CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq — Soldiers from the 233rd Transportation Company, assigned to the 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, are preparing to transfer authority to two separate National Guard companies.
The Ft. Knox, Ken., Ft. Benning, Ga., and Ft. Stewert, Ga., based Soldiers of the 233rd Transportation Co. are training and doing "right seat rides" with Guardsmen from the 1083rd Transportation Co., Louisiana Army National Guard, based out of Minden, La., and the 2025th Transportation Co., Alabama Army National Guard, based out of Jacksonville, Ala.
Transportation Soldiers in the unit have provided Multi-National Division — North with heavy equipment transportation assets needed to conduct logistics operations since September 2008. With two incoming units allocated to take over these missions, Soldiers from the 233rd Transportation Co. have prepared to receive these units and pass on the torch of success.
With the complexity of replacing one unit with two separate units, a great deal has gone into the planning process of signing over equipment and teaching the most up-to-date tactics, techniques and procedures, said 1st Lt. John Ferrell, executive officer, 233rd Transportation Co.
"There are many working parts in this replacement plan," said Ferrell, a native of Pasadena, Calif. "My goal is to ensure that we set these units up for success by covering everything and then some."
Guardsmen will inventory and sign for millions of dollars-worth of equipment and try to grasp a year's-worth of knowledge in one week. Whether it is learning about radios and movement tracking systems or rehearsing emergency braking procedures, the new units will have a lot to put into their toolbox in a short amount of time.
Maintenance is also top priority. Soldiers in the company's maintenance section have worked non-stop for the duration of the deployment to ensure that parts have been replaced and services have been conducted on schedule.
"We have come a long way since the beginning of the deployment," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joseph Scarpill, maintenance technician, 233rd Trans. Co., and Warrington, Pa., native. "I am sure that the new units will be able to keep these trucks in good shape and mission-ready."
The 233rd Transportation Co. accumulated 478,000 miles and hauled more than 35,000 tons of heavy equipment, and will redeploy in August.