NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN (Nov. 21, 2018) – A man of action once said, “Without logistics, cargo and personnel do not move.” That man is Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Richard – a Marine Corps logistics chief with Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) stationed in Bahrain.
“I provide technical expertise and serve as the principal advisor to TF 51/5 on all matters pertaining to mobility and distribution,” said Richard. “My role is to validate and track operational lift requirements to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Transportation Command for deployment, re-deployment and sustainment operations.”
As the Marine Air Ground Task Force Deployment and Distribution Operations Center Chief, Richard is responsible for planning, coordinating and tracking strategic mobility requirements for current and future operations emanating with higher, adjacent and supported units within the CENTCOM area of responsibility.
“I never imagined I would be responsible for the movement and staging of thousands of troops with items they require to be successful in crises contingencies and training exercises,” said Richard. “But here I am, 14 years into my career, tracking millions of dollars of strategic sustainment and materiel across various theaters of operation.”
Most notable, Richard was responsible for supporting approximately 150 TF 51/5 Sailors and Marines and 100 Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, during Eager Lion – CENTCOM’s largest regional exercise designed to exchange military expertise and improve interoperability among partnering nations.
Additionally, Richard was responsible for supporting approximately 600 Marines from I Marine Expeditionary Force and 700 Sailors from Naval Beach Group 1, during Native Fury 19 – a CENTCOM-led maritime prepositioning force exercise intended to increase proficiency, expand levels of cooperation, enhance maritime capabilities and promote long-term regional stability and interoperability between the United Arab Emirates and the U.S.
“Maritime Prepositioning Forces enable a rapid deployment and engagement of a fully capable Marine Air-Ground Task Force anywhere in the world in support of our National Defense Strategy,” said Richard. “By doing this, our interoperability with the UAE forces showed a stronger partnership with our allies.”
For anyone considering going into the logistics field, Richard has this advice.
“Logistics is a great career choice because it provides daily challenges across multiple supply chains,” said Richard. “My job has given me the opportunity to be exposed to many different industries, enterprises and organizations, which allowed me to work in a constantly changing environment.”
A native of Franklin, Louisiana, Richard proudly served as a Marine Corps drill instructor from 2008 to 2011, earned an Associate in Science in Business Administration and enjoys spending his free time with family, watching television and playing football and video games.
For more information about TF 51/5 please contact TF 51/5 Public Affairs Officer, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sandra Arnold at sandra.arnold@me.usmc.mil or Marine Corps Capt. Adam Miller at adam.miller2@me.usmc.mil.