MAJ Jason Kristolaitis served as the commander for the movement control team (MCT), 27th Transportation Battalion under 3rd Corps Support Command (COSCOM) out of Tallil Air Base during 2003 and 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In the second of three February 2009 interviews, MAJ Kristolaitis discusses his unit's movement from Kuwait to Tallil during a particularly bad sandstorm, the challenges of his mission's requirement to be in multiple locations outside the wire at nearly all times, and the difficulties he experienced early on getting adequate logistical support. MAJ Kristolaitis observes, "Situational awareness is key. If you don't know what's going on, trust the people on the ground and trust the leadership to make the decisions. They're the ones who have to execute and they're the ones who have to take responsibility."

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