'Gator' Rodeo Ropes More Driver Training

Courtesy Photo | Task Force Gator Soldiers learn a valuable lesson during the rodeo about the clearance of the HUMMWV. After trapping their vehicle on a large sand dune, the Soldiers had to dig out the vehicle.  

12.12.2006

Story by Capt. Michael Wallace 

377th Theater Sustainment Command

PRESS RELEASE
377th TSC (Forward)

CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait—Recently, a 'Truck Rodeo', a course that instills awareness of the harsh desert driving conditions, was taken by Task Force Gator soldiers. This course is usually reserved for Task Force Gator's training of international coalition forces that are supporting the United States in the Global War on Terrorism in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The rodeo was the project of platoon leader 1st Lt. Doug Iverson who was looking for training for his Soldiers because he saw the need due to the harsh desert conditions.

"My plan was to have a 'Rodeo' with Tactical Vehicles," said Iverson.

The course is basic obstacles requiring technical driving with no time limit. After briefing the operations order and assessing the risk assessment, the participants manned their vehicles and moved to the desert location where the rodeo was conducted.

Vehicles had to circumvent many obstacles—driving over gullies, over rough terrain and around marked boundaries—all designed to familiarize desert terrain to the drivers.

"The Gators have facilitated training for numerous coalition soldiers on this challenging desert course," said Lt. Col. Larry Hannan, TF Gator commander. "This is the coalition's 'final exam' course, so to speak. What is different here is that 1st Lt. Iverson and Sgt. 1st Class John Kuchera made this course extra challenging for the drivers."

The event was supposed to be a bonding event, but it also stressed the trainers as they watched their Soldiers conduct the runs. The first couple of runs through the obstacle course were rough because the sand was stiff which increased the risk. As the event went on things began to calm down and participants started to ease into proper vehicle handling procedures.

According to Sgt. Michael Jarvis, the soldiers all enjoyed the challenge put to them. "The training event was a great bonding experience for the platoon. We all had fun and were able to forget about some of the hardships of being here for a little bit. Over all, the event was greatly organized and planned."

The prize for the best vehicle operators was a phone card to call home—given to the two tied winners, Sgt. Peter Brown and Spc. Corey Porter. Both Soldiers admitted the event had a second unintended outcome—learning the capabilities of the HMMWV on sand, hills and shallow slopes to see its capabilities in the desert climate.

"The sand is a whole different animal than driving on a smooth road," said Sgt. 1st Class John Kuchera, the operations sergeant for Task Force Gator. "Now our Soldiers have a better understanding of equipment abilities and how that works into planning for missions in the future."

• Date Taken: 12.12.2006
• Date Posted: 12.22.2006 11:01
• Story ID: 8654