An East Tennesee Company Delivers Supplies to our Troops

Posted on November 2, 2011 with No Comments

Take a moment and look at the video from the newscast on WBIR that explains how we support our troops in Afghanistan.

Vanquish Worldwide Awarded Contract to Deliver Fuel Throughout Afghanistan

Posted on October 21, 2011 with No Comments

Vanquish Worldwide, LLC, an international company providing worldwide support services to the US Government and the commercial market sector, has been awarded, as part of the National Afghan Trucking (NAT) effort, a contract to deliver fuel throughout the various 400 plus US Military Forward Operating Bases located in Afghanistan.

This fuel provides the most basic of needs for approximately 98,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan. Given that Kabul is basically the only city in the country that has any form of city provided power all of these bases depend on the delivery of fuel to power the thousands of generators that must constantly run to provide electricity for everything you can imagine…computers, stoves, lights, etc. In addition, this fuel is used for vehicles driven by the military and civilians working on base, which in some cases, are like small self-contained cities.

Although this task may seem simple it is far from it. The majority of fuel that Vanquish delivers comes from Pakistan. In order to arrive at storage facilities in Kabul or Bagram these 5,000 and 10,000 gallon tanker trucks must make a long and dangerous 800 mile journey that can take upwards of 18 days to complete, which equates to less than 45 miles traveled per day, due to the conditions of the roads and the mountainous terrain. Because of the sheer value of the fuel, which can cost up to $15 per gallon by the time it is delivered; the possibility of pilferage and stolen trucks is very high. Due to these risks all convoys must be escorted by security personnel and equipped with state of the art GPS equipment so the location of the trucks can be continuously tracked.

According to the Pentagon, in an article released in June 2011, the US Government has spent $1.5 billion in fuel from October 2010 to May 2011. Given the expense and critical nature of the fuel Vanquish Worldwide takes the mission at hand very seriously. All precautions are taken as to minimize the risks involved in what is considered the most dangerous of all movements in Afghanistan.

“Vanquish’s experience with the arduous terrain, sometimes severe climate conditions and the hundreds of routes required to deliver to all of the involved locations gives us an understanding of how to successfully deliver this precious resource while taking all the necessary security precautions. The safety of our employees is of the utmost importance”, said Eric Barton, President and CEO.

Vanquish is a certified service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) with significant experience working in combat theaters and developing nations as well as other austere environments. Their services include construction, life support, manpower, security, vehicle maintenance, and transportation. Vanquish is headquartered just outside of Maryville, TN with offices in Afghanistan, Uganda, and Iraq.

Thomas Bay Gypsy Vanner Stallion Moving to the US!

Posted on September 22, 2011 with No Comments

Vanquish Awarded $983 Million US Central Command IDIQ Contract

Posted on September 19, 2011 with No Comments

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (September 15, 2011) Vanquish Worldwide, LLC, an international company providing worldwide support services to the US Government and the commercial market sector, has been awarded a prime contract by the US Central Command for National Afghan Trucking (NAT). Vanquish Worldwide will be distributing reconstruction material, security equipment, fuel, miscellaneous dry cargo, and life support assets throughout Afghanistan.

This mission- critical contract directly supports US troops in the war zone by providing necessities to Forward Operating Bases to provide the US Military with the supplies they need to successfully execute their mission Afghanistan wide. Vanquish Worldwide provides all management and logistics support resources necessary to pick up material and equipment at origin and deliver material and equipment at destination. Vanquish, along with their local national transportation and security teaming partners, will travel to some of the most dangerous parts of the country.  To help ensure their employees and cargo arrive safely, each mission will have an assigned convoy security team and will be tracked by the Vanquish Tactical Operations Center (TOC) professionals utilizing a multi-million dollar state of the art GPS tracking system.

Vanquish’s local partners are vetted and experienced in the secure movement of materials around Afghanistan.  They currently conduct more than 1200 truck movements per month to all parts of the country.  Their Afghan partners have experienced, well trained, and well equipped convoy teams with knowledge of the terrain and roads for which they travel on a daily basis.

