MANNHEIM, Germany -- A multinational and multi-organizational team led by the 21st Theater Sustainment Command's Theater Logistics Support Center Europe conducted a critical test of heavy equipment transport systems from three different nations in an effort to determine the interoperability of transporting various heavy tracked vehicles and ensuring freedom of movement across European highways.
Heavy equipment transport systems from the U.S., Germany, and the United Kingdom were involved in the test, which was conducted by a diverse team of experts from the 21st TSC's Theater Logistics Support Center-Europe, the 16th Sustainment Brigade, the 405th Army Field Support Brigade, the German Army, the armed forces of the United Kingdom, military equipment manufacturers and contractors, and even the German Technical Inspections Organization (known more commonly as the TÜV).
Key leaders of TLSC-E, the lead organization for the test, described the event as one manifestation of a broad allied commitment to interoperability and shared regional security.
"USAREUR continues to demonstrate its commitment to collective security through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies of America's dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region in light of Russian intervention in the Ukraine," said Eugene Warren, the TLSC-E deputy general manager. "The test we conducted in Mannheim is one among many manifestations of our commitment to collective security throughout this vitally important region."
Essentially, the trucks were tested for two important criteria -- their ability to carry U.S. tracked vehicles in accordance with the applicable German and European Union's maximum permissible axle weight limitations and for the compatibility of the prime movers with the various trailers.
Each heavy equipment transport system was loaded with a U.S. M1A2 SEP v2 Abrams Main Battle Tank and an M-88A2 tracked recovery vehicle, and weights and measurements were taken for each axle. These vehicles are two of the heaviest vehicles in the Army inventory and will be used by the European rotational brigades during exercise and training in the Baltic states, Poland, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria.
The German TÜV was on-hand to verify the weights and measurements and confirm they were within tolerance of the EU roadway standards. Technicians from the manufacturers of the trucks and trailers were available to provide additional specific technical expertise concerning the capabilities and configuration of each system.
This exercise was critical in supporting multinational operations and maintaining rotational forces in Europe, according to Helmut Haufe, the TLSC-E general manager.
"As we continue collaborative efforts with our NATO Allies in the region, interoperability becomes critical," he said. "The ability of these heavy equipment transport systems to work together across national systems is critical for future operations in support of NATO and this test confirms that ability."
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