An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Sept. 20, 2023

Innovating Logistics in the Pacific the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade Supports Talisman Sabre 23

By Aaron DeCapua, 402nd Army Field Support Brigade

The 402nd Army Field Support Brigade (AFSB) deployed in support of the 8th Theater Support Command and Talisman Sabre 23 (TS23) in Australia from June 19 through August 4. This exercise required the 402nd AFSB support in multiple locations across the Pacific Theater, leveraging sustainment and logistics. The key areas of focus exercised for the AFSB were dynamic employment of Army Prepositioned Stock (APS), low earth orbit (LEO) Satellite communications, deploying a forward Logistics Support Element (LSE), and developing command relationships with support teams from the 404th and 403rd AFSBs.

With over 33,000 troops from 13 countries hosted in Australia, this year marks the 10th iteration of Talisman Sabre, a biennial exercise designed to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening partnerships and interoperability among key allies.

"The 402nd AFSB supports the Pacific Theater from Alaska to the Indian Ocean", said 402nd AFSB Intelligence Officer Capt. Robert Rendle. "Distance is the primary challenge working in this theater, but ensuring we stay practiced and innovative for training exercises like this leverages logistics for mission success.

The 402nd AFSB served as a Theater Army Field Support Brigade (TAFSB), deployed from its headquarters at Fort Shafter in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Queensland, Australia. 11 members of the 402nd AFSB with signal enablers attached from Bravo Company and the 307th Expeditionary Signal Brigade Enhanced were located in Queensland to integrate and synchronize enterprise equities and support ground tactical units. The units supported were the 2nd Brigade 25th Infantry Division, 1st Armored Division, 16th Cavalry Regiment, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and 11th Airborne Division.

For the first time, the 402nd Theater AFSB team deployed to Australia and established an LSE west of the international date line and provided the Combined Joint Theater Sustainment Command full-spectrum enterprise support across the theater.

"The 402nd's ability to deploy an LSE forward enables command and control of enterprise equities to give a better common operating picture to the commander, Army Sustainment Command, and Army Material Command for better informed command decisions that support their operations," said 402nd AFSB Capt. Maurice Williams, the TS23 Operations Planner. "It gives a detailed and holistic view of theater operations in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility."

Before its arrival and throughout the exercise, the Theater AFSB enabled APS dynamic employment and synchronized materiel enterprise capabilities across the Pacific Theater in support of TS23. This exercise supported U.S. Army Pacific Commands' overarching Operation Pathways and demonstrated the Army's power projection capabilities in support of our partners and allies. The 402nd's support included key tasks aimed at ensuring a successful operation.

"It's essential that we reassure our partners and allies in exercises like Talisman Sabre 23; deterrence of future conflict is crucial in this theater," said Williams.

During the months leading up to the exercise, the 402nd AFSB executed its support operations team specialized in the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program Contracts (LOGCAP). This section leveraged contracting management to meet pre-deployment Australian Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (DAFF) inspection requirements and to ensure the equipment requiring environmental sanitation meets inspection requirements. The 402nd AFSB LOGCAP team worked closely with the 25th Infantry Division and the 8th Theater Support Command, executing DAFF cleaning and inspections before shipment. Performed by contractors and Soldiers, this preparation was essential so that Soldiers could train in Australia with the vehicles and equipment sets required for the exercise.

Before deploying to Australia, the command assessed the need for secure, remote, self-sustaining communications. This requirement allowed for innovation and a new capability due to the long distance between command-and-control cells and logistics nodes between the headquarters on Oahu and Theater AFSB located in Australia. Reliable communication is critical to mission accomplishment of the AFSB in the Indo Pacific Commands theater.

"Communication is key across such large joint operating areas, with teams in multiple locations stretching from New South Wales, Queensland, and the Northern Territory of Australia," said Williams.

"The 402nd TAFSB in Australia tested low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications to assess if this technology was mature enough for our operations," said Rendle. "The proof of principle for these new LEO satellite communications was a huge success for us; we deployed and used these new out of the box systems with bandwidth to spare. These greatly increased our ability to execute our classified and unclassified communication requirements for theater integration."

The 402nd AFSB focused on integrating and employing personnel, equipment augmentation and providing and synchronizing enterprise support to U.S. Army Pacific.

"Our support of Talisman Sabre took months of effort and synchronization; we employed our ready personnel directly to the tactical point of need," said Williams.

