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On January 22, the massive superstorm Jonas struck the Mid-Atlantic region, dropping over ten feet of snow. This caused the Warfighter exercise start date to be rescheduled for both participating and supporting units. As a result of the storm, activities in most Mid-Atlantic states came to a halt. Movement for forces on the ground, as well as units en route to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst by convoy, was heavily impacted.
“Due to this crisis, the 143d as a whole was able to fully execute Mission Command with all our units across the Southeastern United States,” said Brig. Gen. Francisco Espaillat, commanding general, 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).
The storm affected the 143d ESC and its subordinate units tremendously. At the headquarters in Orlando, Soldiers dealt with multiple flight cancellations, while convoying units faced increased risk from black ice and the challenge of maneuvering tactical vehicles through snow. By planning and flying out prior to the arrival of the main body, Espaillat was able to gain a clearer picture of the situation ahead. Upon arrival, the decision was made to halt all convoys bound for the area, while the headquarters in Orlando continued to contend with repeated flight delays and cancellations. With more than 1,500 Soldiers already on the ground and ready to train, it began to appear that the exercise might be significantly delayed. Uncertainty grew among Soldiers as to whether training would continue or if they would be sent back to their home stations.
However, one Soldier from the unit’s advance party believed the blizzard would not stop Army training. “We have been in this situation before, back in 1996, when the area was hit with a major blizzard prior to an exercise,” said Master Sgt. Roberto Marrero, G-3 NCOIC, 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). “This time, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst was well prepared—and so were we.”
The aftermath of the storm left the training area buried under more than 30 inches of snow, giving the advance party an enormous task with minimal personnel. Digging through snow to establish the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) and clear walkways to the sleeping tents, they worked tirelessly to ensure the main body could immediately transition into training upon arrival.
Several days behind the original start date, the 143d ESC main body finally arrived, eager to begin training as the higher headquarters element assumed oversight of operations and subordinate units.
“It was amazing to see our logisticians in action, using the Military Decision-Making Process to tackle our enemy—the snow,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Orlando Santiago, command sergeant major, 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). “Our sustainers are the lifeline of every operation.”
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 01.25.2026 19:26 |
| Story ID: | 194215 |
| Location: | ORLANDO, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 113 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Snow-mageddon doesn’t Stop Training, by MAJ Dianna Pegeuese, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
