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By Lt. Col. Aaron L. Dorf
5th Armored Brigade, Division West
MCGREGOR RANGE, N.M. – Recovering a rolled tactical vehicle in combat is a complex and critical task. Doing it right requires that Soldiers receive formal training using realistic scenarios to build their proficiency prior to deployment.
To do so, each deploying unit assigned to a route clearance mission receives dedicated Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle recovery training on the route clearance equipment they will use in theater. Training provided by 3rd Battalion (Engineer), 364th Regiment (Task Force Rampant), 5th Armored Brigade, Division West, recently ensured that Joint Warfighters have the skills to conduct self- and assisted-recovery operations.
Soldiers get familiar with the RG-31 Medium Mine-Protected Vehicle, Buffalo Mine-Protected Clearance Vehicle and Husky Vehicle-Mounted Mine Detector, and learn to conduct preventative maintenance checks and services on the equipment prior to its operation.
The professional trainers of Task Force Rampant then teach how to upright and move vehicles that are not operating under their own power, and the deploying units must demonstrate proficiency prior to any self- or assisted-recovery operation.
“I like that the instructors didn’t hold our hand through every step,” said Sgt. Cham Rhodes, a mechanic from the 870th Engineer Company. “They let us figure out how to solve the problem and brought it to a new level in order to accomplish the mission.”
Later, a series of recovery drills are aimed at employing the company’s Field Maintenance Team. These drills were focused on engaging qualified recovery specialists on the proper use and employment of the M984 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck - Wrecker and the M916/M870 Tractor and Semitrailer system.
“[This is] a very, very good class,” said Spc. David Reid from the 151st Engineer Company (Sapper). “We definitely need a lot more stick time—recovery operations [are] an important part of our job and it is imperative that we learn these processes.”
As part of the assisted-recovery mission, the unit’s FMT was tasked to recover a disabled MRAP that had rolled and was lying on its side. The FMT was instructed on how to position the wrecker, hook up chains and use the boom crane to right the vehicle. Once righted, they used the wrecker to tow and load the MRAP body onto a lowboy trailer and haul it to a maintenance yard on a nearby simulated forward operating base. Soldiers were instructed on proper winching procedures and how to correctly secure the disabled vehicle using chains and binders. Additionally, using the M916/870 system provided operators saddle time driving and maneuvering on dirt roads under a heavy load.
“Recovering a battle-damaged vehicle requires practical problem-solving skills. Every situation the recovery crew encounters in theater is different,” said Master Sgt. Warner Stadler, the senior recovery trainer with TF Rampant. As a special trainer from the Texas Army National Guard, Stadler applied lessons learned in Afghanistan in 2011 to help prepare these deploying soldiers.
“The crew first has to look at the damaged equipment, the terrain and the available recovery assets. They must consider the available options and select the course of action that shows the most potential for success,” said Stadler.
To ensure realism and maximum training value, trainers present recovery teams with a mission and a scenario and let them figure out how to solve the problem. “We guide them through the process as needed but usually stand back and observe and only step in if there is a safety issue or risk of equipment damage,” said Capt. Jose Lopez, training lane officer-in-charge.
“This was one of the most thorough blocks of recovery training that I have received,” stated Staff Sgt. Justin Detter from the 151st Engr. Co. “I was able to train my Soldiers and will be able to increase our recovery speed proficiency and execute more safely.”
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2012 20:20 |
| Story ID: | 91781 |
| Location: | MCGREGOR RANGE, NM, US |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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