1450th holds field training exercise

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Kaela Henasey, a native of State Road, N.C. assigned to 1450th CTC as a gunner, assists Sgt. Tess Smith, a native of North Wilkesboro, N.C. assigned to 1450th CTC as a truck commander, with the mine resistant ambush protected vehicle door Sept. 17, 2015 at FOB Gerber, Kuwait. (Photo by 1st Lt. Yvonne Isidro/Released)  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

09.15.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Aaron Duncan 

1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - The 3rd Platoon of 1450th Composite Truck Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, with Soldiers from other platoons within the company, conducted tactical convoy operation training Sept. 15-18 at forward operating base Gerber.

The company used this as a chance to train junior leaders to step up and lead, with many of the convoys headed by upcoming non-commissioned officers or recently promoted NCOs.

“Because of the deployment of many staff leaders, being sent on other missions, we were given the rare opportunity to let junior leaders lead,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert McClure, a native of Fleetwood, North Carolina, assigned to 1450th CTC as the third platoon sergeant, or the 'Outlaws' platoon. “Taking advantage of the opportunity, we focused on TLPs (convoy tactics, techniques, and procedures). We increased the stress on the training environment, to give them a real world feel to the missions they were given. All convoy commanders and assistant convoy commanders performed well. I feel that everyone took something home from the training event.”

During the training they were introduced to one of the hardest obstacles for a convoy to experience, which is integrating both convoy escorts and logistical elements along with Soldiers from other platoons. In order to accomplish the difficult task, Soldiers had to study convoy tactics, techniques, and procedures.

“I ran the third run as the convoy commander, my convoy being known as TP Carrol,” said Sgt. Derrick Cavenaugh, a native of Wilson, North Carolina, assigned to 1450th CTC as the company armorer and team leader within third platoon. “It was wonderful, I liked how it felt like a real life mission. [It] gave me a feel for what it would be like leading a security element within an actual convoy mission. The added real world situations being a plus.”

At FOB Gerber, the 1450th CTC conducted both daytime and nighttime operations using their night vision goggles along with the blackout functions on the vehicles.

The integration of so many different elements were not the only challenges posed to Soldiers. They were also tasked with providing convoy defense. Many of these scenarios involved reacting to either one or more improvised explosive devices. They also trained on how to treat a casualty on a convoy and reacted to contact.

There were a few incidents where the trainers decided to throw a monkey wrench into the convoy completely and forced the Soldiers to take a completely unplanned route.

“There was some differences, but there wasn’t that many differences between the scenarios,” said Sgt. Bryan Cyphers, a native of Statesville, North Carolina, assigned to 1450th CTC as a second platoon team leader. “However, when it came down to the day and night portions, the training became much harder. This was due to the low visibility at night, unable to see the IEDs, ambushing troops and all of that.”

With the training complete, the 1450th CTC resumed their role of keeping U.S. convoys safe.

• Date Taken: 09.15.2015
• Date Posted: 10.09.2015 10:47
• Story ID: 178568
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW
• Hometown: FLEETWOOD, NC, US
• Hometown: STATE ROAD, NC, US
• Hometown: STATESVILLE, NC, US
• Hometown: WILSON, NC, US