During my first job as a researcher at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), my office was down the hall from the Operations Research (OR) Department. At the time, I had no idea what OR was. I soon came to learn it was a branch of mathematics which uses methods such as mathematical modeling, statistics, and algorithms to arrive at optimal or good decisions. At NPS, the OR Department focused on military logistics. In fact, I saw a sign on the door of one of the tenured OR professors: “Amateurs discuss tactics – professionals discuss logistics.” This made me feel amateurish since I was there to research strategy and tactics. It was 1991 and the first US-led coalition had just ejected Saddam’s army from Kuwait, destroying a good portion of it as it retreated north from Kuwait laden with war booty. I remember hearing OR professors discussing the logistical effort that was necessary to move supplies, vehicles, and soldiers from the US to Saudi Arabia in preparation for the brief ground war that ensued in February, 1991. It was akin to moving the entire city of Atlanta from the US to Saudi Arabia, I remember hearing on the television.
When my NIACT class was at the Udairi Range in Kuwait we heard a giant rumbling sound after walking off the small arms weapons range. Having watched too many World War II movies, I asked, “are those tanks?” The weapons range master said that it was a supply convoy headed north into Iraq. As we walked back to our housing/classroom area we got a small view of the main highway several miles away. We saw an endless train of trucks flowing north into Iraq carrying supplies. During our three-day stay at Udairi we heard numerous convoys moving north at all hours of the day and night in spite attacks by insurgents earlier in the year. Watching that first convoy made me appreciate the magnitude of the operation here – and how well the US military does logistics.
That effort is manifest everywhere in Iraq where the coalition operates. The best example is any DFAC in theater. Even modest DFACs have a wide array of food which differs every day. Living in the US, people expect the lights to come on when they flick the switch in their houses and expect to see food at the grocery store. On a major base in Iraq, it’s just the same but the fact it can happen here is a testament to just how good our logistics are.
Tonight at the DFAC, I celebrated this by having an ice cream cone. As I enjoyed it, I couldn't recall any major army in history that marched into the field while maintaining near simultaneous access to soft-serve ice cream. I’m glad the OR professionals are on our side.
When my NIACT class was at the Udairi Range in Kuwait we heard a giant rumbling sound after walking off the small arms weapons range. Having watched too many World War II movies, I asked, “are those tanks?” The weapons range master said that it was a supply convoy headed north into Iraq. As we walked back to our housing/classroom area we got a small view of the main highway several miles away. We saw an endless train of trucks flowing north into Iraq carrying supplies. During our three-day stay at Udairi we heard numerous convoys moving north at all hours of the day and night in spite attacks by insurgents earlier in the year. Watching that first convoy made me appreciate the magnitude of the operation here – and how well the US military does logistics.
That effort is manifest everywhere in Iraq where the coalition operates. The best example is any DFAC in theater. Even modest DFACs have a wide array of food which differs every day. Living in the US, people expect the lights to come on when they flick the switch in their houses and expect to see food at the grocery store. On a major base in Iraq, it’s just the same but the fact it can happen here is a testament to just how good our logistics are.
Tonight at the DFAC, I celebrated this by having an ice cream cone. As I enjoyed it, I couldn't recall any major army in history that marched into the field while maintaining near simultaneous access to soft-serve ice cream. I’m glad the OR professionals are on our side.
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re: "I don’t know of any major army in history that marched into the field while maintaining near simultaneous access to soft-serve ice cream" - Saladin comes to mind with his ice-chilled water.
True, but ice-chilled water is still a long way from the gooey goodness of a fully operational soft serve machine.
Rico ~ I can think of a civilian who would gladly march across a field for a soft-serve!! (Depending on what was IN that field, of course.) Yes, we don't find soft-serve very often here in Texas, where you think you would find them within every square mile.
Your blog entries have been SO educational, as well as fun. Since I have never had the opportunity to really 'meet' my cousin, this is a wonderful way to learn so much about you, and your great demeanor (this thing lacks spell check, and I am at a loss:) ...including that you have an excellent sense of humor, and excellent writing skills to boot. Your descriptions of what you are experiencing are so finely detailed, that sometimes I have to read them 2 or 3 times. Your day off - step by step was fascinating. Thanks so much for your sharing. Robb
Hey, I think you are there with my brother. I just sent him back on Monday. He is a Major and that was my first time sending him off. I was often mistaken for his wife and I have a 3 yr old. They were amazing to us. I have thought of that day since, I really do treasure you and everyone there with you. If you see Maj D Jones, tell him I said hello and thank you so much for what you are going there!
Rico,
Zip told me about your blog at Nan's Birthday Party at the Crub.
So cheers, Mate. Might run into you (ala Platoon - I'll be marching in the opposite direction as you are getting on your Freedom Flight).
FOG
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