2CR recovery operations during Saber Strike 18

Photo By 1st Lt. Michael Marks | Operators from the 3rd Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment and engineers from the Regimental Engineer Squadron, 2CR work together to accomplish the recovery of a Stryker with the assets on ground during Saber Strike 18, June 2018. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Johnathan Astashinsky)  

ROSE BARRACKS, BY, GERMANY

07.12.2018

Courtesy Story

2d Cavalry Regiment

Written by 1st Lt. Johnathan Astashinsky, Regimental Support Squadron, 2CR

Throughout Saber Strike 18, the allocation of recovery assets was a critical function associated with the Maintenance Company, Regimental Support Squadron’s mission. After a more than 1,200-kilometer road march, the 2d Cavalry Regiment began to execute its own combat exercises throughout the Baltics.

Master Sgt. Arturo Aguilar, maintenance control sergeant, Bravo Troop, RSS, 2CR, accompanied Chief Warrant Officer Desmond Johnson, service and recovery section chief, RSS, 2CR, on various reconnaissance missions to assess vehicle recovery. 2CR required recovery support from both the field support company and Bravo Troop, RSS, 2CR. In many cases, recovery assets were spread out across the regiment, requiring proper recovery assessment in order to keep the regiment’s combat power moving forward.

“Reconning the site is important so the correct recovery asset can be allocated to the mission,” explained Aguilar. “Typically, personnel on ground call for recovery assets that exceed the necessary requirements, which is why it is important that experienced recovery personnel recon the site.”

The first thing Aguilar and other qualified recovery personnel do when they arrive to a recovery site is to assess the terrain. Terrain has the largest impact on recovery capabilities. Next, the recovery teams determine the vehicle type. Once these two factors are assessed, the recovery team either uses assets on ground or calls for additional support.

“Experience plays a big role in recovery assessment because personnel on ground may not understand the recovery capabilities of their own equipment, which frees up recovery assets and crews for the rest of the regiment,” said Aguilar.

Even after evaluation, wrecker or Modular Catastrophic Recovery System support is typically a last resort. In most cases, the experience from the recovery reconnaissance element prevents unnecessary allocation of mission essential recovery assets and leads to self-recovery by the unit.

Due to the experience and hard work of the recovery teams, all 2CR units were able to shoot, move and communicate in accordance with their mission set. The regiment was able to not only accomplish its mission in the Baltics, but was also able to bring all of its personnel and equipment home safely thanks to the support of RSS, 2CR and the field support companies.

• Date Taken: 07.12.2018
• Date Posted: 07.18.2018 09:56
• Story ID: 283943
• Location: ROSE BARRACKS, BY, DE