Much of the equipment and vehicles used in the exercise were provided as Army Prepositioned Stocks. These stocks were deployed from locations across the Indo Pacific Command’s Theater into Australia after the required DAFF inspections were completed on Oahu.

Once equipment arrived in Australia, Soldiers employed the equipment in the exercise, and the 402nd Theater AFSB integrated Logistical Assistance Representatives (LAR) and technical specialists to support the military units in multiple training areas.

"At the central command node for logistics, Senior Command Representatives managed the over 50 Logistics Assistance Representatives (specialists) who were aggressively supporting units throughout the exercise," said Rendle.

During Talisman Sabre 23, the 402nd AFSB maintained responsibility for LARs deployed from Army Material Command’s, Life Cycle Management Commands (LCMCs). LARs were essential in supporting the Combined Joint Force in this exercise.

After Talisman Sabre 23 concluded, the 402nd Theater AFSB continued support for the joint force through, the preparation and loading of equipment for transport to locations across the theater, as well as maintenance for future operations.

The 402nd improved techniques and procedures in command and control, employed LOE communication equipment and implemented flexible logistics synchronization procedures, resulting in the successful delivery of combat power to the joint force and strengthening of partnership with allies in the Pacific.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
Twitter
355,460
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Hosts Brunei for Bilateral Defense Agreement
Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Sklenka, deputy commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, hosted Dato Alirupendi, permanent secretary ministry of defense, State of Brunei Darussalam, at USINDOPACOM headquarters on Dec. 7, 2023, for the 16th joint defence working committee and the signing of the Section 505 Agreement. The bilateral engagement further builds upon the cooperation and interoperability between the two countries, codifies the exchange of diplomatic notes and assets, and demonstrates USINDOPACOM’s commitment to its Allies and partners to help ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Austin Riel)
Dec. 8, 2023 - CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii – Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Sklenka, deputy commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, hosted Dato Alirupendi, permanent secretary ministry of defence, State of Brunei Darussalam, at USINDOPACOM headquarters on...

International observers in multinational harmony at Operation Christmas Drop 2023
Republic of Korea Air Force Staff Sgt. Namseok Jeong, 259th Squadron rigger, participates in an Operation Christmas Drop 2023 (OCD 23) international forces bundle rigging event, Dec. 5, 2023, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The International Observer Program for OCD 23 featured forces from Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Interoperability and teamwork with our partner nations ensures we collectively remain ready for whenever and wherever the next disaster strikes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Taylor Altier)
Dec. 8, 2023 - Operation Christmas Drop 2023 has officially transcended its annual mission of spreading Christmas joy through humanitarian airdrop. What began as a humble charitable initiative has evolved into a multinational effort,...

U.S. Coast Guard conducts security boarding at Port of Guam, bolstering maritime security
A U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boarding Team, a key component of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, conducts a thorough security boarding of the 380-foot (116-meter) motor vessel Papa Mau, flagged from Antigua Barbuda, at the Port of Guam on Dec. 6, 2023. This general cargo vessel, arriving from Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), was meticulously inspected upon reaching Guam and found to be in full compliance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Brian Maffucci)
Dec. 8, 2023 - The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boarding Team, a key component of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, conducted a thorough security boarding of the 380-foot (116-meter) motor vessel Papa Mau, flagged from Antigua...

Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office to Host Hackathon in Hawaii
Dec. 7, 2023 - The Office of the Secretary of Defense Chief Digital and AI Office, Defense Innovation Unit, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Army Pacific Command and the U.S. Air Force will host a multi-classification hackathon open to all...

Dongducheon/Casey host second cooperation council engagement
South Korea - Dongducheon City Mayor Park Hyeon-deok and United States Army Garrison (USAG) Yongsan-Casey Commander Col. Lloyd Brown co-chaired the second Korean-American Cooperation Council hosted at Dongducheon City Hall, Dec. 6. The goal of the Dongducheon/USAG Yongsan-Casey council is to promote cultural exchanges, cooperation and generate mutual understanding between both communities, together with the U.S. Forces Korea and 8th Army guidance to help strengthen partnerships. (Photo Courtesy by Dongducheon City)
Dec. 7, 2023 - Dongducheon City Mayor Park Hyeon-deok and United States Army Garrison (USAG) Yongsan-Casey Commander Col. Loyd Brown co-chaired the second Korean-American Cooperation Council (KACC) hosted at Dongducheon City Hall, Dec. 6...