TF Stilwell fuels Stryker convoy through Baltics

Photo By 1st Lt. Hannah Morgan | Pfc. Gabriel Ortiz, petroleum supply specialist and motor transport operator, 515th Transportation Company, 39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade and San Antonio, Texas native, refuels a 2nd Cavalry Regiment’s Stryker to sustain it on its 1,000-kilometer movement from Poland to Latvia. (Photo by 1st Lt. James Rojek, 39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade)  

MARIJAMPOLE, LITHUANIA

08.10.2015

Courtesy Story

16th Sustainment Brigade

By 1st Lt. James Rojek
39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade

MARIJAMPOLE, Lithuania – From the obscure training area of Nowa Deba in southeastern Poland through the outskirts of Warsaw up to Lithuania and ending near Riga, Latvia, four Strykers of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment’s Palehorse Troop moved through villages and along highways over a distance of 1,000 kilometers Aug. 8 to10.

Task Force Stilwell sustained the Strykers on their three-day journey through the three countries by providing fuel support through 515th Transportation Company, 39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade.

The Task Force supplied a fuel truck in each country, then accompanied the convoy to their respective border and passed the baton to the next team. Eight Task Force Stilwell Soldiers convoyed and made sure the four Strykers made it to Latvia.

“This is a great way to show our interoperability,” 2nd Lt. Regan Barr, convoy commander and platoon leader in 2nd Cavalry Regiment’s Palehorse Troop, said.

“This was a great experience to convoy with the Strykers,” said Pfc. Gabriel Ortiz, petroleum supply specialist and motor transport operator in 515th Trans. Co. and San Antonio, Texas native. “It was great to have hands-on experience.”

The convoy was part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which partners with NATO allies in the Baltics to demonstrate support. Moving four Strykers more than 600 miles showed a fraction of Strong Europe’s capabilities. The convoy exhibited to Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian allies, and other partners and

“2nd Cavalry had a smooth process and everything was executed like it was supposed to,” said Spc. Casey Desmuke, 515th Trans. Co. mechanic and San Antonio, Texas native.

Task Force Stilwell will collaborating again with Palehorse Troop’s return convoy and continue to show support for comrades in the Baltics.

• Date Taken: 08.10.2015
• Date Posted: 10.02.2015 04:06
• Story ID: 177820
• Location: MARIJAMPOLE, LT