KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Soldiers from the 624th Movement Control Team (MCT) of the 39th Transportation Battalion, 21st Theater Sustainment Command's 16th Sustainment Brigade participated in Operation Juniper Micron (JM 14) from Jan. 04 to 15. The MCT along with the United States Air Force supported the joint peacekeeping mission by assisting French troops in the AFRICOM AOR.
During the operation, the MCT, with the assistance of the U.S. Air Force, conducted various movement control functions including: flight manifests, pallet and container inspection, weigh station operations, and hazardous material inspections. The joint operation ensured that the equipment and troops received transportation in a timely manner in support of the real-world mission. Throughout the two-week support, the MCT manifested, inspected, and verified the movement of 251 personnel and 23,000 lbs of palletized cargo.
Juniper Micron 14 was the first mission to Africa for two of the 624th MCT's Soldiers, however, various unit "Prime Time" training events and school courses ensured that they were ready for their expeditious journey. "I was tense during the medical portion, but I was not nervous heading into the mission because our unit has a disciplined training schedule," said Sgt. Shawn Gilliam, 624th MCT Movements NCO and native of Vancouver, WA. "We also attended the 'school house,' for various essential courses including unit movement and hazmat certification weeks before our mission," said Gilliam.
In addition to training, the unit completed a series of medical examinations and vaccinations to prevent the Soldiers from contracting illnesses during their mission to Western Africa. "We did a lot of traveling during the mission, so the medical procedures allowed us to focus on the mission rather than our exposure to a foreign environment," said 1st Lt. Philip Stephens, 624th MCT Movement Control Officer, and native of Florence, SC. When the unit returned from their mission, they reflected on the luxuries that Westerns often take for granted. "It was a sobering experience to see the country; however the locals are very friendly and happy people. I will never complain about something as minute as finding parking in the Post Exchange again," said 1st Lt. Stephens.
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