MARMAL, Afghanistan – In the shade of the night, soldiers of the 1230th Transportation Company, “Road Dawgs,” conducted convoy tactics, techniques and procedures, and honed movement drills to sharpen their skills in preparation for the following day mission, Oct. 12, 2013, Camp Marmal, Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. The 1230th TC is in support of the 524th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Commanded by, Lt. Col. James M. Droppleman, Regional Command North, Afghanistan.
“It is our job, our priority, getting the cargo from Point A to Point B,” said 1st Lt. Derek Ellyson, a native of Cummings, Ga. Ellyson is the 2nd Platoon leader and the Convoy Escort Leader on this mission.
He described the platoon’s mission, its capabilities, explained why they practice the drills and what is expected of convoy drivers once they exit base camp to run missions.
“We practice these drills until its muscle memory,” said Ellyson.
As the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles revved up and moved into position for training, Ellyson discussed the seriousness of his Soldiers exercising their TTP’s, and knowing their job.
The drills enable the soldiers to be able to respond and react quickly thereby allowing them to be able to remove themselves and their cargo out of danger quickly, if need be.
“To get out of the kill zone and avoid hurting others,” said Staff Sgt Michael Watson, a native of Mack, Ga. Watson is the company troop commander.
Practicing a vehicle hasty hookup drill of two equal vehicles of even capacity was one of the drills Watson and another Soldier performed. Working together as a team, they quickly demonstrated the speed at which the Hasty Hook Up drill can be accomplished.
“This drill can be accomplished in a matter of minutes, even under combat conditions,” said Watson.
“In a combat situation minutes are important,” Watson stressed. “We don’t want to give the enemy enough time to focus on us.”
The 1230th TC, ensures that drill training allow the Soldiers to focus on a couple priorities, the number one priority, is the safety of the Soldiers, the second being, success of the convoy.
“We make sure everyone is trained properly, they know what to do, and they know how to act if a situation arises,” said Spc. Dakota Turner, a native of Linconton, Ga., and is a 1230th TC driver.
He capped the moment when he emphasized how the Soldiers of the 1230th TC, know not only their own position and requirement but they also know each other’s job, what to do, and how to do it. To Dakota, each soldier knowing what to do ensures mission success.