Railhead operations drive strategic mobility for Army exercise

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Large-scale arctic exercises far into the Alaska tundra require support just as sophisticated and robust as the operations themselves. It takes a coordinated network of planners, inspectors, and transportation specialists working behind the scenes to move equipment safely and efficiently.

In support of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center exercise at Fort Wainwright, logistics professionals from the 773rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 486th Movement Control Team, 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 11th Airborne Division helped transport critical equipment for several Army units across the installation.

“The entire operation is a coordinated effort between the deploying units, the division transportation office, the Movement Control Center, the installation transportation office, and Alaska Railroad representatives,” said William Lower, 773d LRS installation mobilization officer. “It’s a continuous flow from planning through final execution.”

The logistics workflow starts long before equipment enters the rail yard. Personnel working with unit movement officers identify all gear to be shipped, then work with the MCC and other transportation offices to book the necessary railcars. Training for the loading teams ensures personnel are prepared and proficient when operations begin.

“By working in tandem with the MCC, our team ensures every piece of equipment is not only properly inspected but also loaded onto trail cars precisely according to the approved load plan,” said U.S. Army Capt. Benjamin Mohn, 486th MCT commander, 17th CSSB, 11th Airborne Division. “This meticulous oversight is essential for maximizing the use of available space and ensuring equipment meets the Alaska Rail standards, guaranteeing that the train can transport the maximum amount of equipment possible in a single movement.”

A vital phase of the process is the transportation integrity and preparation for Shipment, TIPS, inspection. At the designated marshaling area, each vehicle and piece of cargo undergoes a detailed examination for transportability, mechanical soundness, proper documentation and safety compliance before being cleared for movement.

“Every piece of equipment receives a thorough TIPS inspection to ensure it’s mechanically sound, properly secured and documented for movement,” Lower said. “That step is essential to moving equipment safely and efficiently.”

Central to that effort was the railhead operation, a core logistics process that inspects, documents and loads military vehicles and cargo onto commercial rail cars for movement up to JMPRC. Railhead operations form a key node in the broader logistics network, ensuring vital equipment arrives intact and on schedule.

By housing both the MCC and the ITO within LRS, the squadron ensures seamless integration of planning and execution, from initial coordination to cargo departure. This integration allowed for the 257 TIPS inspections of the 65 railcars of vital equipment in support of JPMRC.

“The MCC and ITO are integral parts of the 773d LRS,” Lower said. “By bringing those capabilities together, we’re able to synchronize the entire process and guarantee assets are deployed safely, securely and on schedule.”

Railhead and movement control operations often go unseen by Soldiers whose gear is already en route or in place, but these logistics professionals provide the backbone that enables units to meet training and operational objectives.

“The strong, trusted partnership between the MCT, the MCC, and all participating units is the bedrock of our success,” said Mohn. “This shared understanding allows our team to remain agile and effectively solve the inevitable challenges and friction that arise during complex operations, ensuring the mission is always accomplished.”