Taji Soldiers get ready in Thunderdome

Photo By Sgt. Robert Pinches | Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Barron, Bravo Battery, 2-138th Field Artillery, shares with his truck commanders their next show time.  

TAJI, IRAQ

11.09.2007

Story by Sgt. Robert Pinches 

302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Rob Pinches
302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Sitting on benches flanking an elaborate sand table in a warehouse here nicknamed Thunderdome, Soldiers of the 1103rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion stand up one by one, say their name, truck number and their duty within that vehicle. The projection on the wall lists all the vehicles in the convoy going out that night, in marching order; ready for yet another mission.

This is what happens every time a combat logistics patrol plans to leave Taji.

Planning starts with the naming of a mission commander and gun truck commander. The mission commander has authority when the CLPs are on a forward operating base and the gun truck commanders have control when they are outside the wire for security purposes, said Lt. Col. Lee Ellis, 1103rd CSSB commander.

Since the CLPs are made up from multiple transportation companies, the commanders are usually chosen from the units providing the most vehicles and personnel for the mission, said Ellis.

There are usually two Thunderdome briefs for each mission. The first is held roughly 18 hours before the CLP leaves, usually around 6 a.m. since most depart at night.

The morning brief in Thunderdome covers the route to be traveled in-depth, including when attacks are most likely to occur, weather conditions, high incident areas, vehicle tasks (aide and litter, recovery, etc.), mission timeline, communication requirements and anything else specific to the mission.

Soldiers from each gun truck team then go through battle drills using miniature wooden vehicles along a miniature road on the side of the sand table. Everything from traveling under a bridge to vehicle rollovers and water egress are covered.

Following a question-and-answer style back-brief, the Soldiers are taken out in front of Thunderdome and do a walk-through of each battle drill.

At 8 p.m., a second brief is held with all the Soldiers in the CLP. At this point, any updates or changes are put out as well as the most recent intel on their routes.

Involving all the Soldiers in the brief makes sure everyone knows what's going on, said 1st Lt. Jerran Hill, S-2 for the 1103rd CSSB.

"I think the rehearsals for us, getting the intel together, is great. It gives everyone, every member of that crew, knowledge on the enemies TTP's (tactics, troops, procedures). I don't have to worry about 'did it make it down the chain?' I know most platoon size elements don't get that," said Hill.

Maj. Joseph Thomas, 1103rd CSSB support operations, adds "the whole process of mission analysis is passed down. It's more confirmation on knowing the mission; that Soldiers are tracking everything for the mission."

Constant communication and awareness of changes is used to maintain a high success rate on missions. After every leg of the mission is completed, the Soldiers participate in a 'hot wash' to go over key points, said Thomas. Every mission also ends with a back brief to the unit leaders.

"The mission commander and gun truck commander give us a back brief after every mission," said Thomas.

"The commanders recreate the route in Thunderdome and go over lessons learned; anything that stands out, any improvements that can be made," adds Hill. "They let us know if there are any changes to the route." Hill continues, "That info is taken and the land owner for that area is contacted to find out why the changes were made. It will be checked out."

The goal is to make sure every CLP is a success not only in terms of completing a mission but in keeping everyone as safe as possible.

"We'll continue to improve this process," said Thomas, "to make sure everyone gets back inside the wire alive."

• Date Taken: 11.09.2007
• Date Posted: 11.09.2007 17:41
• Story ID: 13784
• Location: TAJI, IQ