CAMP TRZEBIEN, Poland – For many soldiers, railhead operations represent either the beginning or end of a long journey.
For soldiers assigned to Company B and D, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, packing equipment onto railroad cars Dec. 2 signified not only the completion of successful two-month long rotation supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve alongside Polish Partners at Camp Trzebien, Poland, but also the next-to-last step before they return to Fort Stewart, Georgia.
The railhead can be a lengthy process while inspectors ensure every piece of equipment is properly loaded, checking for correct interval measurements and chock block placement.
1st Lt. Matthew Taylor, a 3-69 tank platoon leader, said although soldiers completed railhead operations upon arrival for their rotation, they received safety refresher training before railhead operations commenced.
“This is definitely not the first time these (soldiers) have done this,” Taylor continued. “Nothing here is new (to the soldiers). They’re all pretty proficient at it by now.”
Once every piece of equipment is loaded, the train will head to two locations in Germany, where soldiers will download vehicles once more before the cleaning process begins.
“It’s been raining a lot, so it will make this a little hard to clean up before we turn it in,” Taylor said.
Five soldiers will accompany the train to guard equipment and around 100 soldiers will meet the train to assist with the last step before their journey home - cleaning and turning in the European Activity Set equipment. The EAS gear includes the M1A2 Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles and other items used during their training rotation.
“(These soldiers) are ready to go home and get ready for the next rotation which will take place in April,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jaime Villegas, the senior noncommissioned officer in charge of Company D 3-69.