October edition

“The Rolling Review” 821st Transportation Battalion

October 651st THOD 709th TC DET 411th TC DET 949th TC DET

“SAIL ARMY”

203rd TC DET

129th TC “Knights of the Road”

233rd TC “Heavy Truck”

821st “WHEELS WITH PRIDE!”

on i t i d nE

1452nd TC “Rough Riders”

“SAND DEVILS”

e e w o l Hal

“The Rolling Review” 821st Transportation Battalion Commander’s Corner Lt. Col. Rodney Sell Thanks to everyone for your warm welcome. Since I put this uniform on 26 years ago, I’ve aspired to command at some level in a combat zone. My prayers were answered in a huge way. We have a large battalion with a diverse and exciting mission. I fully expect this to be the greatest professional challenge I’ve ever faced.

Taking over an operation already in progress is a bit like Forrest’s box of chocolates: “You never know what you’re going to get.” I’ve been following your progress closely for about six months now, looking through Lt. Col. Roscoe’s eyes, trying to get a feel for the kind of challenges we have ahead of us. Now that I’ve had a chance to see for myself, it is evident I’m blessed with a team of professionals who will stop at nothing to ensure this battalion enjoys overwhelming success. We have our share of challenges.

Together, we will execute more Combat Logistics Patrols in the next two months. We will accomplish these missions to support the redeployment of forces from Iraq, we will then set about preparing for the drawdown and eventual redeployment of our own battalion. In order to do that successfully, we must be reliable, professional, vigilant and safe.

Reliable: Be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there. Conduct thorough Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services and periodic maintenance on your equipment to ensure it will get you there safely.

Professional: Respect up, down, left and right. Conduct yourself like the responsible adult you are.

Do not use sexist, racist, hateful, vulgar or profane language, gestures or actions. Keep yourself fit and looking sharp.

Vigilant: This is a dangerous place. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times, both here in garrison and out on the road. Look out for each other. Rehearse actions on contact and MEDEVAC procedures so you know them like the back of your hand.

Safe: Life does not have an “undo” button. Pay attention to your surroundings and communicate your intentions. Constantly ask yourself, “What can go wrong?”, “How likely is it to go wrong?”, “How bad will it be if it does go wrong?”, “What can I do to make it less likely to go wrong or less worse if it does?” and then DO IT! We’re all part of a team – not nine separate companies, but one single, AWESOME battalion. It is my highest honor to serve as your leader.

The Wheels With Pride!

Fr om Th e De sk Of Th e Com m an d Se r g e an t Major Command Sgt. Maj. Alma Ocasiosantiago First and foremost, thank you for the great welcome I received from the warriors in the battalion. I am truly honored to be part of the team. All of you should be proud of your accomplishments so far, but the job is not over. We must all keep the high standards set and move forward in accomplishing all missions. Lean forward and remain mindful of the safety standards at all times, each warrior is an integral part of this battalion, and we cannot afford injuries due to complacency or hasty decisions resulting in accidents. We are One Team, One Fight and must enforce all safety standards in everything we do.

October Newsletter

821st Transportation Battalion

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling” Review 821st Headquarters Detachment COMMANDER COMMENTS: Capt. Jonathan Schneider The HHD, 821st Transportation Battalion has firmly established its presence on Camp Arifjan and taken control of the largest battalion mission in the Iraqi Joint Operations Area. As a unit, we are ideally suited to accomplish the historic mission of completing the responsible drawdown in the end of the Iraq War, after over 8 years of military operations. For many of our Soldiers, conducting logistics operations in support of Operation New Dawn is nothing new. Several of our Soldiers have previously deployed in support of this very same mission! It is my honor to serve alongside fellow veterans, who continue to put their lives on hold, sacrificing precious time with their families, to accomplish the mission. I am especially proud of our first time deployers. You raised your right hand and swore to defend the nation, not calculating the possibility of being called to serve, but expecting to do so in the immediate future. You are now deployed in support of a cause greater than yourself, and in the process have joined the less than one third of one percent of the United States that has done so. In peace, let us remember the words of Psalm 121: “I lift my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth…The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Continue to demonstrate the same level of professionalism and motivation that has carried us through our predeployment training. I know the collective pride in our accomplishments will only increase throughout our year together.

