FORT DRUM, N.Y. (April 23, 2015) -- A team of Soldiers assigned to the 110th Transportation Company, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, became proficient on railhead operations during a training exercise on post April 15.
The training was conducted to better prepare the Soldiers and showcase their skills for any emergency deployment readiness exercise, or EDRE, that may arise.
An EDRE is a minimum-notice exercise to test unit deployment capabilities for contingency operations. Soldiers tackled the task of properly loading, securing and unloading a palletized loading system on a railcar.Rapid deployment is the foundation for a ready 10th Mountain Division (LI). The division is expected to deploy by air, sea and land, worldwide within 96 hours after notification.
Fort Drum's railhead received significant upgrades in 1997, adding to the safe and rapid loading of vehicles and equipment for rail deployment. Some of the upgrades made were new road construction, lighting and a new control building, which extensively aids in the command, control and support of rail operations.
The Soldiers conducting the training were not the only ones to learn something that day. Commanders and staff members from the 10th Sustainment Brigade observed the training exercise to enhance their understanding of the procedures of loading and securing equipment on railcars.
Sgt. Timothy Elizondo, a truck commander assigned to the 110th TC, said the training was a great way for him to brush up on his skills, especially since the last time he dealt with railhead operations was more than a year ago.
Some Soldiers said that the training came with short notice, but thanks to the noncommissioned officers with experience and knowledge of railhead operations, they were able to prepare for and execute the training exercise confidently and flawlessly.
The training also was a good experience for Soldiers to learn about risks and how important safety is while conducting railhead operations, Elizondo explained. Safety is always his No. 1 priority while conducting any type of training. A few NCOs said that some of the Soldiers at the railhead training have been in the Army for less than 18 months and they handled the training well, making them confident that their Soldiers are capable of completing railhead operations without any mistakes.
"This is something that I've wanted to do since coming here to Fort Drum," said Spc. William Harris, a motor transport operator assigned to 110th TC. "Since we got back from our deployment, we're doing more of the support role for the 10th Mountain Division, which is awesome. I can't wait to do this kind of training again soon."
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