Long Knives prepare for vehicle convoy in Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Rogelio Brown Jr., a squad leader for the 27th BSB Gun-Truck Platoon, and native of Panama City, Panama executes pre-combat checks on one of the vehicle's commnications system Sept. 10, 2008. The platoon is preparing to depart Contingengy Operations Base Adder to transport supplies and rations to various combat outposts within the Long Knife area of operations.  

TALLIL AIR BASE, IRAQ

09.26.2008

Courtesy Story

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Spc. Shanon Black
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – "Mount up...mount up!" yells Staff Sgt. Timmie Fuewell, the convoy mission commander for the 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, as he signals to his platoon it's time to depart Contingency Operating Base Adder Sept. 10, 2008.

Fuewell and his Soldiers conduct convoy operations for the 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. in Southern Iraq.

"We started three days ago," said Fuewell, from Aiken S.C. "There are a lot of details, and a lot of communication with a lot of people to make this happen."

The Long Knife Brigade is in process of building two forward operating bases, Forward Operating Base Garry Owen and FOB Hunter. The 27th BSB transports supplies and rations to these combat outposts within the Long Knife area of operations.

The motion begins with Fuewell. He receives the mission order from the 27th BSB command team, and he immediately gives a warning order to all of his team members.

The 27 BSB's gun-truck platoon begins the long and tedious process of managing communication details for their scheduled convoy three days prior to their departure.

"It's my job to make sure the vehicles have plenty of fuel, pre-packaged meals; and I also make sure the communication systems are up and running, said Sgt. Rogelio Brown Jr., a squad leader for the 27th BSB, and native of Panama City, Panama.

"Compared to when I was here during Operation Iraqi Freedom I, [vehicle convoys are different] with the types of vehicles we drive now and all the extra up armor," he added.

The current mission in Iraq is a lot safer compared to when Operation Iraqi Freedom started in 2003, according to Rogelio. There is added protection inside and outside of the military vehicles, he said.

Brown, Fuewell and Sgt. First Class Willie Graham, 27th BSB, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. truck master, combine resources to ensure the vehicles not only provide interior and exterior safety, but the trucks are loaded properly, according to an approved vehicle load plan.

"I think the operation will be outstanding based on commodities and the projected mission," said Graham, from Chicago, Ill. "In my 20 years and three deployments, this has been the best logistical unit I've ever seen."

The Long Knives conducted a training rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., and one at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., prior to this deployment, but the Feuwell still led his Soldiers through a series of battle drills and combat checks prior to departure.

"We know the potential threats out there, but we're well prepared and well trained," said Feuwell.

Feuwell determines how many people are traveling, the order of vehicles in the convoy and the threat level along the route before giving the order to depart COB Adder.

After the drills and checks are complete, the 27th BSB vehicles roll out, ready to provide essential supplies to the Long Knife Soldiers living in remote areas of Southern Iraq.

• Date Taken: 09.26.2008
• Date Posted: 09.26.2008 03:53
• Story ID: 24165
• Location: TALLIL AIR BASE, IQ