by Rob Cooper
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. -- Moving units, supplies and convoys within a hostile environment calls for more than just a good set of tires and a reliable engine. With the constant threat of insurgent attacks, whether by ambush or improvised explosive devices (IEDs), transportation assets require a secure means of making it to their final destination.
That's where the 1461st Combat Heavy Equipment Transportation (HET) Company, Jackson, Mich., comes in, providing necessary protection to transportation resources in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Army National Guard unit returned to Camp Atterbury in early August after a 15-month deployment to Forward Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, after providing a notable list of achievements.
While operating within the Multi-National Forces-Northwest are of operations, the 1461st, comprised of 290 Soldiers completed more than 270 missions and supported more than 28,000 Soldiers there with various transportation needs. During there time there, the unit logged more that 800,000 miles worth of Combat Logistical Patrols along a road network heavy with insurgent activity, said 1461st commander Capt. Scottie McCostlin.
The unit was also noted for hauling more than 30,000 tons of equipment for various coalition forces and escorted more than 1,800 vehicles on more than 120 missions within one task force's area of responsibility. McCostlin said that his unit contributed valuable intelligence, security and logistical support to other combat units, allowing them to concentrate fully on engaging the enemy without worrying about transportation needs.
"Not a single combat operation across the supported area or throughout the duration of the tour was modified because of lack of or delay in combat service support," McCostlin said.
McCostlin said that this is the unit's second deployment, serving previously in Operation Desert Storm in 1990-91. McCostlin attributed the unit's success to the diversity of his Soldiers.
"Approximately 180 out of the 290 Soldiers were cross-leveled from different units," he said. "Considering that many of them didn't know each other, this has been an outstanding accomplishment."
"We're so diverse with our soldiers," McCostlin added. "We have a lot of experienced veterans and seasoned NCO's (non-commissioned officers) that contributed to the overall success, not to mention three father/son teams that went with us. The unit's extraordinary execution of all assigned missions was an essential element to the overwhelming success of the combat operations they supported."