 Fuel is a necessity for combat operations. And ensuring service members throughout Helmand Province have the fuel they need is the responsibility of General Support Motor Transport Company, First Maintenance Battalion Minus Reinforced and their non-commissioned officers. The Marines and sailors of the company hire local Afghans, inspect them and their trucks, and then escort the civilians and fuel to different Ford operating bases throughout the battle space. What we're doing today is we are going through several local national fuel trucks. We're getting ready to move fuel to a couple different Ford operating bases. We actually contracted out. All we do is we provide logistical support for local national truckers to move the fuel about. When preparing for the fuel movements, the Marines and their non-commissioned officers conduct multiple inspections on not only the trucks, but also the drivers. After inspecting the Afghans, the Marines check their person for contraband. Additionally, the Marines utilize a technology called the Biometric Automated Tool Set and handheld interagency identity detection equipment, also known as the Batson Hide. Today we came out here with the Batson Hide system to try to get some information on the local national truck drivers that we're hiring to transport the fuel. After each driver is inspected and screened, the next step is searching their trucks for contraband as well as conducting mechanical inspections. We inspect everything from the fluids. We have them start up to make sure the engine runs correctly. Like there's no air leaks, fuel leaks, any type of fluid. We have to make sure all the tires are like they're not going to blow out when we go out on the road, and we have to make sure that they have spares so if they do go out and they can change it very quickly. While inspecting drivers and their trucks may take some time, the non-commissioned officers continue to improve upon the process, and their Marines consistently get better with each completed mission. I think my Marines are doing an outstanding job out here. We've come out here and done this several times and with repetition is going to come muscle memory. So every time we come out here, the job gets done more thoroughly and more quickly as well. The opportunity to work alongside the Marines and deliver fuel throughout the area is something the local Afghans appreciate. Well, I think it is very good, especially if it's for the peace for Afghanistan and for the people. Reporting from Helmand Province, Afghanistan, I'm Sergeant John Jackson.