From Coles to the Middle East

Berwick flight lieutenant Shaun Toussaint has been planning the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve’s (CJTF-OIR) operations in Iraq and Syria. Picture: SUPPLIED 181168_01

By Rowan Forster

 A Berwick man is using his experience solving logistics puzzles for Coles Supermarkets to aid Operation Okra in the Middle East.

Flight lieutenant Shaun Toussaint has been planning the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve’s (CJTF-OIR) operations in Iraq and Syria.

When not in uniform, the Air Force reservist is the National Supply Chain Loss Manager for ‎Coles.

His role is to ensure that people and equipment arrive where they need to be at the right time.

“At Coles I work with our suppliers, distribution centres and stores to optimise the inventory flow and availability to our customers,” he said.

“My role in the Middle East is similar because there are multiple stakeholders and tight time-frames, with the requirement to keep customers satisfied.

“In my military role there’s a lot more deliberate planning with the ability to react instantly to a crisis, which in turn is a skill I take back to my role with Coles.”

Due to Lt Toussaint’s prominent role in the task force, he has to deal with a lot of responsibility.

The CJTF-OIR mission aims to eliminate the terrorist group Daesh and the threat they pose in Iraq, Syria, the region and the global community.

Made up of 71 nations and four organisations, it is the largest international coalition in history.

Lt Toussaint said he was proud to be a part of the fight against Daesh.

“The best part of my job is breaking down language barriers while working with different nations and cultures,” he said.

“I served full-time for fifteen years before I became a reservist, and this is my third deployment since I joined Air Force in 2001, and my second to the Middle East region.”

Australia contributes about 600 personnel to the task force, with most based in Iraq.