BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- The first British heavy equipment transport system class takes a break from an intense three-week course to take a group photo, Aug. 29. Three British instructors certified 11 Steel Knight Soldiers assigned to the 51st Trans. C...
BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- Steel Knight Soldiers receive a tie-down instruction for a tracked vehicle on the back of the newly acquired British heavy equipment transport system, Aug. 25. Throughout this three-week course the students learned about the Br...
Soldiers of the 51st Transportation Company and British Soldiers of the Royal Logisitcs Corps inventory their heavy equipment transport basic issues items prior to signing the vehicles over, Aug. 2. The 51st Trans. Co. received five British HETs to a...
BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- Soldiers of the 51st Transportation Company, 39th Transportation Battalion (Movement Control), and one German civilian participated in the first ever British Army heavy equipment transporter Driver's Course Aug. 8-Sep. 2.
U.S. Army Europe and the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense signed a cross-service agreement for a long-term lease of 18 heavy equipment transport systems in Wiesbaden, Germany Aug. 3. The 51st Trans. Co. received five of these British HETs to add to their fleet of 13 US HETs used to transport heavy equipment throughout the European Theater.
The main objectives during the three-week intensive course was be to build confidence in the Soldiers driving a right-hand drive vehicle and also learning different and more challenging towing procedures than what they are used to with the US HET tractor-trailer.
"Learning how to operate another country's equipment was a great learning experience," said Spc. Gerardo Soto, a motor transport operator assigned to 51st Trans. Co. "Knowing how different it is from our US HET system made it a challenge but a great learning opportunity that we overcame through the three-week training."
The advantages of the tractor M1070F system are crucial for the transport of heavy equipment within the European Theater. With 200 more horsepower than the U.S. M1070, it has more get-up-and-go. The biggest benefit the unit will have is that the axle weight limitations will be in compliance with the European standards allowing more freedom of movement. With the addition of two additional axles, the massive vehicles will no longer exceed the maximum weight capacity.
The Steel Knight Soldiers learned about the British HET's capabilities, basic issue items, preventive maintenance checks and services, tire changing, hooking up to the trailer, loading and unloading of equipment, winching on, winching off, equipment tie down, straight line backing, alley docking and driving through various terrain.
"We were blessed with experienced and highly professional instructors, Richie, Paul and Andy, hats off to them," said Spc. Ikbol Ashurov, a newly licensed British HET operator assigned to the 51st Trans. Co. "I now feel confident in transporting important equipment in Europe with these new vehicles."
Driving the monster of a vehicle with the steering wheel on the right is more challenging than one may think, as the Steel Knights learned during the course. By the end of the course the Soldiers learned to appreciate the advantages this British vehicle has over the U.S. HET and the benefits it will bring to the heavy equipment transport operations within Europe.
The company has accepted the challenge of being the first unit in the U.S. Army to add the British Army HET system to their fleet. This unprecedented event continues to display how 16th Sustainment Brigade strives to maintain readiness and build stronger partnerships throughout the European footprint.
Ultimately, there our 11 Steel Knight Soldiers, who can proudly proclaim to be British HET tractor-trailer certified.
"The added capability of the HETS to the 51st Trans. Co. will provide the extended reach necessary to support the European Theatre and a Strong Europe," said 51st Trans. Co.'s 1st Sgt. Louis Steinke. "I am very proud of our Steel Knight Soldiers for undergoing this new training and being the first Soldiers in the 16th Sustainment Brigade to be licensed on these vehicles."
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