Joint Task Force-East

21^st Theater Sustainment Commander visits JTF-East

June 6, 2008
Release No. 20080606-1

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIRBASE, ROMANIA – The commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) visited with his Soldiers to get an overall view of logistical support operations at Joint Task Force East (JTF-E) mission.

Under the command of Maj. Gen. Yves J. Fontaine, 21st TSC Soldiers ensure JTF-E logistics operations have the agility to support the needs of the training audience. JTF-E is an ongoing rotation that allows U.S. Soldiers to train alongside their Romanian and Bulgarian counterparts.

It is Fontaine’s job to ensure the logistics structure in place is proactive and looks to the needs of its customers- training units.

Fontaine began his visit with a trip to the rail head, an important facet of the premiere transportation hub which is JTF-E. JTF-E is uses a multi-modal concept, utilizing rail, highway, sea, and air to balance cost and service needs.

After the rail, Fontaine made his way to the JTF-E Headquarters, taking the time to acknowledge those unsung heroes, JTF-E HQ staff, whose weapons are laptops in the war of staff efficiency.

Next stop was the sports field that is being built by members of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74, otherwise known as Seabees. A mainstay of the Seabees operations, which has been going on since February, is giving back to the local economy by integrating local contractors into their overall logistical support plan, which in some parts falls into 21st TSC realm.

Although the main focus of his visit was logistical operations, Fontaine did not forget about his combat multipliers- his Soldiers. At lunch, he sat down with several Soldiers from his command to discuss their needs and thank them for the great job they are doing in support of the JTF-East mission.

“We talked about combat patches and where we were from,” said Staff Sgt. Ted Ybay of the 5th Maintenance Company in Grafenwoehr. “We talked about how we were going to set up and our plans for the rotation.”

Many Soldiers considered Fontaine’s visit to be a great boost for morale.

“I think it is great for younger Soldiers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence Johnson, also from the 5th Maintenance Company. “It builds their morale and lets them feel that they are not forgotten.”

“They are here, isolated away from their families, their units and their commands,” he said, “so when somebody with a lot of high rank comes to visit it makes them feel important.”

“At the lower ranks it is very important to let the Soldiers know they are not forgotten and taken care of,” Lawrence continued. “This makes them work harder and do their job well.”

After lunch the general took a tour of the MWR facilities located on the base, then visited the Training Support Center where he was briefed on the myriad of training aids available units, which you can be guaranteed 21st TSC has had a hand in shipping to JTF-E.

Fontaine also visited the maintenance facility where he was briefed by 1st Lt. Marjorie Calhuasqui of the 5th Maintenance Company on the operational plans for the upcoming rotation. 5th Maintenance CO personnel are taking great strides to improving our maintenance posture of equipment at JTF-E.

The final stop on the whirlwind tour was the Port of Constanza. At the port Fontaine received a history lesson on the port and shipping industry in Romania. Fontaine was very impressed with the ports capabilities and looks forward to utilizing it for future exercises.

Fontaine’s visit is indication of the importance we place on establishing relationships with or new NATO allies.

For more information regarding Joint Task Force East, please contact the Public Affairs Office, 0241 608 079 and 0730 630 079, cpicjtf-east@eur.army.milt.

back to top ^