Reservists in the ATAC

In late February 2003, six storekeepers from the Naval Reserve Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Norfolk Detachment 207 were mobilized from the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center Richmond, processed through Norfolk, Va., and departed for the Bahrain.

Their mission was to augment the existing Advanced Traceability and Control (ATAC) personnel gearing up for the surge of Depot Level Repairable (DLR) retrograde material expected to hit the ATAC Node.

These citizen Sailors left family and friends, and set aside the security of their civilian jobs to help support their shipmates in theater, both on land and on ships at sea. They deployed for one year into a period of unknowns to experience a new culture, intense stress, and perpetual uncertainty. Two other Reservists and eight third-country nationals (TCN) also augmented the ATAC Node in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.

The combined ATAC team in Bahrain processed more than 2,400 items in its first 30 days in country, 11 days of which were during the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Every person works a 12-hour shift, six days a week, which allows for one day off, to take care of personal business, and to experience a little mental and physical relaxation from the everyday stress. The team maintained a record processing time of 1.2 days per item once the material was received into the ATAC Operating Report System (AORS). This is a true accomplishment as the requirement is 2.0 days per item.

One member of the FISC Norfolk Det 207 team was forward deployed to the Commander Task Force (CTF) 53 Detachment site in A1 Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Storekeeper 2nd Class Mike Meadows, from Richmond, Va., set up a mobile node and processed almost 1,000 items during the month of March. This required learning a new material tracking system known as eRMS (electronic Retrograde Management System), utilizing notebook computers and secure Internet access.

Meadows received help from another FISC Norfolk Reservist, Master Chief Storekeeper Sandria Hughes from the headquarters unit (FISC Norfolk Det 107). Developing the expeditionary element of the ATAC process, their efforts have been a shining mark in the logistical support needed to handle the large amounts of retrograde in a port where there is currently no ATAC infrastructure.

SK1 Roberta Sanford, from King George, Va., has been performing the role of Shop Chief, taking care of everything from muster to the common cold. She fulfills the role of leading enlisted and sets the example for the rest to follow. Just like the rest of the team, she has learned a great deal very quickly about running a small division ashore and tackling those everyday problems such as pay, where to eat, or better yet, how to get food from a local delivery establishment. In a culture much different than ours, it is a feat much more challenging than one would think.

SK2 Carmichael Townes, from Graham, N.C., and SK2 Diana Straub, from Fredericksburg, Va., are two enlisted team members with prior active duty experience. Their prior experience has proven invaluable to everyone here, because they each have an understanding of the working relationships needed to resolve the issues associated with "frustrated" freight.

Both SK2 Townes and SK2 Straub have taken on training roles. They educate both the additional Reservists and civilian employees on the proper ways to package and handle ATAC material, as well as training on such items as the Mark9b gas mask and Chemical Biological Radiological suit. Refresher gaining is always needed when working in a heightened state of alert.

SK2 Sidney Grisset, from Bowie, Md., an advance paygrade petty officer who was recruited directly into the Navy Reserves with no active duty experience, has been exposed to the novelties of active duty service. In his own words "This is way different than I had expected." The flexibility of the everyday service member is essential to Naval service and SK2 Grissett has been learning that little stays the same from minute to minute.

The team here from FISC Norfolk Det 207 has set the example for all ATAC Det personnel. They hit the deck plates running, or in this case the sand, and never looked back. Every person is an invaluable asset to the CTF 53 ATAC effort in Bahrain and Fujairah. All will remember this experience for the rest of their lives and remember their shipmates as part of a family experience.

As the ATAC OIC, I am honored to be responsible for this superb team of Reservists and the efforts that they have put forth to conquer any retrograde issues, no matter the time required to complete. Each member on a daily basis goes above and beyond what is expected to resolve "frustrated" freight that lands on the doorstep of the ATAC Node.

Each piece of retrograde has its own unique problems that take time and patience to resolve and, in many cases, a lot of diplomacy. The ATAC team acts as an integral member of the CTF 53 Aviation Unit and displays their professionalism each and every day. As the CTF 53 Aviation Unit motto indicates, "We're all over it!"

LCDR John Robinson currently serves as Executive Officer, FISC Norfolk, Detachment 207 when on duty. As a civilian he is Close-In Weapons System/Rolling Airframe Missile/SEARAM (Close-In Weapon System--Rolling Air-frame Missile) Action Officer and N765 Assistant Financial Coordinator for the Area Missile Defense Branch, of N76 Naval Surface Warfare Directorate N76 Deputy of Naval Operation, Surface Warfare, N765 Area Missile Defense.

By Lieutenant Commander, SC, USNR Officer in Charge, ATA C Bahrain

COPYRIGHT 2003 U.S. Department of the Navy, Supply Systems Command
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group