Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alexander Burnett | Sgt. Bryan Rose, a watercraft operator assigned to the 97th Transportation Company,...... read more read more
SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Army is an organization that uses a variety of technologies and methods of transportation to accomplish the mission. Different units have different capabilities, making them a unique asset to the fight. It is not uncommon for one unit to lend its expertise to aid another.
Soldiers from the 10th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade assisted the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, in the execution of a waterborne deployment readiness exercise in Savannah, Ga., April 11 and 12.
The ‘Waterborne’ Battalion joined with the 703rd Bn. to conduct a deployment readiness exercise that utilized Army watercraft assets. The Land Craft Utility 2011 "Chickahominy" and the Logistical Support Vessel 1 "Gen. Frank S. Besson Jr.," both belonging to 10th Bn., sailed from Fort Eustis, Va. to Savannah, Ga., to begin the exercise. The 10th Bn. also sent soldiers their own 359th Inland Cargo Transfer Company and 149th Seaport Operations Company to aid in loading the ‘Vanguard’ Battalion’s cargo.
“The mission here is to conduct a platoon-sized deployment readiness exercise while incorporating full spectrum operations,” said Lt. Col. Nathan Schwarz, the 703rd Bn. commander. “The use of watercraft for this exercise gives our soldiers real experience in preparation for deployment and lets them train with vehicles they may not be familiar with.”
Once the 10th Bn. vessels and personnel arrived at the port in Georgia, they immediately began assessing the situation for loading cargo. A team of seven soldiers aided each vessel’s crew in staging 15 vehicles and securing them to the ships. The LSV-1 also staged two personnel pods to the deck which served as living quarters for over 30 703rd Bn. Soldiers accompanying the vehicles.
“Being able to assist the vessel crew in loading and securing these vehicles is an awesome chance for us,” said Spc. John Rulong, a transportation specialist assigned to the 359th ICTC and one of the soldiers helping secure vehicles on the LCU-2011. “Not only are we getting to work with Army watercraft, but we get to help the 3rd Infantry Division in their training mission.”
The vessels and personnel sailed over 18 hours and over 120 miles to Port Mayport, Fla. While at sea, the ‘Vanguard’ soldiers conducted a waterborne gunnery, firing the M2 .50-caliber machine gun and the 240B machine gun at targets in the water.
The LCU-2011 arrived in Fla. first and the 703rd soldiers drove their vehicles off the vessel and on to the beach. The LSV-1 arrived several hours later and their vehicles were craned off the vessel by Marine Corp personnel.
“Getting to drive the vehicles off the ship was an incredible experience that most soldiers may never get to experience,” said Sgt. Keith Glaze, a medic assigned to the 703rd Bn. “That is the first time a got to sail on a ship and then drive a vehicle off of it.”
Once all personnel and cargo were safety transported to Fla. the "Waterborne" Battalion’s mission was complete. Command teams from both battalions intend to conduct full spectrum training together again in the future.
| Date Taken: | 04.12.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2012 18:27 |
| Story ID: | 86892 |
| Location: | SAVANNAH, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 203 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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