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News | Oct. 27, 2016

Staffers in Qatar have been working hard to lay boneyard residents to rest

By Tim Hoyle DLA Disposition Services

Operation “Big Wheel” has been adding big numbers to scrap operations in Qatar with the arrival of 55 vehicles from the installation “boneyard” were scrapped onsite along with three truckloads of washers, dryers, bed frames and other miscellaneous scrap from Al Udeid Air Base.

The influx of vehicles ended a gap of more than a year that field reports indicate was the result of strict restrictions for disposal operations in Qatar. The reports show that DLA Disposition Services team members worked closely with Qatari Customs, the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and a local scrap contractor to execute a plan that would please all parties involved. In fact, DLA Disposition Services has already received 88 more vehicles and established a timeline with the 379th ELRS for the other 200 vehicles at the boneyard.

“All the credit goes to Frankie Rivera and Michael Loomis,” said Barbara Johnson, who replaced Rivera as the site lead in Qatar after he returned to the United States.

Before departing, Rivera wrote that both parties are eager to accomplish the mission by the end of December. Army watercraft will play a part in moving a number of the larger vehicles to Kuwait where there are better capabilities to dispose of the items. The progress made in disposing of the vehicles has been very pleasing to Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Sander, the 379th ELRS commander.

In his feedback to DLA, Sander wrote how “the removal of these vehicles has been a priority project for our squadron for more than two years. I am very thankful to the DLA-DS Team and their aggressive approach to clear a long-time challenge for the base.  Well done DLA!”

For the DLA team at Qatar, Johnson said it was a great feeling that gave everyone a strong sense of accomplishment.

“This just shows the level of skill, dedication and pride that the military and civilians have for the mission here at Al Udeid,” Rivera said. “All persons involved have worked long days in extreme temperatures and conditions to accomplish these challenging tasks.