2-1 Cav. Div., 598th Trans. Bde. and 16th Sust. Bde. enhance US military combat force throughout Europe

Photo By Staff Sgt. Kyle Larsen | An M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle drives off of a cargo ship at the Port of Vlissingen, Netherlands, Oct. 13, 2019. Approximately 2,250 pieces of equipment from 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, deployed to the Netherlands as they begin their nine-month rotation in support of Atlantic Resolve, which enhances the United States’ capabilities to deploy combat credible forces globally. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kyle Larsen.)  

PORT OF VLISSINGEN, NETHERLANDS

10.15.2019

Story by Sgt. Kyle Larsen 

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

2-1 Cav. Div., 598th Trans. Bde. and 16th Sust. Bde. enhance US military combat force throughout Europe
U.S. Army Story by Sgt. Kyle Larsen
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Combat credible forces throughout the European theater were drastically increased Oct. 10-17, as a partial shipment of military vehicles arrived by cargo ship at the Port of Vlissingen, Netherlands.

Throughout the port operation, that will occur near simultaneously in seven different countries and eight different seaports, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division is scheduled to receive approximately 85 tanks, 120 Bradley fighting vehicles, 15 Paladins, 500 tracked vehicles, 1200 wheeled vehicles and pieces of equipment and 300 trailers.

The first ship, named the Green Ridge, was the first to dock in the late hours of Oct. 10, 2019, marking the start of a nine-month rotation for the 2nd ABCT in support of Atlantic Resolve. The ship carried just over 900 pieces of military equipment ranging from M1A2 Abrams tanks to armored generator trailers.

The operation in Vlissingen set a new Atlantic Resolve precedence in transportation of personnel and equipment as this is the first time an armored brigade combat team has been deployed from the continental U.S. to the Netherlands by vessel. Adding this capability greatly improves U.S. Army Europe’s ability to quickly and effectively deploy units throughout the European region to combat various threats from potential adversaries.

The massive amount of equipment was separated into four different methods of shipment from the port to various locations throughout Europe. The 598th Transportation Brigade is overseeing the port operations for different countries and ports. This is an ambitious endeavor as this operation shipped more than double the last large shipment that the U.S. Army routed through the Netherlands in Rotterdam two years prior.

“This mission is historic because this is the first time that we have operated here in Vlissingen, Netherlands, at this particular port since Atlantic Resolve rotations began back in 2016,” said Col. Jin Pak, the 598th Tran. Bde. commander. “All of the support from the host nation and supporting units have made this operation possible. We have Soldiers from the 598th Transportation Brigade along with our subordinate battalion, the 838th Transportation Battalion, local Dutch military and the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, but also the ‘Blackjack Brigade’ [2ABCT] deployed about 200 Soldiers to the port as port support activity and without their assistance, we could not accomplish this mission.”

As the Soldiers from 2nd ABCT climbed in their respective vehicles, leadership could be heard directing the Soldiers where to position themselves in order to move the vehicles quickly and safely. While those Soldiers were getting positioned on the vessel, the others grabbed bright yellow reflective belts and orange vests to ensure they could be seen, as their task was to guide the drivers with bright lights and hand signals during low-visibility hours.

“To get the vehicles off the ship and prepared for their next movement, we have a team down on the port, who will mark them with numbers,” said Spc. Michael Thompson, a cargo specialist with the 1st Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sust. Bde. out of Grafenwoehr, Germany. “If the vehicles are 80 through 92, they will be directed to the storage facility assigned for convoy operations and I will ground guide them to the lane they are supposed to be in.”

Through all the rain and wind, the Soldiers assigned the daunting task of unloading the impressive haul never lost their motivation, many of them expressing their enjoyment of the mission. The local logistics support provided the approximately 200 2nd ABCT Soldiers with tents, bunk beds, mattresses and even Wi-Fi capabilities.

Once the vehicles scheduled for line-haul, rail-head and convoy operations leave the port yard in Vlissingen, the 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st TSC, pick-up accountability for the successful transportation of the equipment throughout Europe. One of the things the sustainment brigade assisted with was coordination of local or military police escorts for the convoy throughout the duration of their travel.

“There are 13 serials total in the convoy, with approximately 20 vehicles in each serial,” said the Goldsboro, North Carolina native, Thompson. “The journey will be approximately 240 kilometers, with rest stops along the way for the Soldiers to take breaks and have food and water.”

As one of the premier armored brigade combat teams in the U.S. Army, 2nd ABCT is the 5th rotation of an armored brigade to participate in a nine-month rotation of Atlantic Resolve. The ability to deploy an entire armored brigade demonstrates the United States’ dedication to enhancing NATO Allies and partner nations’ security and readiness along their borders.

“Atlantic Resolve is a great opportunity for us to continue to build our operational readiness across the brigade combat team,” said Col. Jeremy S. Wilson, commander 2nd ABCT, 1st Cav. Div., which is based out of Ft. Hood, Texas. “I think one of the most important things is the wonderful opportunity we have to work with our partners and Allies.”

Throughout the rotation, 2nd ABCT will demonstrate their ability to collaborate with NATO and partner militaries, while participating in multinational exercises, such as Dynamic Front and Combined Resolve. During these exercises, the armored brigade will display the total capabilities of a fully aligned armored brigade combat team to exhibit joint readiness and security across the European theater.

• Date Taken: 10.15.2019
• Date Posted: 10.17.2019 09:08
• Story ID: 347950
• Location: PORT OF VLISSINGEN, NL
• Hometown: BAUMHOLDER, RP, DE
• Hometown: KAISERSLAUTERN, RP, DE
• Hometown: FORT CAVAZOS, TX, US