Combat Logistics Battalion 6

Combat Logistics Battalion 6, commonly abbreviated CLB-6 and nicknamed “Red Cloud,” is a logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps. It is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and falls within Combat Logistics Regiment 2 and the 2nd Marine Logistics Group. Unlike a commercial brand, CLB-6 is a military organization whose identity is associated with expeditionary logistics, convoy operations, transportation, sustainment, and support to Marine combat formations. The battalion was established in 2006 as the United States expanded its military presence during the Iraq War. Its creation addressed the need for a unit capable of delivering air and ground logistical support in forward operating areas and of rapidly organizing its personnel and attached capabilities around the requirements of a deployed maneuver formation. CLB-6 subsequently deployed repeatedly to Iraq and Afghanistan and later supported crisis-response missions in Africa. CLB-6’s core mission is to train, rapidly task-organize, deploy, employ, fight, and redeploy while providing combat service support to a Regimental Combat Team and other Marine Air-Ground Task Force maneuver elements. The unit is intended to extend the logistical reach of those formations beyond their organic capabilities and to preserve continuity of operations. It is also expected to be prepared to assume the responsibilities of a Logistics Combat Element when assigned that role. The battalion’s standing structure includes Headquarters and Service Company and Motor Transport Company. Headquarters and Service Company contains the battalion headquarters and staff functions. Motor Transport Company performs the unit’s central transportation role using tactical vehicles. Depending on the mission, CLB-6 can be task-organized with additional combat engineers, combat logistics personnel, or other capabilities so that it can perform a broader range of logistical functions. Its operational history is closely connected with the major overseas campaigns of the post-2001 Marine Corps. The battalion first deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq, in 2007 and returned to the province in 2008. It then conducted successive Afghanistan deployments, supporting operations from bases including Camp Leatherneck and moving supplies through Helmand Province by ground combat logistics patrols. These missions included routes to areas such as Now Zad, Musa Qal'eh, and Sangin, as well as cooperation with British logistics forces and support for Female Engagement Team activities. As large-scale operations in Iraq and Afghanistan diminished, CLB-6 shifted toward crisis-response and theater-security missions. From 2015 through 2020 it deployed three times as the Logistics Combat Element for the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force–Crisis Response–Africa. A 2016 deployment to Mauritania under Operation Juniper Shield included training Mauritanian Army personnel in convoy operations. CLB-6 remains an active Marine Corps logistics unit. Its public profile is defined less by consumer products or commercial services than by its expeditionary support function, ability to operate in contested environments, and role in sustaining Marine forces during deployments.

Combat Logistics Battalion 6 was formed in 2006 as the Marine Corps expanded logistical capacity for operations in Iraq and other forward areas. The new battalion was organized under Lieutenant Colonel Patrick N. Kelleher and Sergeant Major Melanie A. Hunt and was required to become operational quickly enough to support the force surge associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom. After completing Mojave Viper training at the Marine Air Ground Combat Training Center in Twentynine Palms, California, CLB-6 deployed to Al Anbar Province in February 2007. The unit assumed responsibilities from Combat Logistics Battalion 8 and provided transportation and other combat service support in western Iraq. The deployment exposed the newly established battalion to the hazards of sustaining Marine forces in an active combat theater. Three members identified in the unit’s public history—Corporal Henry W. Bogrette, Lance Corporal Jeffrey D. Walker, and Lance Corporal Bobby L. Twitty—died during the 2007 deployment from hostile fire or a vehicle accident. The battalion returned to Al Anbar in February 2008 under Lieutenant Colonel David J. Eskelund and Sergeant Major Wayne O. Gallman. During this second Iraq deployment, CLB-6 operated in general support of I Marine Expeditionary Force throughout the province and returned to the United States in September 2008. In June 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Michael D. Lepson assumed command with Sergeant Major Alex M. Dobson. The battalion deployed to Afghanistan in January 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Based at Camp Leatherneck, it maintained a presence across Helmand Province and conducted ground combat logistics patrols to move supplies toward locations including Now Zad, Musa Qal'eh, and Sangin. Its work included joint convoy operations with the British Army’s 10th Close Support Logistics Regiment and support for Female Engagement Teams operating within the Marine Expeditionary Brigade footprint. Lepson was relieved during the deployment following concerns reflected in command-climate surveys. Major William C. Stophel assumed command in July 2010 and led the battalion during its return to the United States. First Sergeant Raquel Painter filled the senior enlisted leadership role after the unexpected relief of the previous sergeant major. The leadership transition was a significant internal event, but the battalion continued its logistical mission in Afghanistan. Lieutenant Colonel R. J. Rizzo held command from September 2010. In July 2011, CLB-6 deployed again to Afghanistan, once more operating from Camp Leatherneck and supporting forces throughout Helmand Province. The unit completed that deployment in February 2012. Lieutenant Colonel Brian W. Mullery took command in June 2012, while Sergeant Major Roger Griffith joined the battalion in April of that year. CLB-6 then conducted a further Afghanistan deployment and returned to the United States in February 2014 after supporting Regional Command (South West). The reduction of major combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan led to a change in the battalion’s deployment profile. From 2015 through 2020, CLB-6 deployed three times as the Logistics Combat Element for the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force–Crisis Response–Africa. These missions reflected the Marine Corps’ broader emphasis on mobile crisis response, partner engagement, and support to dispersed forces rather than the sustained, large-scale convoy networks of the earlier Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. One publicly reported mission occurred in Mauritania in 2016 under Operation Juniper Shield. Over approximately five weeks, CLB-6 personnel trained Mauritanian Army counterparts in convoy operations, combining practical logistics expertise with military engagement. The unit’s history also entered popular culture through accounts by participants in its 2010 Afghanistan deployment. A 2014 nonfiction memoir examined the experience of the battalion’s transportation personnel, while a 2023 gothic-horror novel presented a fictionalized version of that deployment. These works contributed to the limited body of literature focused specifically on combat logistics personnel. CLB-6 remains an active component of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group. Its continuing purpose is to provide adaptable transportation and combat service support, attach or receive additional capabilities as missions require, and enable Marine maneuver forces to operate beyond the limits of their organic logistics resources.

