Photo By Sgt. Edwin Rodriguez | Heavy expanded mobility recovery truck pulls a local national pick up truck of its...... read more read more
SHINDAND DISTRICT, Afghanistan - They drove over 12,000 miles in less than a year. Nearly 60 convoys delivered thousands of pounds of supplies, food, water and countless other items within the same time span. All this effort is possible through coordination, focus, hard work and team unity, which are essential for life on the road in western Afghanistan.
The convoy security team of the 183rd Maintenance Company, 298th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Task Force Resolute, conducts escort missions throughout Regional Command West and Southwest.
For the 11 months they have been in Afghanistan, many of the 183rd’s missions have been as a security element, said 1st Lt. Avi Behar, a convoy commander in the 183rd Maint. Co.
“Many of the Contingency Operating Bases and Forward Operating Bases in our area of operation need supplies to keep their bases mission capable,” said Behar, a native of Cherry Hill, N.J. “Task Force Logfire, 298th CSSB, is responsible for commodity movement, military or civilian, in RC West.”
Every convoy operation requires significant planning and safety measures to ensure success. Preparation starts days before with meetings, security briefs and vehicle maintenance. All vehicles go through the preventive measures checks and services days prior to the mission.
“During the week, we take care of business, have fun after work, but when it’s the day of the mission, everyone takes it serious,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Turner, an assistant convoy commander assigned to the 183rd Maint. Co.
After the vehicles are all lined up, Behar gives the convoy mission brief to all soldiers going on the road. When all the necessary information is given, the mission will commence. Everyone in the group must all have the same knowledge to be successful.
“As a driver, I must know the routes back and forth,” said Spc. Jason Moore, a Tucson, Az., native assigned to the 183rd Maint. Co. “If we ever need to detour, I should be able to adapt if necessary.”
These convoy missions will put the company in many different regions and areas of responsibility in southwestern Afghanistan. If there is an issue on the road, convoy commanders must have access to the resources they need, especially in an emergency.
“It is important for the convoy commander and assistant convoy commander to know who to talk to when we enter certain areas of the region,” said Behar. “By knowing the battle space owner, I can have access to security information, medical evacuation assets and extra security support if i need it.”
Even as the "Warpigs," as Behar calls his convoy team, accumulated thousands of miles of experience, attention to detail on every convoy is essential.
“As the gunner, I have the best view of the road. I need to pay attention to any change in the towns, roads or people we pass,” said Spc. Thomas Jeffrey, a small arms repair specialist assigned to the 183rd Maint. Co. “It is important that as a gunner, or any other soldier, that we stay alert even if we have driven down a certain road hundred times before.”
There is no such thing as an ordinary mission, said Behar. A good mission is when all Behar’s soldiers return safely. However, during one particular mission, an out-of-the-ordinary circumstance occurred that gave the company an opportunity to help a local Afghan family.
The convoy drove up to a pickup truck flipped on its side, along with a huge metal container on the ground rolled on its side. The Afghan locals were in a mist of confusion until the convoy came by. With the help of their Heavy Expanded Mobility Recovery Truck, the soldiers were able to bring the pickup back on the road and replace the container on the bed of the truck.
The Afghans were happy to have the vehicle intact, and the soldiers headed back to SAB with bigger smiles on their faces than when they left early that morning. The mission can never be predictable. However, the 183rd "Warpigs" pride themselves by training hard, being attentive to every detail and focusing on the importance of every mission.
| Date Taken: | 07.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.14.2011 01:00 |
| Story ID: | 73683 |
| Location: | SHINDAND DISTRICT, AF |
| Web Views: | 242 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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