As the drawdown of US combat forces in Iraq continues, airmen with the 732nd Expeditionary Support Squadron at Joint Base Balad are helping to process vast quantities of military equipment bound for refurbishment in the United States or being sent to military locations of higher priority like Afghanistan. “The airmen and soldiers here are scheduled to redeploy $17 billion in equipment over a six-month deployment,” said CMSgt. Barry Schulhofer, 732nd ESS chief enlisted manager. He noted that the next rotation of personnel “is scheduled to do even more.” Items range in size from hand-held laser pointers to mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles. “Without an RPAT, there is a greater likelihood of items being misplaced, lost, or left in the enemy’s hands,” said Capt. Christine Carr, 732nd ESS RPAT officer in charge. (Balad report by SSgt. Phillip Butterfield)
DOD Eases Mask Rules to Follow New CDC Guidance
May 14, 2021
The Defense Department will no longer require fully vaccinated personnel to wear masks at DOD facilities. The guidance applies to all those who are two weeks beyond their final dose, both inside and outside, according to a May 13 memo from Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks. The memo…