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Convoy Training

Photo By Matt Acosta | Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry, Task Force Liberty, render aid to simulated...... read more read more

10.07.2005

Courtesy Story

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Staff Sgt. Matthew Acosta
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MACKENZIE, Iraq- Training for Soldiers is critical in developing and maintaining the skills and discipline needed for a successful and safe mission whether it is a training exercise or a deployment to a combat zone.

Training prior to deploying is equally important as training while deployed. Sustainment training ensures the skills and discipline learned before a deployment is attained and honed while serving in a dangerous environment.

"One of the biggest things we want to prevent is complacency," said Command Sgt. Maj. Rick Cooper, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry, Task Force Liberty. "Just because the Soldiers have been here for 10 months doesn't mean they don't need training. They need to train on new tactics, techniques and procedures that are sent down the chain on a constant basis."

The Soldiers of the 1-17 Cav. are learning to plan, arrange and executing safe and successful convoys on a weekly basis due to an intensive training program initiated by Cooper.

Cooper said his unit runs the Pale Horse Express, a convoy that makes supply runs for the unit from Forward Operation Base Mackenzie to Logistical Supply Area Anaconda, on a weekly basis.

"The convoy makes supply runs to get medical supplies, mail, comfort products and sometimes helicopter parts," said Staff Sgt. Cassie Savell, battle noncommissioned officer, 1-17 Cav. "What's unique about the training is they switch out the convoy commander after every convoy and train a new Soldier for that position."

Cooper said at first they were training the first sergeants to lead the convoys, then began teaching the sergeants first class, and then brought the level of training to staff sergeants.

"Its crucial to get everyone involved in this role as much as possible, in the event something happens to the convoy commander, people aren't running around all confused not knowing what to do," Cooper said. "If everyone has the chance to lead one of these convoys, then if something goes wrong, they will know their place and know what's expected of them."

"Ideally, if Soldiers switch jobs, after several convoys they will know who is responsible for doing what, when to do it and how to do it, because they once had that position," he said.

During the training, the Soldiers are given a combination of scenarios by Cooper who is riding next to the convoy in a separate vehicle. When the Soldiers get a command over the radio, they have to react at "combat speed" the same way they would react if on an actual convoy.

"I'll do several things, sometimes I tell them a certain vehicle has a flat tire and they have to react, making a box with the correct wheel toward the inside of the box and actually change the tire while the other Soldiers provide security," Cooper said. "Sometimes I tell them multiple vehicles have multiple flats, that's when things get interesting."

Convoy training scenarios include utilizing tow bars, vehicle borne improvised explosive device drills while changing tires, medical evacuations and casualty cards said Staff Sgt. Todd Bailey, platoon sergeant and convoy commander trainee, 1-17Cav.

"When I do the improvised explosive device scenarios, I'll give all the vehicles cards. All are blank except for one which will have a number of injuries or deaths on it assigned to each position in the vehicle, driver, TC and so on," Cooper said.

"When I say execute, execute, execute over the radio, they read the cards and execute the scenario. The vehicle with the real casualty card simulates the injuries on the cards. If the driver is killed, he won't talk, if some Soldiers have broken legs, they will have to be carried out of the vehicle.

"The hit vehicle will stop rolling and the other vehicles will have to react to the situation."

Cooper said many of the Soldiers have already been on combat logistic patrols prior to the initiation of the training program, so many already know their positions and what to do. However, the training sessions can last as little as an hour or all day depending on the performance and execution of those involved.

"What's important is that these Soldiers know how important it is to stay focused on the mission, and how easily something under control can quickly get out of control," he said.

"I want every convoy commander to understand what needs to happen in any situation that arises. I know we can't cover every possible scenario but by understanding how we need to react to certain situations they will learn to think of solutions they haven't covered in training."

Savell, the most recent convoy commander said, going into the training scenario she had a good idea what was going to happen and when, but the sergeant major threw her for a loop.

"I got hit with several scenarios that really made me think and coming out of the training," she added. "I felt very confident about going on the actual convoy, and after the mission I really felt I had learned a lot by the training."

After the training, Bailey said the Soldiers conduct an after action report discussing the training and the different scenarios; what happened, what was supposed to happen and suggestions for future training.

"I"d rather see them screw up here on the airfield because I know they'll learn from it," Cooper said. "Here, they'll just get yelled at, do a few push-ups and sweat a little, but out there it's a different story."