Tank travels across Suwalki gap

Courtesy Photo | SOCHACZEW, Poland - Soldiers prepare for onward movement after resting overnight, Feb. 21, 2017. A heavy equipment transporter (HET) team, comprised of American and British HETs, verified main supply routes capable of moving an M1A2 Abrams tank across the Suwalki gap, the gateway to the Baltic countries, on a convoy that started Feb. 20 in Germany en route to Estonia. (U.S. Army Photo by 2nd Lt. Connor Eulberg, 51st Comp. Truck Co., 18th Combat Sustainment Support Bn., 16th Sustainment Bde.)  

SUWALKI, POLAND

02.27.2017

Courtesy Story

16th Sustainment Brigade

By 2nd Lt. Connor Eulberg and Master Sgt. Lucas Pedigo
51st Composite Truck Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade

SUWALKI, Poland - A heavy equipment transporter team moved an M1A2 Abrams tank across the strategically important Suwalki Gap, the gateway to the Baltic countries, in a convoy that started Feb. 20 to validate the route.
Traveling from Germany to Estonia, 14 personnel from the 51st Composite Truck Company, and two tank operators from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted the convoy operation, consisting of several U.S. and British Heavy Equipment Transport Trucks and other vehicles to provide logistics and command and control for the convoy.
"The 16th Sustainment Brigade's HET proof of principle enables uninterrupted combat power projection, endurance, and operational reach in support of the United States Army Europe Forces,” said Col. Michelle M.T. Letcher, commander, 16th Sustainment Brigade. “Our junior leaders executing the convoy are validating freedom of movement and the ability to move combat power swiftly through multiple countries with multiple combat platforms."
The Suwalki Gap is a 60-mile corridor that runs along the Polish border with Lithuania. It separates the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad from Russian ally Belarus.
"This planning process has been in the works for months. It is really good to see it finally coming to a head with the Soldiers and junior leaders moving toward Estonia," said Master Sgt. Lucas Pedigo, senior truck master, 51st Comp. Truck Co., a native of Jacksonville, Illinois. “Diplomatic clearances, civilian road permits, march credits, safe havens, secure staging areas, and billeting had to be coordinated by the operations section. The non-commissioned officers in operations used every resource in their toolbox to reach out and coordinate with individuals in the five countries the convoy will validate routes through.”
Upon completion of the proof of principle, the ‘Steel Knights’ will have validated over 4,000 miles of heavy equipment transportation routes through Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, enabling greater freedom of movement and speed of assembly in the European theater. Ensuring freedom of movement for combat and logistical forces is key to sustaining a Strong Europe and enabling the U.S. and European forces across the width of the NATO alliance.
“In addition to validating main supply routes capable of transporting combat power, our HET team together with 3/4 ABCT is enhancing the NATO Alliance by assuring our Allies that we are committed to improving NATO’s maneuver and sustainment capabilities and consequently deterring aggression,” said Lt. Col. Robb A. Meert, commander, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
The 51st Comp. Truck Co., 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, maintains 18 British HET systems and 13 U.S. Army HET systems. The use of the U.S. HET system is restricted in Germany and Poland when carrying more than 60,000 pounds due to the level of pressure exerted by the tires on the road surface. Carrying an M1A2 with a U.S. M1000 trailer exceeds the weight limit of 12,000 pounds per axle. The longer British HET with seven axles allows the unit to transport armored vehicles.
“As a transporter/logistician, our mission is always to support, sustain and enable the warfighter,” said Capt. Ashian M. Izadi, commander, 51st Composite Truck Company. “Validating freedom of movement and operational reach from Germany through the Suwalki Gap to deliver combat power to the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, proves our ability to accomplish that mission. I am extremely proud of our Soldiers and their commitment to providing relentless support to our land forces throughout Europe,”

• Date Taken: 02.27.2017
• Date Posted: 02.27.2017 06:56
• Story ID: 224971
• Location: SUWALKI, PL