Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Frank Marquez | Spc. Thomas J. Hawkins, from Elko, Nev., of Detachment 3, 593rd Medium Transportation...... read more read more
ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D. — The 593rd Medium Transportation Company from northern Nevada met the demand for fuel during the Golden Coyote training exercise in the Black Hills of South Dakota, keeping the wheels turning for more than 3,600 service members.
The unit's first mission using their new fuel tankers to support Golden Coyote was a historic milestone — not just because of the training during the exercise — but also because they drove the tankers more than 1,000 miles just to reach the exercise, which was training in and of itself.
Before now, they had never completed their true mission as a petroleum, oil and lubricants unit.
"This is the first time we've been able to run a fuel mission with our newly assigned equipment," said 1st Sgt. Harry J. Schroeder, senior non-commissioned officer. "We did our unit's first POL mission by transporting 20,000 gallons of fuel to forward operating bases Custer, Tepee, Fishermans Flats and Railroad Buttes."
This year, Golden Coyote has eased fueling challenges by having the 593rd run its bulk fuel transportation mission, which provides fueling capabilities at the individual forward operating bases.
"When the event coordinators found out we were a POL [petroleum, oil and lubricant] unit, they picked us for the mission," said Schroeder, a native of Reno, Nev.
The 593rd has been running fuel missions continuously since the start of the exercise. Schroeder said they took a 5,000-gallon tanker to the Missouri River near Chamberlain, S.D. on Friday to support a water obstacle training exercise with the 200th Engineer Company from Mobridge, Pierre and Chamberlain, S.D.
Staff Sgt. Michael M. Silva, a squad leader of Detachment 3, 593rd in Elko, Nev., said the number of missions depends on the demand. He has been with the unit since 1999 when it split from the 1864th Truck Company of Las Vegas. Silva, an Elko County deputy sheriff, has served the Nevada National Guard for 11 years, which included a yearlong tour in Talil, Iraq, in 2007.
During his deployment, the 593rd supported units with vehicles, but didn't function as a true POL unit. "We supported a lot of units there with flatbed trucks, Heavy Equipment Transport Systems which can carry heavy loads like Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and performed convoy security with a gun-truck platoon," Silva said. "We didn't run fuel like we are doing here."
He said Golden Coyote has been a great opportunity to complete all of the unit's training requirements. "We are having our best training here," he said. "We are working on our battle drills, preparing for convoys, running the convoys and teaching the younger Soldiers what they should know as they move up through the ranks."
Wheeled vehicle mechanic, Pvt. Joseph Morris a native of Spring Creek, Nev. of Det. 3, said this is his first annual training. "This is a great time to come together and train as a unit. Plus, I'm meeting people from other states. It's turning out to be a really good training environment to get together and do what we do and need to do to get the mission done."
Schroeder said he is taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by Golden Coyote for individual driver training. In addition to the POL missions, he explained other unit training will include courses on leadership reaction, convoy lanes and all his drivers will participate in the truck rodeo Saturday. "That's when we go over our basic driving skills like turning and backing up," Schroeder said.
Upon the completion of Golden Coyote, the 593rd will spend two full days driving their vehicles more than 1,000 miles home to Nevada.
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2009 21:30 |
| Story ID: | 34926 |
| Location: | ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, US |
| Web Views: | 679 |
| Downloads: | 446 |
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