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95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion hosts Pony Express

By Capt. Misael SaldivarMarch 20, 2024

Soldiers assigned to the 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, established a Level 2 convoy support center in order to conduct simulated CSC operations at Training Area 5 on March 14, 2024, in Baumholder, Germany. The purpose of the event was to build readiness and capabilities, improve command and control functions, and prepare to integrate and interoperate allied partner forces into CSC operations during training events later this year. (U.S. Army Video by Staff Sgt. Daniel Yeadon)

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/915910/95th-cssb-hosts-pony-express

95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion hosts Pony Express
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade pose for a photo with Allied and partnered nations representatives during a "Pony Express" at Smith Barracks, Baumholder, Germany on March 14, 2024. The convoy support center training exercise was in preparation for upcoming operations during DEFENDER 2024. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Daniel Yeadon) VIEW ORIGINAL
95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion hosts Pony Express
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, conduct a demonstration with Allied and partnered nations during a "Pony Express" at Smith Barracks, Baumholder, Germany on March 14, 2024. The convoy support center training exercise was in preparation for upcoming operations during DEFENDER 2024. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Daniel Yeadon) VIEW ORIGINAL
95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion hosts Pony Express
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade conduct a demonstration for Allied and partnered nations representatives during a "Pony Express" at Smith Barracks, Baumholder, Germany on March 14, 2024. The convoy support center training exercise was in preparation for upcoming operations during DEFENDER 2024. (U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. Nahjier Williams) (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAUMHOLDER, Germany – The 95th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion conducted a week-long "Pony Express" at Smith Barracks, Baumholder, Germany March 11-14, 2024. The convoy support center training exercise was in preparation for upcoming operations during DEFENDER 2024.

The 95th CSSB began its preparations for future operations at full steam by integrating Allied nation Soldiers in their week-long field training exercise focused on convoy support center operations which, included a proof of principle in fuel distribution. This integrated training is designed to prepare the battalion to work with and alongside Allied and partner nations during the Defender 24 exercise and in future real-world missions.

Training for the first two days focused on the deployment and operation of a 1600-gallon capacity fueling station. This specific training is where the multinational soldiers worked in conjunction with U.S. Soldiers to create an integrated task force that was able to establish and operate up to six stations simultaneously.

Lt. Col. Robin Eskelson, the 95th CSSB’s commander, explained the need for the fuel system proof of principle.

“With the central European pipeline ending in Germany, it’s really how do we combat large scale operations and get fuel to the force, and large amounts to the force quickly,” said Eskelson. “And that’s what our convoy support center hub really instigates.”

The field exercise concluded with a Distinguished Visitors Day, in which senior leaders from the participating militaries were shown not only the training their soldiers received but were also presented with other capabilities the 95th CSSB is capable of bringing to the fight.

Eskelson showcased the 95th CSSB’s theater maintenance capabilities, where the battalion can deploy a team anywhere in Europe to provide critical maintenance in austere environments. The DVs were not only shown the battalion’s field feeding capabilities but were treated to several types of field rations for tasting and were even included in the end of mission steak lunch provided to the Soldiers.

Col. Matthew Alexander, commander of 16th Sustainment Brigade and the 95th CSSB’s higher headquarters, amplified the importance of multinational interoperability.

“When you look at how we’re going to be asked to operate in NATO under the JSEC [Joint Supporting and Enabling Command] construct, you’re going to have to have several of these sites to sustain and support the movement of combat forces,” said Alexander. "These kits are an integral part of that, and we don’t have enough U.S. forces to do that on our own, so this interoperability training is crucial to providing that combat power if we ever go into a large-scale combat operation.”