Engineer unit's equipment loaded on railcars at Fort McCoy for deployment

More than 40 railcars were loaded with vehicles and equipment belonging to the 829th Engineer Company, a Wisconsin National Guard unit, from mid- to late September at Fort McCoy.

With the assistance of personnel with the Logistics Readiness Center (LRC) Transportation Division, 110 pieces of equipment equaling 1,058 short tons were loaded on the railcars, said Movements Branch Chief Terry Altman with the Transportation Division.

The rail movement operation was geared to send the vehicles and equipment for an upcoming deployment overseas for the 829th, Altman said.

Fort McCoy Transportation Officer D.J. Eckland with the Transportation Division said Soldiers the 829th Engineer Company helped with a rail movement on post in July and got specific training on rail operations.

"The 829th participated in the Rail Operations Course we conducted on July 9, and then they assisted with tie-down of equipment on the railcars (in July)," he said.

Whether it was moving troops and equipment during World War II or other contingencies, or bringing in or sending out equipment and supplies for a present-day exercise, rail will always be a primary mode of transportation at the installation, Eckland said.

"Rail is one of our strategic transportation missions, and these events allow us to exercise our capability," he said.

Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin.

The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services each year since 1984.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on Facebook by searching "ftmccoy," and on Twitter by searching "usagmccoy."