FORT MCCOY, Wis. - The 443rd Transportation Company, under the 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command, participated in a Combat Support Training Exercise on Fort McCoy, Wis., during August.
The CSTX is designed to train and prepare U.S. Army Reserve units for deployment readiness.
“Our mission is to relocate heavy equipment for the CSTX, and also react to [operation orders] as needed by higher,” said Capt. Adrian Ortiz, commander of the 443rd Transportation Company. “We have soldiers that are training in all aspects of warrior tasks and drills.”
Soldiers of the 443rd Transportation Company performed a variety of missions, including convoy operations, heavy equipment transportation, and virtual battle simulations.
“The convoy operation was an awesome experience,” said Spc. Haley Cumpton, a motor transport operator with the 443rd Transportation Company. “It helps you get familiarized with situations to know what to do and how to react.”
In addition to simulated battlefield situations, soldiers of the 443rd Transportation Company transported heavy equipment.
“We also relocate heavy equipment for the CSTX,” said Ortiz.
Soldiers of the 443rd Transportation Company also had the opportunity to train in a virtual battle space simulator.
“The Dismounted Soldier Training System offers realistic battlefield simulations and can be used to teach doctrine, tactics and procedures during squad patrolling,” said 1st Lt. Christina Williams, a nurse with the 452nd Combat Support Hospital.
“Its really awesome training, I love it,” said Cumpton. “It really tests your ability to communicate effectively.”
The variety of missions tested leadership capabilities, requiring close cooperation between noncommissioned officers and enlisted soldiers to accomplish their tasks to standard.
“The leadership is very engaged with their soldiers,” said Ortiz. “Our [noncommissioned officers] are able to sharpen their leadership skills and work as a team.”
The CSTX is designed validate the 443rd Transportation Company for deployment ready status.
“We’re hoping to get a positive validation,” said Ortiz. “We’d like to tell the Army the 443rd is ready to deploy.”
Regardless of the outcome of their evaluation, 443rd soldiers are taking advantage of the opportunity to train their skill proficiencies in an engaging environment.
“We’ve been practicing lots of cool things,” said Cumpton. “Everyone knows their jobs and everyone works together to get the mission done.”