FORD ISLAND, Hawaii – Soldiers of A. Company, “Chargers”, 325th Brigade Support Battalion “Mustangs,” 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, allowed the entire Fuel and Water Platoon to participate in Water purification operations held here, March 22, to exercise the equipment and functionality of a Tactical Water Purification System at the Water Training Site.
“Our purpose today is to cross train to maintain our equipment and troubleshoot any operator deficiencies and to teach better operational processes– this allows everyone in the platoon an opportunity to refresh their knowledge and hands on ability on this particular piece of a equipment which wasn’t used in Afghanistan,” said 1st Lt. Karen Wong, officer in charge, C Company, 325th BSB.
Using the Army's TWPS, the platoon has the capability to provide up to 1,300 gallons with purified salt water for drinking, bathing, cooking and laundry.
Each TWPS can produce 30,000 gallons of water a day to sustain operations for extended periods on the battlefield.
The water produced by the TWPS can allow soldiers using the Laundry Advanced System to use more than 2,500 gallons of water daily to wash and process loads of laundry.
“This training showed the platoon the work that goes into building a water site – what equipment it’s capable of – cross training and getting the fuel section of the platoon was very beneficial because their proficiency is needed if we fall short,” said Sgt. Dartagnan Baldwin, squad leader, fuel and water platoon.
Dartagnan added, “This training benefits our new soldiers just arriving to the unit – they get hands on training and get involved and conduct in depth maintenance.”
The water is drawn from different sources through a filter into the TWPS. Then it goes through a micro-filtration process that uses reverse-osmosis elements to remove contaminants and impurities.
Chemicals are added to make the water safe for use and consumption. It's tested hourly to ensure the pH balance and temperatures are in acceptable ranges. The TWPS is also capable of filtering salt water for use by soldiers.
“Training went well – we have some solid expertise at the small unit level which can definitely be built on for the future. It’s important that these soldiers are proficient at their professional skills and be well rounded in both fuel and water to make them more versatile,” said Capt. Guecheon Theobal, company commander,
He added, “If we are called into action in the Pacific, it is our job to be trained and ready to go, its starts at the lowest level and we rely on expertise of their craft.”
Experience gained at Ford Island keeps soldiers trained and ready for missions anywhere they are needed in the Pacific. Soldiers gain firsthand knowledge while doing their jobs in preparation for these expeditionary missions.
This training was surprised by visits from Col. Brian Eifler, 3rd BCT commander, 25th ID and Command Sgt. Maj. Ray A. Devens, 25th ID command sergeant major. The platoon received the commander's intent for their potential mission in the Pacific which served as a high motivation factor.
Upcoming training will be on the Army’s Lightweight Water Purification System, which may be used, if the platoon size element is called into action and the mission require a more agile machine that produces similar results.