Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Felix Fimbres | Capt. William Yee, 1394th Transportation Brigade safety officer, talks with Spc....... read more read more
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SOUTHPORT, N.C. – Army Reserve Soldiers with the 211th Inland Cargo Transfer Company located in Garden Grove, California, traveled across the country to the largest military terminal in the world, Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point, to assist in Operation Transmariner 15 during their annual training.
The mission brought Soldiers from California, Florida and Puerto Rico together to improve not only their transportation skills but to accomplish a national strategic mission as well.
“We are downloading a vessel that contained cargo that needed to be placed into storage,” said Staff Sgt. Davian Gray, officer in charge of the mission for the 211th. “We’re working with our own unit, as well as other Army units and civilians.”
Once the cargo is unloaded the Soldiers transport it with MH-878s, known as “yard dogs,” to staging points throughout the installation. Material handling equipment, fork lifts, are used to offload cargo from the truck at inspection locations where Soldiers then unload and inspect the cargo. Once everything has been inspected, repaired, or removed, due to deficiencies the cargo is then ready for shipment to its final destination.
The Army units have been integrated to improve team building skills, and civilian port workers are there every step of the way either assisting or providing guidance.
Gray said working with the other Army units here has gone smooth because he and his Soldiers are used to working with other Army units.
“The pace has been good,” said Spc. Terrence Leonard, who is a motor transport operator with the 211th. “This is my eighth day here and the mission has been very smooth. There’s no rush because we want everything to be done safely.”
Leonard has enjoyed the mission so far since the work environment is different from what they are used to operating in.
“Usually we’re in the field, putting up tents and working on our soldiering skills, but for this mission, I get to take a warm shower every night in a nice clean environment,” said Leonard.
Beyond safety and hot showers, the 211th has enjoyed the opportunity to train and get practical hands-on experience with the equipment in a real port environment.
“I’m a driver but I’m also a noncommissioned officer, so I’m making sure all my Soldiers get time behind the wheel for the experience and the training,” said Sgt. Yesenia Markel, a cargo specialist, who is also a stay-at-home mom for two boys, ages 2 and 9 months old. “Being in the Army Reserve gives me something to do besides being home. I enjoy the challenge and the opportunity to serve my country.”
An unusually cold winter here has been a challenge for the unit from sunny California, who are not used to the freezing conditions.
“The weather has been cold; so cold. It rained and then it froze, and operations were shut down for a day because of the conditions. We definitely had to adjust being from California. But it’s been fun and it’s been a good experience because it gets us outside of our element,” said Markel.
The conditions are also a reminder to other leaders that soldiers need to be prepared for a wide variety of conditions regardless of where they might be going.
“When you’re going anywhere, make sure your Soldiers have all their gear and are ready for all sorts of weather,” said Gray.
The 211th Inland Transportation Company will be in North Carolina until the end of the week before returning home to friends, family, and their civilian lives. However, they’ll return better prepared for future missions.
| Date Taken: | 03.05.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.05.2015 18:44 |
| Story ID: | 156109 |
| Location: | SOUTHPORT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 422 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
This work, Soldiers participate in Operation Transmariner 15 to get supplies back into the fight, by SFC Felix Fimbres, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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