USMC Reserves test tracking system in Africa - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

USMC Reserves test tracking system in Africa

Posted: Updated:

  • More WALB News10 HeadlinesMore News Headlines

  • Monday, May 20 2013 10:45 AM EDT2013-05-20 14:45:59 GMT
    Thomasville Police Officers responded to Walmart in reference to a shoplifting Sunday night. Employees told police a man left the store with a shopping cart full of items without paying. The employees
    Thomasville Police Officers responded to Walmart in reference to a shoplifting Sunday night. Employees said the man pulled knife and began swing it at them. He then ran to a vehicle parked in the parking lot and attempted to leave however, but the car would not start, so he took off running.

  • Monday, May 20 2013 9:30 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:30:40 GMT
    By PAMELA SAMPSON AP Business Writer BANGKOK (AP) - The price of oil fell Monday ahead of the release later this week of economic data from the U.S. and China, the world's two largest economies, and
    The price of oil fell Monday ahead of the release later this week of economic data from the U.S. and China. Benchmark crude for June delivery was down 55 cents to $95.47 a barrel, but gas in East Albany was $3.42 this morning....

  • Monday, May 20 2013 9:03 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:03:02 GMT
    A Lowndes County man is behind bars after deputies uncovered nearly half a million dollars of marijuana. Deputies responded to a complaint at Jose Sanchez's house on Highway 129 North Friday. Authorities

    A Lowndes County man is behind bars after deputies uncovered nearly half a million dollars of marijuana.

    •   

April 7, 2008

Albany -- Getting supplies to troops on the battlefield can be a life and death situation.

Three south Georgia Marine Reservists returned home Monday from a 26 day mission to West Africa to field test a new supply tracking system that could be put to use on the battlefields of Iraq.

Not only was the mission vital to test the system, it also delivered vital supplies to communities in need.

Lance Corporal Derek Fuller's digital camera caught it best, village streets in Liberia lined with smiling faces, both children and adults, all in desperate need of medical supplies.

"I think 95 percent of it was medical supplies going to hospitals we also delivered to a school. We delivered chairs, a desk, cabinets, things like that," said Fuller. 

This mission also served a higher purpose to test a new supply tracking system. One used by UPS, to ensure needed supplies on the battlefield arrive when they should.

"While we were over there we were testing out the system, labeling the gear, so that as we sent it out on convoys we were able to determine where the gear was," said Marine Reservist Sgt. Brandon Smith.

It's technology that could be headed to the battlefields of Iraq. "They can track the gear so that troops that are in theatre in Iraq when they order certain gear they have an idea where it's at or where it was ordered from or where it's supposed to be going," Smith said.

Three south Georgia Marines say the mission was a success and it's made them appreciate what they've got here in south Georgia.

"Getting to see as far as how much they appreciate everything, what it does for them and how different, how much better we have it in the United States as compared to what they have in Africa is definitely eye opening," says Marine Reservist PFC Travis Carlisle.

Eye opening to see how they can better track supplies while helping less fortunate communities.

The 26 day mission included over 100 Navy sailors and 30 Marine Reservists.

Feedback: news@walb.com?subject=MarineReserveTest-JE