharmacy. As the single Army MEDLOG company, the 551st also integrates those functions as the joint tactical executor of the Theater Lead Agent for Medical Materiel (TLAMM) that sustains and assists the CMRE-Medical with retrograde for all designated forces operating in the Combined Joint Operational Area—Afghanistan (CJOA-A).

After just ten days in transition together, the hand-off of the mis-sion was complete, the property was exchanged, and the distribu-tion teams took up their positions across Afghanistan. The 8th MEDLOG having fulfilled their objective and proudly served as the single deployed Army medical logistics company for nine months, returned to their home station in Miesau, Germany for a deserved reintegration with their Families and just in time for the holidays! Congratulations to them for a job well done.

Now it is the 551st MEDLOG’s turn to provide world-class, joint, integrated medical logistics support to all the supported units serving as part of the NATO coalition forces of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The mission is evolving and new priorities include the vast requirements of retrograde. The

medical logistics unit endurance through re-duction in size and accountability in recapi-talizing cost and equipment to return home will be tested.

No unit is better prepared for the task than the 551st “Logdawgs”!

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The Transfer of Authority Ceremony, 7 November 2013. The 8th MLC cased their guidon and the 551st uncased theirs to symbolize the end of one unit’s tour and the beginning of the next while the mission continues without a break in support. From left to right: the 8th MLC, commanded by CPT Nad-ine Alonzo and formation lead by 1SG Winston Smith, and the 551st MLC, commanded by CPT Mark Sander and formation lead by 1SG Tony Flanagan.

The 551st MLC “Logdawgs” display their constant professionalism and readiness for any mission. The Soldiers will serve, based at four locations across Afghanistan in teams of varying size to provide adaptable and pre-dictive logistics support. As the retrograde mission evolves, they will be heavily engaged in closing medical missions and consolidating support from fewer locations while maintaining the high quality the customers will grow to expect from the Logdawgs.

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s Meet the Team!

Our contractors are an im-portant part of the team! They support the warehouse and help us with all the heavy lifting. Between all of them, there are over 100 years of military logistics experience!

Mr. Gibbs loading a shipment

Mr. Hougesen pick-ing items

Mr. Williams packing ship-ments

Civilian Team at the World Trade Center Memorial on Bagram (Left to Right) Mrs. Reilly, Ms. Thomas, Mr. Fields, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Gibbs, Ms. Carter, Mr. Barclay, Ms. Baxter, Ms. Hale, Mr. Williams, Ms.

Buckner, Ms. Bowen

Civilian Contractor Team Leads (Left to Right) Alicia Reilly, Antonio Barnes, and

Wanda Hale

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The 28th CSH, with home station at Fort Bragg, NC, provides the deployed headquar-ters and higher command for the 551st MLC. The Task Force 28 Medical “China Dragon” team consists of 17 units currently, made up of combat stress, forward surgical, preventive medicine, veterinary services, medical logistics, area support medical, dental, and blood support capabilities across the whole of the CJOA-A.

The Commander, TF 28 Medical, COL Charles Bradley, is a 26 year veteran and 67J, aeromedical evacuation officer, who has commanded at the CPT, MAJ, LTC and COL ranks. He has led on six deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan across the spectrum of roles as a Medical Service Corps officer, pi-lot, planner, and tactical maneuver com-mander in combat. COL Bradley will culmi-nate his tour in Afghanistan by assuming the role of the senior Army medical commander after TF MED-A ends their mission on 9 De-cember 2013.

The Command Sergeant Major, TF 28 Medical, CSM Darlene Taylor, is a 27 year active duty veteran with three additional years prior in the Reserves. Having served at every level of command for dental units, tactical and regional; and the theater medical headquarters in Europe and Af-ghanistan; and completing all levels of NCOES, retention training, and Drill Ser-geant School, CSM Taylor provides supe-rior senior enlisted leadership to the task force.

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China Dragons!

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Memories!

SGT Fernandez’s Birthday

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Memories!

Visit the new 551st MLC Facebook page!

www.facebook.com/551MLC

To contribute to the next newsletter, email requests or questions to CPT Sander at: mark.g.sander@afghan.swa.army.mil