Lieutenant Colonel James Hevel commanded the 515th Forward Support Battalion, supporting 5th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, in Baghdad. His FSB did not exist prior to its 2004 deployment to Iraq, the unit having been pulled together from several elements stationed at Fort Hood. The greatest challenge facing the battalion prior to and during their deployment was that they were writing their role through experience and practice. Hevel worked hard at the outset to build the camaraderie and unity of a unit that had never been together before, and in this interview discusses the issues associated with equipment, up-armoring vehicles, and running regular convoy routes in and around Baghdad as the primary logistics support for the maneuver battalions, as well as for many of the Iraqi police and Army units operating in his area of operations. His battalion was responsible for convoy escorts for all food supply to the forward operating bases, moving soldiers to and from the airport for R&R, providing maintenance support to the maneuver elements, receiving food and water on the FOB, and the myriad of other requirements associated with feeding, housing and maintaining a maneuver brigade. His battalion also played a key role in the security effort during the January 2005 Iraqi elections. “It’s your individual spirit and initiative and leadership that’s going to make this happen,” Hevel told his battalion, “that’s going to the carry the day. It’s not radios, it’s not fuel tankers, it’s not up-armored Humvees and it’s not ambulances. It’s not pieces, parts, but it’s your leadership that will overcome adversity.”

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