Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Katherine Dowd | The Kansas National Guard's 731st Transportation Company provided line-haul...... read more read more
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. (August 10, 2012)-Kansas Army National Guard’s 731st Transportation Company joined the Vibrant Response 13 exercise for the first time this year.
Kansas Army National Guard’s 731st Transportation Company joined the Vibrant Response 13 exercise for the first time this year.
“The 731st is providing line haul transportation assets to the 167th Theater Sustainment Command in support of Vibrant Response 13,” said Cpt. Jay Simecka, company commander, 731st Trans. Company.
Line haul transportation support units provide the means of transporting equipment, food, water, ice and other supplies to and from warehouses, distribution points, forward operating bases and other areas in support of the mission.
The 731st started their annual training by convoying to Camp Atterbury from Kansas.
“This was training in itself,” said Simecka. “We completed 20 to 30 METL (Mission Essential Task List) Tasks during the convoy.”
They drove 11 vehicles and 10 trailers during that convoy. Some challenges they were faced with included inclement weather and driving through big cities while trying to keep the convoy together. Simecka said the professionalism of the drivers made it a great experience and they arrived here with no problems.
VR13, for the 731st, means more than just being prepared to respond to a nuclear disaster. This helps them prepare for disasters close to home such as tornadoes, floods and harsh winters.
“We have responded to hurricanes in Louisiana, tornadoes, and floods close to home,” said 1st Sgt. Tim McClure, 731st. “We’ve also provided support to local farmers during icy winters,” he said.
The winters in Kansas can be so cold that hay bales put in the pastures become covered in ice, putting the cows in danger of starvation. The Kansas National Guard provided vehicle support to transport dry hay to the cow pastures.
“This mission ties in to our real world mission. It gives us the chance to practice our normal operations, to train on new operations and to give soldiers experience with what they signed up to do,” said McClure. “And our soldiers are doing a great job.”
| Date Taken: | 08.10.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2012 14:57 |
| Story ID: | 92993 |
| Location: | CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, US |
| Hometown: | HAYS, KS, US |
| Hometown: | LIBERAL, KS, US |
| Hometown: | WICHITA, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 441 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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