Photo By Spc. Jarrett Branch | A convoy from 2nd platoon, 62nd Chemical Company, 23rd Chemical Battalion, barrels...... read more read more
FORT LEWIS, Wash. — In the ever-changing face of modern warfare, improvised explosive devices and convoy attacks are becoming the enemy's main methods of attack, so it has become essential that all Soldiers, regardless of their jobs, are trained and proficient in every aspect of convoy operations.
The 23rd Chemical Battalion, 62nd Chemical Company honed these skills during a three-day convoy live-fire exercise at Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Wash., from June 6 to June 8.
Capt. Vance Brunner, 62nd Chemical Company, said every Soldier, regardless of military occupational specialty, needs to be an expert in convoy operations because a majority of contact with the enemy is taking place on roads during convoys.
"Everyone's on the road [in convoys], everyone's moving," Brunner said.
Brunner knows firsthand the importance of training on how to react when a convoy is attacked. While in Afghanistan, his convoy was struck by an IED, but the training that he received helped him get through the hectic situation. During the training exercise, the platoons performed dry- and blank-fire runs a number of times in order to prepare for the actual live fire.
During the dry, blank and live fire runs the convoy came across a number of combat situations. One scenario included the convoy being struck by an IED. The five-vehicle convoy took a defensive position so the medical team could begin treatment for those injured.
"It's important to build on skills that we might possibly use in the future," said Sgt. 1st Class Andre Gathings, 2nd platoon sergeant, 62nd Chemical Company.
Another scenario that the platoon faced was the recovery of a disabled vehicle.
"One of their vehicles will become disabled, and the platoon will have to maneuver its gun trucks to support by fire as the recovery vehicle comes in and recovers the disabled vehicle," said Brunner.
The 62nd Chemical Company Soldiers practiced building their skills because they know the importance of reacting instinctively when the convoy comes across trouble.
Gathings added, "We have a lot of non-standard missions for non-standard situations, so we must be ready to do [convoy operations] at all times."
| Date Taken: | 06.24.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2009 17:22 |
| Story ID: | 35583 |
| Location: | FORT LEWIS, US |
| Web Views: | 729 |
| Downloads: | 583 |
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