Public Affairs 
Aug. 3, 2004

FOB WARRIOR, Iraq – The HQ&A Company, 225th Forward Support Battalion conducted a Refuel on the Move (ROM) mission in support of a Republic of Korea (ROK) army convoy through their area of operations July 21.

Prior to this mission, the company conducted ROM operations in support of the 1-14 Infantry’s movement to Mosul. Each of these ROM missions were unique for a light FSB, since none of the ROM equipment is organic to the Battalion. The 225th built the capability to execute ROM missions since being deployed for OIF-2.

Supporting the ROK army was a historic event for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and the United States Army. For more than 50 years, U.S. Soldiers have worked with Korean soldiers in South Korea, but now the two countries are working side by side during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

When Spc. Jang, a Korean-American Soldier in the HQ&A Company, heard the company would be helping South Korean troops, he immediately voiced his ideas to help the mission.  Jang speaks fluent Korean. He was a tremendous asset during the entire ROM mission assisting with the preparation and execution.

Jang prepared a detailed strip map written in Korean with directions on how the ROM would be executed on FOB Warrior. He wanted to ensure there would be no confusion during the refueling and staging of vehicles. To successfully complete the mission, the ROM was broken down into four stations. Each station was controlled by a platoon sergeant or platoon leader.

As the first vehicles approached the gate on FOB Warrior, Jang and Staff Sgt. Pennicooke, HQ&A platoon sergeant, greeted the vehicles at station one. At the front gate ROK soldiers received strip maps written in Korean to aid them in the ROM process.  Pennicooke’s Soldiers then escorted the serials to station two.  Jang also floated throughout all the ROM stations to provide assistance. The Korean soldiers were surprised and proud to see a Korean-American Soldier providing assistance, and the soldiers seemed to be a little more relaxed while he was around.

At station two, Sgt. 1st Class Reynolds, HQ&A Company supply platoon sergeant, received the serial and separated the convoy into smaller elements in order to aid in the fueling process. Sgt. Davis the NCOIC of the fuel section communicated with Reynolds when pumps were available in order to expedite the refueling process. After the refueling was complete, vehicles were escorted to station three controlled by 2nd Lt. Fields, SSA platoon leader.

Fields ensured all the vehicles requiring MOGAS received fuel at the Air Force fuel point and that the Koreans did not mistake JP-8 for MOGAS.

When the vehicles were processed and ready for movement, Soldiers at the refueling station escorted the vehicles to station four. Sgt. 1st Class Bryant, SSA platoon sergeant, was responsible for receiving all the serials at the last station. Bryant ensured all the vehicles were staged in their correct serials prior to departure from FOB Warrior.

Jang provided Korean music at the vehicle staging area for the ROK soldiers. The ROK soldiers were motivated and excited to hear music from their home country.  Jang said, “It has been the most exciting experience I have ever had since joining the U.S. Army. Hopefully, I will have some more chances to support my fellow countrymen in the future.”  For his efforts and hard work during the ROM, he was awarded a coin from the Korean Commander. He thanked Jang for all his hard work and assistance to help support the mission. Although Jang provided a great deal of assistance during the ROM, it took a coordinated effort from all Soldiers in the company in order to make the mission happen flawlessly.

Due to the 100 plus degree weather Bryant had ice cold water and MREs waiting for all the Soldiers in the convoy.  Bryant said, “The Soldiers were ecstatic about having cold water waiting for them.”  Many of the ROK and Stryker Brigade Soldiers also said, “This is the first time that I ever had ice cold water waiting for me.”

While the convoy was staged at the Skeleton Hanger, HQ&A Company Soldiers received a first-hand look at the Stryker vehicle. 2nd Infantry Division Soldiers gave tours of the vehicles, explaining the capabilities, also their likes and dislikes concerning the vehicle. This is significant to the 2/25th because when the brigade redeploys, it will undergo the transition to a Stryker Brigade. This was a great opportunity for the Soldiers to see and learn about the equipment they will be using once the Stryker transition takes place.

After the convoy was refueled and staged, the ROK army leadership thanked the 225th Forward Support Battalion for their superb efforts in making the ROM a success.