FORT BENNING GA - Soldiers in the 104th Transportation Company logged more than 66,300 miles during a 30-day mission in support of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, training at Fort Stewart, Ga.
During the scenario-based mission, the company played the role of civilian contractors, allowing the 41st BCT to train on escort missions near Fort Stewart.
The units completed 132 convoys between June 3 and July 2, said 2LT Victoria Wynn, the 104th Transportation Co. OIC for the event.
Even as a support mission, it was good training for the motor transport operators, who had a chance to familiarize themselves with new vehicles and build camaraderie, Wynn said.
"We have a lot of new Soldiers since we last deployed, so it's a great opportunity for them to get incorporated into the company ... and work together in an environment similar to Iraq and Afghanistan," she said.
Some junior enlisted Soldiers in the company were put in charge of a convoy for the first time.
Although SPC Corey Duck had never acted as convoy commander before, he said he knows what steps to take in that position for the future.
"I didn't realize it was that much in detail, that much responsibility as far as how many people you have under you," he said. "It made me realize it takes a lot of hard work to be able to do that. I learned the role and how to be prepared for that role."
Many of the Soldiers, like Duck, deployed last year with the company to Iraq for 15 months. Some, however, have never seen combat, so realistic training helped them prepare for what they would be doing in theater, Wynn said.
SPC Heath Norvell said he learned how to react to an IED attack, to recognize hand and arm signals from the gun trucks and how to communicate with other units.
Norvell also learned another important lesson - "stay hydrated," he said. A couple Soldiers passed out after not drinking enough water.
"You train like you fight, so when we do go out in convoys, it'll give me a better grasp of what to do," he said.
The unit will have to put these lessons into practice in the coming year, Wynn said, when they deploy next summer.
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