North Carolina ship and soldiers proudly serve in the Middle East
Exclusive ABC11 coverage continues from Kuwait with a little known seaborne unit supplying combat soldiers in the fight against Isis.
CAMP PATRIOT, Kuwait (WTVD) -- The North Carolina state flag is flying proudly over the Persian Gulf, on a U.S. Army ship called the Fort Donelson. It is based in Morehead City, staffed by an Army Reserve unit, and part of a little-known transportation unit.
WATCH: An NC flag on a ship in Kuwait
"The first thing that comes out of their mouth is 'the Army's got boats'?" said Sgt. 1st Class David Vanschaick of Dunn. "I say 'Yes sir they do'. And I start to explain and show them pictures I have on my phone."
Vanschaick is among 17 North Carolina soldiers on board. He told ABC11 he enjoys his deployment to Kuwait.
"I'm proud to do my duty here for my country, family, and friends back home," said Vanschaick.
They call themselves the Brownwater Navy, because their ships can navigate shallow water, land on beaches, and deliver critical supplies to soldiers.
The U.S. Army's fleet of 189 boats is controlled by the 1st Theater Sustainment Command at Fort Bragg.
"It just goes back to all the things that we control," said Maj. Neysa Williams of the 1st TSC.
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Williams explained that the ships and their soldiers have an important mission in Operation Inherent Resolve, shuttling supplies for troops involved in the fight against Isis.
"If it needs to go somewhere, if it needs to move, we're going to get it there, if that's by land air or sea," said Williams.
In the galley of the Fort Donelson, Sergeants Harold Woody and Bryant Hawkins always have North Carolina on their mind, trying to make the food taste like home, by offering home cooking like fried chicken, fried fish, and pecan pie.
It is comfort food for soldiers like Vanschaick, who miss North Carolina.
"My family supports me 100%," said Vanschaick. "I Skype my wife and kids every night and we tell each other how much we love each other and miss each other and she tells me how proud she is of me."
