The Automated Route Reconnaissance Kit (ARRK) is a little-known capability outside the engineer regiment. It has incredible potential to positively affect other warfighting functions. Using the ARRK to survey the area of operation (AO) of the AO Victory distribution network improved the delivery of commodities to regionally aligned forces (RAF) and served as a passive route refinement asset. Simply put, the 3rd Division Sustainment Brigade’s (3DSB’s) employment of the ARRK synchronized mobility, distribution, and route refinement, greatly increasing shared understanding of the AO and ultimately creating safer conditions for Soldiers and civilians.
While deployed as the RAF division sustainment brigade assigned to V Corps in AO Victory, 3DSB executed frequent distribution missions across more than 3,000 km and eight countries. 3DSB provided distribution support to two RAF divisions, Security Assistance Group – Ukraine, and multiple brigades in Eastern Europe and the Baltic States. The diversity of military and governmental agencies governing 3DSB’s movements provided a diverse problem set, particularly for the movement of military vehicles and commodities.
Movement throughout each country in AO Victory is governed by National Movement Coordination Centres (NMCCs). The NMCCs are responsible for arranging clearances for all troop movements and frequently direct the exact route a convoy will take. The rules and regulations for governing the selection routes are just as diverse as the roadway conditions from country to country.
Roadway conditions and traffic regulations not only vary between countries but are also diverse within a single country. Roadways in Poland, for example, frequently fluctuate between cities and villages. Rural areas are often restrictive and complex to navigate with military equipment. The heavy trucks, trailers, and recovery assets used by the DSB further frustrate the infrastructure constraints experienced throughout AO Victory. By the time drivers and vehicle commanders become familiar with the obstacles along their assigned portion of the distribution network, they are replaced by another RAF unit who must experience the same learning process. Failure to adopt a common operating picture (COP) between stakeholders further complicates the process.
3DSB identified a lack of shared understanding between the RAF DSB, the NMCCs, and the other RAF units operating in AO Victory. There was no assembled COP of which routes constituted the distribution network. Additionally, routes selected by the NMCC often contained obstacles unsuitable for the type of equipment necessary to execute the mission. Military vehicles often exceeded the height restriction imposed by an overpass or the turn width available on an intersection. Poorly selected routes resulted in vehicle accidents, damage to equipment, risk of injury to personnel, and the delayed delivery of commodities. 3DSB identified a need to properly assess the status of each route to produce a distribution COP between stakeholders.
Two ARRKs were requested by 3DSB from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). The primary components of the ARRK include a Toughbook computer and dashboard camera. Both are simple to install on any vehicle. All Soldiers and military occupational specialties can be trained to use the ARRK without engineering experience. The ARRK passively collects data on roadway conditions and obstacles as a vehicle travels. The data is sent to ERDC and compiled into a file. The brigade’s geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) analysts can transcribe ERDC’s file onto a map. With the ARRK on hand, 3DSB began formulating a plan for employment.
3DSB planned to integrate the ARRK into existing distribution missions to collect data on obstacles throughout the distribution network. Route data is collected to build a COP of the distribution network used by 3DSB, the NMCCs, and other RAF and NATO units. Each route within the distribution network receives a name that all stakeholders can use as a reference. Additionally, ARRK data is used to advise the NMCCs on route selection for planned convoy movements. Initial collection through existing distribution missions was successful, resulting in increased demand for additional collection.
Actual employment of the ARRK eventually drifted from integration into existing distribution missions to non-tactical vehicle (NTV) movements planned specifically for data collection. Limiting the ARRK to existing missions degraded the frequency and speed at which the ARRK could collect information. NTVs can travel longer distances, require fewer stops, and can navigate obstacles better than 3DSB’s heavy equipment. NTVs are also not limited by an NMCC’s dictated route and can collect information on proposed alternative routes. With the ARRK now resourced and missions specifically designed for data collection, 3DSB was armed to begin compiling the distribution COP.
The ARRKs collected data throughout AO Victory on roadway width, underpasses, chokepoints, restrictive turns, bridges, and other obstacles along routes. Data from ERDC was processed by the brigade S-2 shop and their assigned GEOINT analysts. The S-2 named routes between nodes, selected alternative routes for recommendation to the NMCCs, and compiled all route names into a single distribution network COP for AO Victory. The COP was presented to NMCCs and command posts at echelon with the goal of achieving shared understanding and implementation throughout AO Victory.
Once adopted, the distribution COP for AO Victory will assist the NMCC in selecting the most appropriate route for the type of equipment assigned to a convoy. The distribution COP will provide RAF and NATO units with a planning resource for moving personnel and commodities throughout AO Victory. The COP will reduce the number of incident reports and accidents, ultimately creating safer conditions for both Soldiers and civilians in the AO. The COP also creates a common language for route planners and command posts at echelon in the AO. All objectives are made possible by the ARRK.
The ARRK is easy to resource, train, and employ. Unfortunately, it is a capability primarily employed by engineers. Engineer designation or knowledge is not required to request the ARRK from ERDC. Points of contact and information on requesting the ARRK are available on ERDC’s website. ERDC will mail the ARRK directly to the requestor, who can inventory and sign for the equipment remotely. The engineer regiment owes the warfighter a better understanding and general knowledge of the ARRK capability, especially those serving in the sustainment and intelligence communities.
3DSB used the ARRK in AO Victory to complete a survey of a massive distribution network in less than three months. The positive implication for other theaters is obvious and profound. The COP made possible by the ARRK synchronizes mobility with distribution by exploiting the most underrated collection asset in the engineer inventory. The output is shared understanding of the AO and a safer operating environment for our Soldiers and partners. Additionally, 3DSB’s new knowledge of the AO improved the brigade’s readiness if the theater were to escalate to armed conflict. When assessing on-hand capabilities, Soldiers should consider the implications for other warfighting functions to maximize a capability’s potential.
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Maj. Darryl Kothmann currently serves as deputy district commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District. He has served in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia; the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade, Fort Cavazos, Texas; the 68th Engineer Construction Company, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Cavazos; and the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), Vicenza, Italy. He is a graduate of the Army’s Sapper Leader Course and is certified as a project management professional. He holds a Master of Science degree in geological engineering from Missouri University and a Master of Arts degree in operational studies from the Command and General Staff College.
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This article was published in the fall 2024 issue of Army Sustainment.
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