Vanquish is a certified service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) with significant experience working in combat theaters and developing nations as well as other austere environments. Their services include construction, life support, manpower, security, vehicle maintenance, and transportation. Vanquish is headquartered just outside of Maryville, TN with offices in Afghanistan, Uganda, and Iraq.  www.govanquish.com

My Brother Awarded Locally for His Service

Posted on August 23, 2011 with No Comments

The link below is a story about my brother receiving a specialty carved cane from the wood carvers of Tumecula Valley. I am very proud of him and his service to our country!

Our Dobermans Sonny and Terra

Posted on August 21, 2011 with No Comments

Here are a few pictures of our dobermans Sonny and Terra. Sonny is the showman, having won many ribbons and awards. Terra had her first litter of puppies this year. We bottle fed all 12 of them for six weeks because there were so many Terra couldn’t keep up! It was a great experience and a tremendous amount of work.

It is true what they say about a dog being man’s best friend!

LexLin Gypsy Ranch Donates Old No. 7

Posted on August 10, 2011 with No Comments

It was a hot, sunny Saturday when we arrived at in Humboldt, TN on July 23, 2011 but that didn’t keep all of friends, family and community away! We were greeted with a fantastic reception as we drove with people clapping and waving anxiously awaiting Old No. 7’s arrival. There was a TV setup with a video on TLC and its mission, a great scrap book of some of their students and more information on AGHAF and LexLin Gypsy Ranch.  TLC Riding Academy was founded in 2006, as a therapeutic horseback riding program for persons with disabilities.  Horses are used at TLC to assist with activities that help individuals with physical and emotional challenges.  They assist all ages of people from young children to adults in their 80’s. There is a small per hour charge fee for lessons/activities but no one is turned away for their inability to pay! There is no doubt that Cheryl and Tom who own and run the academy do it out of a great love for people and horses.

We look forward to updates from TLC on how Old No. 7 is fitting with all their other horses. Tom and Cheryl have a great facility and we can tell Old No. 7 will be showered with love and affection just by the short time we spent there.

You can read more about TLC on their website, www.tlcridingacademyinc.org.

Name This Vanner Contest

Posted on July 31, 2011 with No Comments

LexLin needs your help! We have a gorgeous Gyspy Vanner filly, born on July 12, 2011 that needs a name so we thought we would ask all of our Facebook fans to give us their input.

Our new little girls dam is Fiddle and her sire is Sir Maverick (this is his first US born foal). You can visit Fiddle’s Filly page to see more pictures and meet Sir Maverick and Fiddle.

How the Contest Works

All you need to do to enter your name suggestions is comment on the contest promotion ad on our Facebook Fan page. You can enter as many times as you like from August 1st to August 15. We will select some of our favorite names and take your votes by “liking” the chosen names from August 16th to September 1st.

Do Not Miss Your Chance to Own a Gypsy Vanner for 50% Off

Posted on July 1, 2011 with No Comments

As the peak of breeding season comes to a close at LexLin Gypsy Ranch we wanted to celebrate a great month by featuring several promotions. We have an exciting offer for anyone that is looking for an exceptional way to bring home two Gypsy Vanner horses or if you have a friend, family member, or colleague that has been searching for a horse as well why not go into together and  purchase any Gypsy Horse at their listed price between June 26th and July 4th, 2011 and you’ll have a chance to purchase Swade, Relyant, Queenie, Christine or Lucy at 50% off their listed price on the website!

We have a diverse color, age and size selection of horses to choose from on our website, www.gogypsy.com. Whether you are looking for a trail riding horse, a show horse to travel with or just a pet Eric and Mechelle can find the perfect match.

Take advantage of this opportunity…it won’t last long!

LexLin Gypsy Ranch Honors Our Heroes Featured On WBIR

Posted on June 6, 2011 with No Comments

Our feature story about LexLin’s Braveheart aired on WBIR Friday, June 3, 2011. Take a moment to check it out here!

LexLin's Braveheart

Thanks to the folks at Channel 10 for helping us spread the word about our Gypsy Vanner horse that will be given to a veteran on July 4, 2011.  For more details and to nominate a veteran near and dear to you complete a nomination form. We all owe our war heroes so much. Thanks to everyone who has sent in their nominations, they have been so thoughtful and joy to read!