Snow-mageddon doesn’t Stop Training

ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES

01.27.2016

Story by Capt. Dianna Pegeuese 

143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

On January 22, the massive superstorm Jonas struck the mid-Atlantic area, dropping over to feet of snow. The caused the War Fighter exercise start date to be rescheduled for both participating and supporting units. As a result of the storm, activities in most of the Mid-Atlantic States came to a halt. Movement for forces on the ground or those units that were enroute to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst by convoy was impacted. “Due to this minor crisis this allowed the 143d as a whole to fully execute Mission Command with all our units across the South Eastern United States,” said Brig. Gen. Francisco Espaillat, Commanding General, 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).

This affected the 143d ESC and subordinate units tremendously, back at the headquarters in Orlando Soldiers were dealing with multiple flight cancellations, where as the units convoying had a greater risk with black ice and maneuvering tactical vehicles through snow. Planning the fly out prior to the arrival of the main body Espaillat was able to gain a clearer picture of the crisis that lay ahead. When arriving on the scene the decision was made to halt all convoys for the units that were convoying to the area, while the Headquarters in Orlando continued to face multiple flight cancellations.

With more than 1500 Soldiers on the ground ready to train, it was starting to look as if the exercise might have hit a snag. There was uncertainty among Soldiers whether they would execute the training or return back home to their home stations.

However, one Soldier from the unit’s advance party believed the snow blizzard was not going to place a halt on Army training. “We have been in this situation before back in 1996, when the area was hit with a major blizzard prior to our exercise, this time the JBMDL was well prepared and so were we”, says Master Sgt. Roberto Marrero, G3 NCOIC, 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

The aftermath of the blizzard left the training area buried under more than 30 inches of snow, leaving the Advance Party with a lot more work to accomplish with minimal people. Digging through snow to set up the Tactical Operation Center (TOC) area, and clear walkways for the sleep tents, they worked hard and effortlessly with minimal crew to ensure the Main Body was ready to jump into training.

Days behind the actual start of the exercise the 143rd ESC Main Body arrived eager to start training as the Higher Headquarters element oversaw the training and operations to their subordinate units.

“It was amazing to see to see our logisticians in action, utilizing the Military Decision Making Process to tackle our enemy the snow,” “Our sustainers are the life of any operation, says, Command Sgt. Maj. Orlando Santiago, CSM, 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).

• Date Taken: 01.27.2016
• Date Posted: 04.03.2016 16:44
• Story ID: 194215
• Location: ORLANDO, FL, US