10/16/2014 -- YUMA, Ariz. - Marines with 1st Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, provided logistical support for the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, in Yuma, Arizona, since Aug. 28, 2014.
WTI is a seven-week-long, bi-annual training course designed to hone and develop pilot, weapon system operator, ground combat, and combat support service personnel skills in battlefield knowledge and expertise.
First Lieutenant Sean Dudley, logistics element officer in charge, explained that his Marines provide food, water, and other logistical services to the various forward operating bases where the WTI course Marines are operating. Without these daily supply runs, the course wouldn't be sustainable. On a daily basis, the Marines are responsible for maintaining accountability and proper distribution for hundreds of tons of rations, ensuring the proper amount of food is being taken to the correct places throughout the training course. Additionally, they provide motor transportation mechanics to recover and fix any unserviceable vehicles.
The Marines work diligently making sure those in the field are properly supplied in order to ensure the success of the course, said Dudley.
"If we weren't here doing the fuel and chow, vehicles wouldn't be moving and Marines wouldn't be eating," added Dudley. "It would be an unsustainable exercise."
Gunnery Sgt. John Schlaud, logistics element senior enlisted advisor, explained that in addition to maintaining a high operational tempo, many junior Marines were required to perform duties outside their usual job description.
"There were a lot of junior and senior enlisted Marines out here, with not a whole lot in between," said Schlaud. "Despite this, everyone worked well above and beyond expectations; nothing but professionalism."
Thanks to the hard work of the Marines from 1st Supply Bn., the success of the graduate-level WTI course is in hand. Ultimately, this allows 1st MLG's purpose of providing support in I MEF's overall mission into practice, assisting I MEF in remaining the Marine Corps' globally responsive, expeditionary and fully scalable Marine Air Ground Task Force.