HOHENFELS, Germany - The Branch Movement Control Team (BMCT) in Hohenfels, Germany, recently requested support from 39th Transportation Battalion (MC) for the coming large-scale movements throughout Europe. The summer of 2017 promises large-scale exercises, with logistics units working at a high operational tempo to move Soldiers and equipment to their various training locations.
A BMCT manages civilian-related transportation requests for the Army, including rail movements, road movements, and sometimes movements by sea and air. They are a U.S. movement control team's (MCT) host-nation counterpart, and U.S. Soldiers work with them to coordinate movements. They process transportation movement releases (TMR), coordinate rail cars based on rail builds, and assist customs clearance officers with their expertise and knowledge. They are crucial to success of the missions in Europe.
Three soldiers from 627th Transportation Detachment (MC) traveled to Bavaria and put their military occupational specialty skills to the test. Staff Sgt. Eddie Haranzo led the effort with Pfc. Corey Kittelberger and Pfc. Makerita Luani. The three arrived to Hohenfels on March 26th, and integrated with members of the Hohenfels BMCT before the first scheduled movement.
"We were here with enough time to get spun up on our area of responsibility and support roles here," said Kittelberger, a transportation management coordinator.
The three representatives from the 627th Trans Det. facilitated movement of 185 commercial trucks, 385 pieces of military equipment, and 1,200 personnel back to Vicenza, Italy in support of Allied Spirit VI.
"I've learned about a couple of vehicles that I've never seen before, and about the different aspects of each vehicle that deal with movement," said Luani, a transportation management coordinator. "This movement operation also consisted of preparing freight warrant and customs forms."
In addition to documentation, the transporters communicated with various Army units, and U.S. and German civilians. Upon completion of their mission with Allied Spirit VI, the three Soldiers from the 627th Trans. Det. will return to Panzer Kaserne, and will be able provide insight to other Soldiers in the 39th Transportation Battalion on their experience working with a BMCT for future missions.
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