Photo By Lt. Col. Brandon Mace | U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Kristina Samuel, commander of the 453rd Transportation Company...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 453rd Transportation Company, based in Houston, Texas, provided logistical support during WAREX (Warrior Exercise) 78-17-01, Mar. 18 to Apr. 1, 2017.
Since Sep. 11, 2001, more than 300,000 Army Reserve Soldiers have deployed to support the Total Army and Joint Force. Operations like WAREX 78-17-01 provide real-world training opportunities for today’s U.S. Army Reserve ensuring they remain the most lethal, capable and combat-ready federal reserve force in the history of our nation.
U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 453rd TC were tasked with controlling the flow of equipment and vehicles into and out of the operation. As a part of their duties the Soldiers ran an In-processing Transportation Office and a Central Receiving and Shipping Point throughout the operation.
The unit faced several challenges as they hit the ground but overcame them quickly as junior Soldiers stepped up to fill key leadership and non-commissioned officer positions.
“When we came out here we had 12 NCOs total, and that included the NCOICs at the different sites,” said U.S. Army Reserve 1st Lt. Kristina Samuel, 453rd TC commander. “The E4s really had to play a part in stepping up and holding key positions such as sergeant of the guard, overseeing certain details that had to get done, and in the maintenance crew. They have really gotten a chance to step up and show what they can do for the company. I love it, they surprise me every day, it’s amazing.”
This was U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Christina Pool’s first WAREX.
“This is the closest to a deployment so far,” said Pool, 453rd TC Cargo Specialist. “I feel like a WAREX prepares you for deployment. That way you can iron out what it is that we can improve on before actually going somewhere and then have these problems arise. We already know how to deal with it.”
In addition to overcoming leadership challenges, the weather was cold, often times below zero with wind chills pushing it even lower.
“This is very good training,” said U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Nathan Butler, 453rd TC Cargo Specialist. “It is good training to be out in the cold, its good training to be uncomfortable, because in a real-life situation that’s how you’re going to be. You’re either going to be cold, or you’re going to be hot, or you’re going to be uncomfortable, and that’s why we do it.”
The 453rd is a part of the 90th Sustainment Brigade and the 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). The command has units throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. As part of America’s Army Reserve, these units are trained, combat-ready and equipped to provide military and logistical support in any corner of the globe.
| Date Taken: | 03.23.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.27.2017 18:06 |
| Story ID: | 228236 |
| Location: | FORT DIX, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 143 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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