Heavy Equipment Transporter operators train hard

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Charles Nichols, a Huntersville, N.C., native and a motor transport operator with the 1483rd Transportation Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and Spc. Laurie Morbitzer, who is a motor transport operator with the 1483rd TC, and a Meigs, Ohio, resident, watch the tires of the Heavy Equipment Transporter trailer to ensure the soldier driving the HET system through the mock checkpoint does not hit any barriers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Corine Margetiak)  

TAJI, IRAQ

12.19.2009

Courtesy Story

13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command (13th ESC)

By Spc. Corine Margetiak

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Throughout November, Heavy Equipment Transporter operators from the 1483rd Transportation Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), spent many hours driving the HETs around a course of barriers set up by their commander, executive officer, and first sergeant to replicate Iraqi checkpoints. For twelve hours a day, three to four HETs at a time and over 100 Soldiers to go through the course, the soldiers' days were long.

During the daylight hours, Soldiers practiced isolating axles on the trailers using chains or binders while other soldiers were in the HETs driving through a course of cones set up to resemble a serpentine and check point. After nightfall, each Soldier had to drive through the barriers twice without touching any barrier. The training was helpful for some, but frustration was the emotion of the majority.

"For people who don't know how to do it, it was helpful", said Pfc. Megan Szymanowski, a motor transport operator from Maumee, Ohio.

"With the barriers of the check point leaving only 3-4 inches of clearance on each side of this vehicle, the largest vehicle in the Army inventory, frustration could be felt by almost everybody," said Spc. Kenneth Combs, a motor transport operator with the 1483rd TC, and a Wintersville, Ohio native. "When a soldier couldn't make it through the check point, they had to back up and start over again."

"Driving isn't always easy; some soldiers had to go through three times before finally getting through, but relief struck all as each soldier made it," Combs added. "I'm glad I'm done...," said Szymanowski happily.

• Date Taken: 12.19.2009
• Date Posted: 12.30.2009 15:26
• Story ID: 43301
• Location: TAJI, IQ