Transportation unit at Fort Eustis prepared for humanitarian missions, rapid deployments

By Julie KelemenOctober 26, 2022

Soldiers assigned to the 688th RPOE establish communications during a field training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct. 6.
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 688th RPOE establish communications during a field training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct. 6. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sgt. First Class Marcel Green, a Transportation Movement Supervisor assigned to the 688th Rapid Port Opening Element, eats dinner in the field during a training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct 6.
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. First Class Marcel Green, a Transportation Movement Supervisor assigned to the 688th Rapid Port Opening Element, eats dinner in the field during a training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct 6. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers assigned to the 688th Rapid Port Opening Element recognized Spc. Gerard McJimson during a field training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct. 6.
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 688th Rapid Port Opening Element recognized Spc. Gerard McJimson during a field training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct. 6. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers assigned to the 688th RPOE establish communications during a field training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct. 6.
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to the 688th RPOE establish communications during a field training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct. 6. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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Spc. Gerard Mcjimson, a Motor Transport Operator assigned to the 688th Rapid Port Opening Element, uses hand signals during an aerial port of debarkation exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct. 6.
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Gerard Mcjimson, a Motor Transport Operator assigned to the 688th Rapid Port Opening Element, uses hand signals during an aerial port of debarkation exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct. 6. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2nd Lt. Austin Barnes, a transportation officer assigned to the 688th Rapid Port Opening Element, holds the guidon for his unit during a field training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct.6.
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2nd Lt. Austin Barnes, a transportation officer assigned to the 688th Rapid Port Opening Element, holds the guidon for his unit during a field training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct.6.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Maj. Jacob Taeckens, commander, 688th Rapid Port Opening Element, 832nd Transportation Battalion, greets his counterpart from the U.S. Air Force during a field training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct.6. The exercise scenario was a notional...
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Jacob Taeckens, commander, 688th Rapid Port Opening Element, 832nd Transportation Battalion, greets his counterpart from the U.S. Air Force during a field training exercise at Fort Eustis, Va. Oct.6. The exercise scenario was a notional humanitarian mission and tested movement capabilities, in-transit visibility capabilities, and distribution capabilities while maneuvering around operational injections.


(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Soldiers assigned to the 688th Rapid Port Opening Element conducted a field training exercise at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. Va. Oct 4-6.

The 688th RPOE provides a joint expeditionary capability to rapidly establish and initially operate a port of debarkation and distribution node, facilitating port throughput in support of COCOM executed contingencies, humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.

The 688th Transportation Detachment was activated as the Army's first Rapid Port Opening element in October 2008, as part of the 597th TBDE contingency response team. As the first of its kind, the unit wasted no time setting the standard of the Rapid Port Opening mission and has been providing strategic APOD and SPOD capabilities around the world ever since.

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