FCU warehouse closes it doors

Force Communications Unit-10 (FCU-10) has transferred its warehousing function to Force Support Unit-9 (FSU-9) personnel at Camp Baird in the United Arab Emirates.

Force Communications Unit-10 Executive Officer, Squadron Leader Linda Saunders said FCU-10 logisticians had worked hard over the past four months to remediate excess equipment in preparation for the closure of the FCU warehouse and transfer of responsibility to the FSU logisticians.

“At the peak of operations in Afghanistan the FCU warehouse held more than 5000 items but with the redeployment of personnel and equipment from Operation SLIPPER the FCU warehouse has now been closed, enabling the transfer of logistics management from FCU to FSU,” she said.

“FCU logisticians have managed Communications and Information Systems (CIS) assets through the peak of operations supporting Australian forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.”

The warehouse was created in 2009 with the deployment of FCU-1.

FCU logisticians assisted with the remediation and redeployment of CIS equipment from a number of Forward Operating Bases during 2011 and 2012 as well as remediating and removing CIS equipment from Iraq in 2011.

“In 2013, the large task of closing Multi National Base-Tarin Kot (MNB-TK) kept the FCU logistics staff busy with CIS personnel and equipment some of the last to be withdrawn.”

The Force Communication Units logistics personnel initially numbered four and increased during multiple rotations to total six at the peak of operations.

About 400 ADF personnel will continue to work in Afghanistan in 2014 through training and advising the ANSF in both Kabul and Kandahar.

Approximately 800 personnel are deployed within the broader Middle East Region, including the maritime environment.