3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command trains 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team on convoy equipment

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Behlin | Spc. William Tack, a native of Butler, Pa., native and driver with the 1st Battalion,...... read more read more

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Behlin | Spc. William Tack, a native of Butler, Pa., native and driver with the 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, shows Sgt. Antonio Serna, a gunner with the 56th Brigade Combat Team and native of Corpus Christi, Texas, the engine compartment of a Caiman Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle during the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Convoy Security Company training at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The training gave 56th BCT Soldiers the opportunity to train on the vehicles they will be operating and maintaining in Iraq during their deployment.  see less | View Image Page

BALAD, IRAQ

12.08.2008

Story by Spc. Michael Behlin 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

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By Michael Behlin
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – A safety official of the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) reported last month during a quarterly safety council meeting, that there had been 51 Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle rollovers between November 2007 and August 2008. This number could decrease in the near future.

While training Soldiers on vehicles they will be using in theater is important, the overall message and objective of the 3rd ESC Convoy Security Company training was safety.

This new training package is currently based at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

Traditionally, Soldiers arriving in theater go through a "left-seat, right-seat ride" transition during which departing units spend a week training the incoming unit on its operation methods, and a week observing the new unit perform those methods.

This is also the first time many Soldiers come in contact with the MRAPs, M1117 Armored Security Vehicles, and other various forms of up-armored Humvees.

Although units receive training on numerous tasks at mobilization sites, there are no formal training programs on MRAPs and ASVs.

Viewing the accident rate in country, 3rd ESC commanding general, Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, decided that something had to be done to mitigate this problem for the 56th and 81st Brigade Combat Teams, two incoming convoy security units.

The 3rd ESC created a specialized training to prepare convoy security units to operate and maintain the vehicles they will use.

Overseeing the CSC for the 3d ESC is plans officer, Lt. Col. Alexander Greenwich, stationed out of Fort Knox, Ky.

"This is a unique situation down here, because this is the first time that a major subordinate element has taken equipment and personnel out of their mission to provide a ready and relevant force before they go into the transfer of authority operations and take over missions in Iraq," said Greenwich. "We deem this as really critical because the mission that they're going to have is outside of the wire all of the time. They need to have the skill sets available to them before they get into country so that they can begin executing safely and with the abilities to make sure they get home safely after their tour is complete."

The CSC is comprised of maintenance, operator and training assistance teams, and designed to incorporate the tactics, techniques and procedures from Soldiers who have been executing convoys during their deployment.

These teams are made up of Soldiers from units throughout Iraq to include the 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 7th Sustainment Brigade, and the 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Sustainment Brigade. Soldiers from these units have been working to train their replacements.

"We've used this opportunity to let these guys actually get into the vehicles and get a little experience with them," said Staff Sgt. Michael Webb, a truck commander for the 1-206th FA and a Conway, Ark., native. "The troops have been very motivated and eager to train, soaking up all of the knowledge they could during this time."

Webb said the knowledge has been valuable thus far to Soldiers participating in the CSC training. During the training, Soldiers had the opportunity to learn the different vehicle platforms of the MRAP, ASV and humvee, which all have varying requirements.

The CSC training consists of different phases in which Soldiers learn the in's and out's of the military vehicles, from the driver's seat to the gunners hatch.

While participating in the CSC training, Soldiers were briefed on the different capabilities of each vehicle and its strong and weak points.

There were also phases in which Soldiers were able to take the vehicles out on simulated convoys and go through live-fire exercises, that tested how they would react in a wartime situation.

"The training here at Camp Buehring has been very good so far," said Spc. Phillip Manculic, a Killeen, Texas, native and a driver for the 56th BCT. "I'm beginning to feel comfortable with the MRAP and from what I can tell so far, it's a very impressive vehicle. Even though I haven't driven one in Iraq yet, I feel safer with this vehicle already."

For the light wheel mechanics present during the training, training was available to prepare them on the mechanical operations of the different vehicles. The wheel mechanics came in handy when a vehicle in the training would break down, allowing for an opportunity to fix a real mechanical problem.

According to many trainers of the CSC operation, Soldiers having the opportunity to maintain and operate these vehicles would provide an added measure of safety throughout the BCT's deployment.

Thus far, Greenwich has deemed the CSC training to be successful. While the training will be coming to an end soon, he said he feels safer operations will occur for the 56th and 81st BCT Soldiers, especially having the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Army's current vehicles.

"We are reaching out and executing the mission with deliberate training; Soldiers talking to Soldiers, NCOs talking to NCOs and making sure that they understand the importance of learning about their skill sets here," Greenwich said.

"We've had an incredible amount of success here, reaching out to the Soldiers, getting them to understand their mission and go north. With the confidence that they can operate their equipment and execute their mission," he said.