'All Vics, we are Oscar Mike': MWSS-274 saves money, assets with logistics convoys

Photo By Cpl. Ryan Rholes | Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Forward are...... read more read more

Photo By Cpl. Ryan Rholes | Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Forward are hit by a heavy sand storm during their convoy home to Camp Leatherneck from Camp Dwyer, June 1. Their return trip took about nine hours.  see less | View Image Page

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

06.03.2010

Story by Cpl. Ryan Rholes 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

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HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – This ain't no Sunday joy ride – it's a trip through what is arguably the most dangerous province in the world on what barely constitutes a road under constant threat of ambush and improvised explosive devices.

This is the life of the warriors from the motor transportation platoon of Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), who put their lives on the line to move mission-essential equipment around Helmand province.

More than 20 of these Marines and one Navy corpsman geared up and embedded six of their vehicles into a convoy with the Army's 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion May 30 through June 1, to move equipment to the unit's detachment at Camp Dwyer. These road warriors spent almost 24 hours in their vehicles traveling to and from Dwyer battling sandstorms, blinding dust from preceding vehicles and loose dirt, known as "moon dust," capable of stopping their most powerful vehicles.

Yet their preplanning paid dividends. Although shifting loads and stuck vehicles halted the convoy at times, the Marines pushed through with all of their people, vehicles and gear intact.

"We had a few issues with our communications when we first started, but we got it worked out and the Marines did great," said Sgt. Gunther Osorio, a motor transport operator with MWSS-274. "We had a truck get stuck and had it out in two or three minutes; that is pretty amazing."

The Marines delivered sets of lights used to light Dwyer's flight line for landing, take off and taxiing; several pumps capable of delivering 600 gallons of fuel per minute for the refueling stations; and two 20-foot containers filled with small odds and ends needed to keep the Marines operational. It would have taken multiple aircraft to move the Marines' load alone, much less the added supplies transported by the Army.

Although aircraft play a major role in Afghanistan, having a unit attached to the wing capable of moving supplies across the ground is crucial. Convoys can access remote locations that cargo jets cannot, can move much larger amounts of cargo in one trip than a helicopter and costs the Marine Corps less money.

"Those two containers filled with gear would have taken a C-130 themselves," said Gunnery Sgt. David Olson, the motor transport operations chief. "Space definitely plays a part."

Vehicles used to conduct convoys also require less maintenance than most helicopters. As long as a vehicle completes a run without unusual malfunctions, like bent axels or broken fan belts, it could be back on the road within a few hours if need be.

"As long as nothing unusual breaks, all you have to do is check the tires, liquids, fuel, clean the filters and it is pretty much good," said Olson.

Tasking for the unit's convoys originates with the I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) and makes its way all the way down to Olson, who assigns operators for the route based on experience, abilities and licenses.

"You obviously want your more experienced drivers on a more dangerous route, and you have to look at what vehicles you need and see who can operate it," said Olson.

MWSS-274 has no set amount of convoys, but conducted eight during May to different forward operating bases in Helmand.

Olson doesn't just have to assign drivers. Each convoy requires Marines to serve as assistant drivers and to operate weapons mounted on the vehicles. All of the squadron's gunners attended the machine gunner's course, earning secondary military occupational specialties as 0331s, or machine gunners. The entire platoon also attended enhanced Mojave Viper, which is a training package that puts the Marines through realistic scenarios including ambushes and improvised explosive device attacks.

Working for a command where the aircraft is king, these Marines are definitely the odd ones out. Yet, they are exceedingly vital to 3rd MAW (FWD) because they reduce the load on the wing's aircraft and save countless hours of maintenance. No matter how many aircraft you bring to a fight like this one, you have to put Marines on the ground to accomplish the mission.