WIESBADEN, Germany -- Leaders and Soldiers of the 16th Sustainment Brigade encountered an unexpected guest as they conducted a demonstration Oct. 26 at the Army airfield here. The impromptu visit allowed Knights Brigade troops to highlight their equipment to the Army's top officer in the Army and United States Army Europe senior leaders.
Gen. Mark Milley, the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army, met with troops from the Knights Brigade's 51st Transportation Company and 515th Transportation Company, both assigned to the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
Junior leaders briefed a distinguished delegation including Chief of the General Staff of the British Army General Sir Nicholas Carter, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the U.S. Army Europe commander; and Maj. Gen. Duane Gamble, commander of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, as well as the CSA. The Soldiers discussed their equipment's capabilities, which expand operational reach and facilitate movement of heavy equipment within Europe as well as interoperability of fuel systems among NATO allies.
Featured systems included a British heavy equipment transport system loaded with an Abrams tank, a U.S. heavy equipment transport system loaded with an armored personal carrier tank, and a fueling system with NATO adapter kits.
Milley encountered the display as he prepared to depart Germany following the 23rd Annual Conference of European Armies, an event featuring military officials from 42 countries and hosted by U.S. Army Europe. The troops seemed delighted to meet with the CSA.
"Gen. Milley was my battalion commander while I was assigned to 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky," said Sgt. 1st Class Lucas Pedigo, the senior truck master for 51st Trans. Co. "It was great to reconnect with him halfway across the world in Europe and explain our unique capabilities."
"I'm honored to show off our equipment to such high level leaders," added Sgt. David Gonzalez, driver and operator of the heavy equipment transport system assigned to the 51st Trans. Co.
"I never imaged that I would have the opportunity to brief the Chief of Staff of the Army," said Spc. Theo Oree, a fellow U.S. HET system operator assigned to the 51st Trans. Co. "They even gave us a tour of his plane that was scheduled to depart that day."
Sgt. Michael Gales and Sgt. Jamell Dupree, motor transport operators and newly licensed British HET drivers, explained how the two additional axles and 200 more horsepower on the British HET system bring the weight limitations of moving a tank within European standards.
The 515th Trans. Co. motor transport operators, Sgt. John Kreft and Spc. Anthony Morales, educated the Army senior leaders on their NATO adapters that allow them to perform bulk fuel transfers with NATO allies. The unit most recently used the adapters during Trident Juncture 15, a NATO-led exercise in Spain, facilitating interoperability between fueling systems.
The demonstration seemed to make a powerful impression on senior regional leaders.
"This was a fantastic opportunity for our young Soldiers," Col. Michelle M.T. Letcher, the brigade commander, said following the visit. "I was proud of their performance and gratified to see the CSA and the other senior leaders so captivated by our story."
Related Links:
16th Sustainment Brigade Webpage
Social Sharing