Photo By Michael Meyer | The 709th Transportation Company went underway near dawn on USAV Malvern Hill from...... read more read more
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TACOMA, Wash. – U.S. Army Reserve soldiers from Tacoma set sail on an equipment recovery mission to Kodiak, Alaska, shortly after dawn, June 29.
The 709th Transportation Company embarked on the U.S. Army Vessel Landing Craft Utility 2025 USAV Malvern Hill from Tacoma in support of the Mertarvik Innovative Readiness Training mission in Alaska, continuing the mission of the LCU 2030 USAV Monterrey.
The Monterrey was carrying 350 tons of construction supplies and equipment for the annual IRT mission when it struck rocks near Kodiak, Alaska, and was eventually taken to the United States Coast Guard Station Alaska. The cargo was off-loaded from the Monterrey before the vessel moved to Seward, Alaska, for repairs.
“It's a five to seven day trip from Tacoma to Kodiak Island, Alaska,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Frankie T. Caraska, vessel master of the Malvern Hill. Caraska explained that the 709th TC Company is working alongside other Army Reserve units for the next few weeks to recover the equipment before returning to their home port of Tacoma. The Malvern Hill sailed from Tacoma to the US Coast Guard Station Alaska and then will sail to Port Hueneme, Calif., for off-loading before the vessel returns to Tacoma.
“The construction equipment and supplies belong to a heavy engineering unit of the U.S. Marine Corps that are part of the IRT Mission,” said Caraska. “The equipment includes wheeled and track vehicles for earth moving, and supplies that are needed to operate in a pretty remote area.”
The IRT mission is a five-year mission to move the small village of Newtok, Alaska, to a new location in Mertarvik, Alaska. The move is the result of years of erosion, melting permafrost, and rising water levels. This year's mission is postponed until next year.
Before the Malvern Hill went underway, the Army Reserve crew spent several days conducting safety checks on the vessel, and rehearsing emergency drills.
Spc. Jennifer Truppner, of the 467th Transportation Company, inspected and serviced the Jacob's ladder, which is used as an escape method if the crew ever needs to abandon ship. Truppner described what it's like to be a deckhand on an Army watercraft.
“As a deckhand, I pull watch on the bridge, perform maintenance on the deck, pull lines, stuff like that,” Truppner said. She explained that her civilian job is working for a warehouse distribution center for athletic apparel. Truppner said that she enjoys her civilian job, but nothing compares to her Army career.
“Being out on the water is just an amazing feeling. I tell everyone that they should join the Army Reserves and work in this career field because it's a lot of fun!” said Truppner.
She also expressed her appreciation to her employers for being understanding and supportive of her responsibilities as an Army Reserve soldier. “Life would be much more difficult if I did not have employers that were willing to work with my schedule whenever the Army needs me. I feel like this is very important work that we do,”Truppner said.
| Date Taken: | 06.29.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.09.2012 14:20 |
| Story ID: | 91286 |
| Location: | TACOMA, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 342 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Tacoma vessel embarks on Alaskan mission, by Michael Meyer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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