Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alexander Burnett | Spc. Stanley Howard, a soldier assigned to the 567th Inland Cargo Transfer Company,...... read more read more
FORT EUSTIS, Va. — The heat and the sheer weight of their equipment is enough to drain the energy from these soldiers. In spite of the harsh conditions, they perform their mission with diligence, determination and a flawless attention to detail. They know one error here could lead to detrimental consequences in the future.
The 567th Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade conducted a company training exercise with an emphasis on the possibility of nuclear, biological and chemical attacks on Fort Eustis, June 18-20.
The 120 soldiers participating took turns conducting their individual missions, pulling guard and conducting general operations while in mission oriented protective posture level 4. This level requires soldiers to wear a full chemical protective suit, protective rubber boots, protective mask, protective hood and Army combat helmet. The first day of training was spent allowing the ‘Waterborne’ warriors to acclimate to wearing their gear in 95-degree heat.
“As an inland cargo transfer company, we are in the business of moving equipment,” said Capt. Jeffrey Hance, the 567th ICTC commander. “The goal of this exercise is getting these soldiers acclimated to driving, ground-guiding, pulling security and unloading cargo while wearing all of their protective gear. It’s going to be hot and hard, but I know they will make it through.”
The next two days were spent conducting a simulated cargo movement operation under chemically contaminated conditions. soldiers drove palletized load systems around Fort Eustis while wearing the complete MOPP system. Once they return to their simulated command area, each vehicle and soldier must go through a full decontamination.
“We are taking the entire company through a Detailed Troop Decontamination and Detailed Equipment Decontamination so they can learn the proper procedures for operating in and getting out of a contaminated environment,” said Spc. Jane Crosby, the 567th ICTC nuclear biological and chemical non-commissioned officer in charge. “The key to all of this is attention to detail, one mistake can mean the difference between safety and contamination.”
The vehicles were the first to go through decontamination. Each PLS is ground guided to individual stations where the exterior, interior and cargo are meticulously washed and rinsed. Finally, each vehicle is checked with an electronic chemical agent monitor to ensure the process was successful.
Each soldier then moves to a personnel decontamination area where their protective suit is decontaminated and systematically removed.
“Everyone out here has to go through the decontamination and help decontaminate their battle buddies,” said Crosby. “By going through every step of this process, these soldiers are going to know exactly what to do and how to do it if there is ever a chemical situation.”
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2012 11:25 |
| Story ID: | 90390 |
| Location: | FORT EUSTIS, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 466 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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