• 2020

  End of reported SPMAGTF-CR-AF deployment period

  [1]Combat Logistics Battalion 6en.wikipedia.org

  The battalion’s publicly described series of three crisis-response deployments in Africa extended through 2020.

• 2016

  Mauritania convoy-training mission

  [1]Combat Logistics Battalion 6en.wikipedia.org

  CLB-6 conducted a five-week Operation Juniper Shield mission in Mauritania and trained partner-force personnel in convoy operations.

• 2015

  Transition to Africa crisis-response support

  [1]Combat Logistics Battalion 6en.wikipedia.org

  The battalion began a period of repeated deployments as the Logistics Combat Element for SPMAGTF-CR-AF.

• 2014

  Return from Regional Command (South West)

  [1]Combat Logistics Battalion 6en.wikipedia.org

  CLB-6 completed another Afghanistan deployment and returned to the United States.

• 2011

  Further Afghanistan deployment

  [1]Combat Logistics Battalion 6en.wikipedia.org

  The battalion returned to Helmand Province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

• 2010

  First Afghanistan deployment

  [1]Combat Logistics Battalion 6en.wikipedia.org

  CLB-6 deployed to Camp Leatherneck and supported logistics operations across Helmand Province.

• 2008

  Second Al Anbar deployment

  [1]Combat Logistics Battalion 6en.wikipedia.org

  The battalion returned to western Iraq in general support of I Marine Expeditionary Force.

• 2007

  First Iraq deployment

  [1]Combat Logistics Battalion 6en.wikipedia.org

  After Mojave Viper training, CLB-6 deployed to Al Anbar Province and assumed duties from Combat Logistics Battalion 8.

• 2006

  Battalion established

  [1]Combat Logistics Battalion 6en.wikipedia.org

  Combat Logistics Battalion 6 was formed to expand forward logistics capacity during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

An expeditionary Marine Corps logistics organization positioned to deliver scalable combat service support, transportation, and sustainment to maneuver forces in forward and crisis-response environments.

Product categories. Combat service support · Tactical transportation · Ground logistics and convoy operations · Expeditionary supply distribution · Logistics Combat Element support · Task-organized support to Marine maneuver forces

• 2010

  Commanding officer relieved after command-climate concerns

  Lieutenant Colonel Michael D. Lepson was unscheduledly relieved during the Afghanistan deployment following concerns reflected in command-climate surveys. Major William C. Stophel assumed command.

  Source

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• 2016Operation Juniper Shield

  Mauritania · West Africa

  The battalion conducted a five-week mission in Mauritania and trained Mauritanian Army counterparts in convoy operations.

  Outcome. The mission combined logistics expertise with partner-force training.

  Source
• 2015SPMAGTF Crisis Response Africa

  Africa

  CLB-6 began three deployments as the Logistics Combat Element for the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force–Crisis Response–Africa.

  Outcome. The deployments supported mobile crisis-response and theater-security missions through 2020.

  Source
• 2012Operation Enduring Freedom

  Afghanistan · Regional Command (South West)

  CLB-6 provided combat service support to Regional Command (South West) during another Afghanistan deployment.

  Outcome. The battalion returned to the United States in February 2014.

  Source
• 2011Operation Enduring Freedom

  Afghanistan · Helmand Province

  The battalion again supported Marine forces across Helmand Province from Camp Leatherneck.

  Outcome. The deployment concluded in February 2012.

  Source
• 2010Operation Enduring Freedom

  Afghanistan · Helmand Province

  CLB-6 operated from Camp Leatherneck and conducted ground combat logistics patrols, including supply movements to several forward locations.

  Outcome. The battalion returned to the United States in August 2010 after completing its mission.

  Source
• 2008Operation Iraqi Freedom

  Iraq · Al Anbar Province

  The battalion returned to western Iraq and operated in general support of I Marine Expeditionary Force throughout the province.

  Outcome. The deployment ended in September 2008.

  Source
• 2007Operation Iraqi Freedom

  Iraq · Al Anbar Province

  CLB-6 conducted its inaugural deployment to Al Anbar Province, providing transportation and combat service support after taking over duties from another logistics battalion.

  Outcome. The battalion returned to the United States in September 2007.

  Source

• 2015

  Shift toward crisis-response logisticsStrategy

  Background

  As major combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan drew down, the Marine Corps emphasized mobile crisis response and dispersed overseas support.

  Action taken

  CLB-6 deployed repeatedly as the Logistics Combat Element for SPMAGTF-CR-AF.

  Aftermath

  The battalion’s publicly described deployment profile expanded from sustained combat-theater logistics to crisis-response and partner-engagement missions in Africa.

  Source

• 2006

  Creation of an expeditionary logistics battalionStrategy

  Background

  The Marine Corps required additional air and ground logistics capacity for forward-deployed forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  Action taken

  The Corps established CLB-6 and organized it for rapid deployment and task organization around the needs of Marine maneuver formations.

  Aftermath

  The battalion deployed to Iraq within its first year and later supported operations in Afghanistan and Africa.

  Source

1. 1Combat Logistics Battalion 6en.wikipedia.org