Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Leticia Samuels | Over 450 soldiers assigned to the 630th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, stand in...... read more read more
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FORT IRWIN, CALIF. – As the smoke settles and the dust clears, soldiers assigned to the 630th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion were successful in assisting the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division in the battle against the Donovian aggression and establishing the Atropian international border during their 16-07 National Training Center rotation, here, from June 4 to 26, 2016.
Ten Army National Guard and Reserve units from across the U. S. came together to form a consolidated workforce to support their warfighter counterparts, the 1/34th ABCT, by conducting logistics operations challenging their level of combat readiness while preparing the next generation of soldiers in conventional warfare.
“We have a very young staff of junior officers; many of them serving as lieutenants in captain roles. The commander and I wanted to see how they perform and handle the stress of a real-time warlike training environment,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Lloyd Payne, the 630th CSSB command sergeant major. “I was very impressed with how they handled themselves. We have some junior enlisted soldiers and NCOs (noncommissioned officers) as well that were performing roles above their pay grade, so it was interesting to see the dynamics of the way the team came together.”
“We as a CSSB definitely accomplished our mission,” said Lt. Col. Troy Holowiti, the battalion commander assigned to the 630th CSSB.
Once boots touch ground at the NTC, soldiers filter through a Reception Staging Onward-Movement Integration phase at the Rotational Unit Bivouac Area (RUBA) requiring the drawing and installation of Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems, ammunition, armor, and vehicles to enhance the realistic training-environment and scenarios soldiers are going to encounter “in the box.”
The mission of the 630th CSSB is to transport commodities such as food, water, ammunition, equipment and mechanical parts using convoy operations, while running the risk of encountering simulated Improvised Explosive Devices, direct and indirect fire from the enemy and mortar attacks.
“Of course through any exercise, you have hiccups along the way and you just have to adjust to them and overcome whatever obstacles come your way and we did just that,” said Holowiti. “As a logistician you have to be flexible, you have to be able to adjust to whatever the scenario is for the warfighters that are forward. As their (1/34th ABCT) phases change through out the battle and they went from offense to defense back to offense, it was good to see that we could react.”
Once prepped for battle, 630th CSSB tactically move to the Logistic Support Area Forward Operating Base Santa Fe, an operational area within the 52nd Infantry Division area of operation. The 1/34th ABCT operates as the warfighter supporting the 52nd ID.
“I think we were, as I understand the first CSSB to move and move everything from the RUBA in the manner that we did as efficiently and as quickly as we did,” said Payne. “Its is from my understanding that we moved back more quickly, retrograde, from Santa Fe than any other CSSB has done.”
During the 14-day period in the box, the 1454th Transportation Company worked with the 1452nd Combat Heavy Equipment Transporter Company and the other Guard and Reserve units running over 75 convoy missions resulting in the movement of 292 pallets of dry goods, 43 pallets of perishable items, 48,000 gallons of water, over 200,000 gallons of bulk fuel, 6 flat racks of construction materials, and 19 flat racks of mechanical vehicle parts.
“I wanted them to get those experiences and to see what it is like to function in the role of a transportation company and a CSSB supporting a fighting maneuver element,” said Capt. Bryan Thompson, the 1454th Transportation Company commander. “My task organization was a headquarters element, and two truck platoons. One of my truck platoons had a dedicated Hippo (Compatible Tank Rack) mission, so all they did was transported Hippos for the BSB (brigade support battalion). I had a HET (heavy equipment transporter) platoon underneath me and those are the members of the 1452nd. I also had members of the 1450th Transportation Company that added on in those truck platoon missions and once they got here they stood up a security platoon.”
“We had maintenance sections that traditionally on work on Humvees and PLS (palletized loading systems). Well here, they were able to work on LMTVs (light medium tactical vehicles), up-armored Humvees, and HET (Heavy equipment transporter) systems,” said Payne. “Even though it was the same MOS (military occupational specialty), they were exposed to different types of vehicles to work on and it honed their skill sets. I think it was just great exposure, not only from an MOS specific task, but also from the NG (National Guard) and Reserves and the different nuances we have.”
The North Carolina Army National Guard also broke a record for vehicle turn-in at an area containing staged vehicles used for transportation operations at the NTC also known as the ‘Pre-Po yard’. The standing record for turn-in in one day was under 50, but the NCARNG turned in 98 vehicles in one day.
“We eclipsed that more than twice, so again that is just NCNG, running it through and making sure that we are always ahead of the competition,” said Payne. “Setting the bar and setting the standard and whatever standard was set, taking it and just crushing it and moving the bar a little bit further.”
The 16-07 NTC rotation is Holowiti’s last training event as the battalion commander as he will be relinquishing his command over the 630th CSSB in July.
“Everybody would like to be in command longer, but I also understand that this opportunity is a true privilege to be able to serve at this level, and command at this level especially with the professionals that I have on staff,” said Holowiti. “What a great opportunity and a way to go out with a big bang!”
The NTC provides soldiers from the Reserves and active components with the capabilities to enhance their individual and collective readiness. This real-life hands-on training also gives N.C. Guardsman the opportunity to build on North Carolina’s R4 mantra of sustaining a ready, reliable, relevant and responsive force.
“I think it was a rather smashing success for the CSSB and the NCARNG. I think we represented the NCARNG very well, and I’m just proud to be apart of it,” said Payne.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2016 11:30 |
| Story ID: | 206805 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 158 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NCNG: NTC Mission accomplished, by SFC Leticia Samuels, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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