57th JLTF Trains for Long-Haul Missions

Photo By 1st Lt. Ryan Pace | Sgt. Jimmy Jimenez buckles into his seat inside one of the M915 Tractor-Trailer Truck, practicing with another soldier on straight-line backing and controlled stopping with fellow members of the 57th Joint Logistics Task Force - Transportation Battalion in Kuwait.  

KUWAIT

11.29.2006

Story by 1st Lt. Ryan Pace 

143rd Transportation Command

By 1st Lt. Ryan J. Pace
143rd Transportation Command

Kuwait- The Army Reserves' 57th Joint Logistics Task Force members train as newcomers to Kuwait in preparation for long-haul missions across Kuwait and Iraq. Soldiers from the 222nd Transportation Company and 57th JLTF trained together to prepare the units to transfer authority and ensure a smooth transition of duty in a rigorous but vital mission.

The 57th JLTF is currently fine polishing its skills with an 8-hour, week-long course in battle drills, convoy operation and different common driving tasks on the Army's M915 Heavy Motor Transport Trucks to refresh soldiers in their specialty skill for a long and demanding tour.

Spc. Jesse Frantz, of the 57th JLTF, commented, "The Hazmat and Defensive Driving classed helped a lot; I Learned from others' convoy experiences on what to expect and how to react," following his 3 days of classroom instruction, before stepping behind the wheel for applied drivers training.

The 57th will be faced with the arduous task of replacing another unit, traveling as much as 800 miles per mission for up to 30 missions per week- split up among its 25 soldiers.

594th Trans convoy vet, Spc. Bruce Bendler, summarized the course in saying, "The training this week was a slight progression from my last tour, but because this was done by active duty instructors- I believe the approach was different and more beneficial."

While most of the soldiers are motor transport operators, boat crewman and maintenance repairmen, many find themselves serving as convoy vehicle drivers and gunners, providing vital logistic and security force support to an essential mission.

"Our driver's training on the 915 was a refresher course from mobilization training," said Sgt. Jimmy Jimenez, 222nd TC, "It was at the platoon level, and gave us the standard to watch out for and tools to get our mission done."

The actual course lanes consisted of straight-line backing, serpentine training, controlled stopping and blind-side docking.

For familiarization in normal day-to-day tasks of a motor transport operator, units continue to include various forms of logistics training to give soldiers a full understanding of the road that lay ahead, regardless of their job, as the ability to keep soldiers combat ready and flexible to missions becomes ever more relevant.

"The training here is much more in-depth to enemy reaction vs. before, there was really no threat on the roads; Regardless of if you are combat service support or anything else, you will definitely see action," said Bendler.

• Date Taken: 11.29.2006
• Date Posted: 11.30.2006 09:45
• Story ID: 8438
• Location: KW