RUKLA, Lithuania -- Task Force Stilwell, comprised of Soldiers from the 39th Transportation Battalion (Movement Control), 16th Sustainment Brigade, moved 23 oversized tracked vehicles hundreds of miles across Lithuania from Aug. 26 to Sep. 5.
Starting in Rukla, Lithuania, Task Force Stilwell moved the B Company, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, armored fleet to Pabrade, Lithuania for a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise from Aug. 29 -31, allowing the unit to combine armored vehicle live firing with dismounted troop operations and tactical air insertion.
After the completion of the CALFEX, Task Force Stilwell reloaded the armored vehicles for turn in at to the European Activity Set in Mumaiciai, Lithuania. The EAS is an Army Materiel Command managed equipment set that allows employment of regionally allocated equipment for training, this EAS site specifically within the Baltics.
Throughout the movement, Soldiers worked and built rapport with their Lithuanian Land Forces counterparts.
"Since we come from different backgrounds, face to face meetings are important, so that we are able to understand each other completely" said Capt. Paulius Venclovas, commander, Forward Support Company, Lithuanian Mechanized Infantry Brigade 'Iron Wolf'. "When we do come together and understand each other, we are very effective in coordinating our logistical capabilities with the needs of the U.S. forces we support."
U.S. forces agreed that constant communication was important to completing the mission.
"I work side by side with Lithuanians at the NMCC (National Movement Control Center) and we are constantly communicating," said 1st Lt. David Golonka, a U.S. Army Reserve movement control officer, 446th Movement Control Battalion, attached to Task Force Stilwell. "We understand what each other's roles and responsibilities are, we know what assets we bring to the table so we know what we are able to accomplish. Time and time again, the Lithuanian Land Forces help us overcome obstacles with civilian contractors and other issues we face that could have hampered our mission simply by applying their touch - they are the epitome of professional."
The movement operation provided junior Soldiers the opportunity to gain experience and learn new skills along the way.
"This was my first mission since getting licensed," said Spc. Javier Acuna, motor transport operator and newly certified Heavy Equipment Transporter operator, 51st Transportation Company, 39th Trans. Bn. "I didn't think I was ready, but after the first day I was comfortable, and now I can tie down tanks, Bradleys, forklifts, and M113s."
Staff Sgt. Prentiss Alford, motor transport operator and operations non-commissioned officer in charge for Task Force Stilwell, said preparation and readiness were key for a movement this large.
Consistent and thorough preventative maintenance checks and services of 51st Trans. Company, 39th Trans. Bn.'s HETs while back at home station in Baumholder, Germany, leading up to the movement made sure no surprises occurred during movement from Germany to Lithuania.
"It's about ensuring everything that could possibly happen was thought of and making sure our personnel were trained on loading procedures for the [tracked] vehicles prior to movement," explained Alford. "Ensuring that the equipment was serviced with parts on hand for repairs if necessary was of utmost importance. If anything were to go down, we knew exactly what we would need to do to keep the mission running smoothly."
Using only five HETs from the 51st Trans. Co. fleet, Task Force Stilwell proved an adaptable logistical asset enabling U.S. regionally aligned rotational forces in the Baltic States freedom of movement and the ability to conduct multinational training.
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