Directing flow of water for CSTX, QLLEX

Published June 18, 2015
By Army Sgt. Marco Gutierrez
350th Public Affairs Detachment

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Water is vital for human survival, and in the austere locations the U.S. Army typically operates out of, clean, potable water can often be hard to come by. To practice supplying this need, the Army Reserve Soldiers of the 971st Quartermaster Detachment out of Rio Grande, Texas, participating in Combat Support Training Exercise Global Lightning here are setting up a Tactical Water Distribution System.

The CSTX is the largest Army sustainment training exercise ever conducted and involves more than 12,000 service members from both U.S. and coalition forces, some of whom are operating out of the joint base. "Global Lightening" also contains two integrated exercises, including the Quartermaster Liquids Logistics Exercise, during which the 971st will work to transport the necessary purified water throughout the United States.

Over 6,000 Soldiers of the Army Reserve came together at the joint base and the mission of getting them clean, drinkable water is the 971st QM detachment's main focus.

Detachment Soldiers have set up approximately two miles of water distribution hose, connecting two 20,000 gallon water bags to support both the tactical CSTX and the QLLEX missions of "Global Lightning," said Army Sgt. Sergio Cortez, 971st QM Detachment water purification specialist.

Soldiers of the 971st QM Detachment have had to overcome significant obstacles during this training exercise, but it provided beneficial job training to new Soldiers, said Army Spc. Daniel Silva, 971st QM Detachment water purification specialist.

The terrain dictates how Soldiers of the detachment will lay the hose line from clean water sources to different locations around the area of operations.

The Soldiers work to be flexible with the layout and are often forced to plan alternate routes to accomplish the mission, according to Sgt. 1st Class Mike Beckham, 971st QM Detachment NCO in charge.

"You really have to be able to think on your feet, and be able to have a positive attitude to go in there knowing that what you planned might not work, and you might have to plan for something different," said Silvia.

Through all the challenges they face to accomplish their goal, Sylvia said the best part of the job is the camaraderie of his team, working hard, and having fun while working together.

This story was edited by the Joint Base Public Affairs Office.