FIRST SERGEANT COMMENTS: Sgt. 1st Class Dennis Crump 821st Transportation Battalion, I would like to thank everyone for the positive attitude, teamwork and overall support that got us to where we are today. As we all know, the 718th Transportation Battalion set the bar high, but I am confident that with the professionals we have, we can continue to raise that bar higher. I would like to congratulate Sgt Carla Carter on her promotion and welcome her to the Noncommissioned Officers’ Corps. Continue to excel in your military career and always train, teach and mentor your subordinates, as well as be open to receiving mentorship from your leaders and peers. I know many Soldiers are in some very demanding positions with high tempo operations. Ensure you take care of yourself and each other. Remember, none of us got here on our own, we have all had help in some form along the way and we are a team.

There are several extracurricular activities here on Camp Arifjan, so please take advantage of them. It will help our time pass quickly and make us all better in the long term. I encourage Soldiers to take advantage of the education benefits as much as time permits. Every Wednesday is Sergeant’s time; we will have maximum participation from all non-mission essential personnel. For Soldiers unable to attend, their section will ensure they make up the training. .

“One Team, One Fight”

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review” 821st Headquarters Detachment HISTORY OF THE 821ST TRANSPORTATION BATTALION

By Spc. Leticia Samuels The 821st Transportation Battalion was constituted on Sept. 23, 1943, as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 186th Quartermaster Battalion, Mobile. The unit was then activated March 29, 1944, at Camp Livingston, La. The motto, “The Wheels with Pride,” is inscribed in yellow on a brick red background of the unit crest. These two colors signify the Transportation Corps and represent the unit loyalty of the Soldiers of this Kansas National Guard Battalion.

The crest itself alludes to a wheel and symbolizes the basic aspects and mission of the organization. The linden leaf refers to the service in Central Europe during World War II. The sunflower signifies the state of Kansas and the 821st, known as “the Pride of Kansas.” The battalion converted and re-designated Aug. 1, 1946 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 186th Transportation Corps Truck Battalion and then inactivated in May 1947 in the Philippines.

The battalion was activated again July 7, 1948, at Topeka, Kan. The battalion reorganized and redesignated Oct. 24, 1949 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 821st Transportation Truck Battalion. The unit was re-designated July 9, 1952 as part of the Army Reserve.

Since the end of WWII, the unit was reorganized and re-designated Nov. 1, 1952, as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 821st Transportation Battalion. The 821st Transportation Battalion was ordered into active military service Dec. 16, 2003 at Topeka, Kan., to train for the future Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and released from active military service June 12, 2005, and reverted to reserve status.

The 821st Transportation Battalion has the nickname “Sand Devils.” Lt. Col. Rodney Sell, battal-

The 821st Transportation Battalion gathered for a photo at Fort Hunter Liggette, Calif. in August 2011 briefly following Convoy Operations Training. (Photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kenneth Wash)

ion commander, describes a sand devil as a “ferocious marine shark.” This marine animal lives in a deep-water habitat of about 4,300 feet in the ocean and symbolizes our “vessel operations” carried out by the 651st Theater Harbor Operations Detachment. This particular shark also likes to burrow itself in the sand, symbolizing our “motor operations” carried out by the 129th Transportation Company, which is the 821st peacetime down-trace unit, along with the 233rd and 1452nd Transportation Companies.

During 2004 and 2005, the battalion helped pave the way for our present duty station participating in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, making the Sand Devils no strangers to the deserts of Kuwait. With the last mission Operation Golden Cargo, units across all military branches, including the 821st, participated in the transport of 155mm artillery rounds from the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Okla., to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Once there, the Soldiers picked up Navy missiles and transported them to Blue Grass Munitions Depot, Ky. With the participation in and success of this stateside mission, the 821st are more than ready to take a “bite” out of the upcoming missions here in Kuwait.

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review” 129th Transportation Company COMMANDER COMMENTS: Maj. Dwight D. Dickerson In October, the 129th Transportation Company found itself even busier than it did in September. The company continues to work hard to make the Dec. 31 drawdown date from Iraq. At this point, the company has gone from getting our feet wet, to finding our stride and into a dead-out sprint.

Our Hickory HET Haulers, or H3, personnel in Iraq continue to work incredibly hard to complete their part of the mission, spearheading the drawdown in northern Iraq. At this point, they are now without any of the comforts most Soldiers at Camp Arifjan enjoy, with most of the facilities and services closed. We are excited to have them back to Camp Arifjan soon.

The major challenge of keeping our vehicles up and running is a daunting task both in Kuwait and Iraq, but the maintenance platoon continues to exceed our expectations on our vehicle maintenance and wrecker support of every convoy. Our gun truck platoon completed its challenge, moving out of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and into Heavy Equipment Transports to assist in our critical mission of pulling equipment from Iraq. Our line platoons have met the challenge and continue to move safely and efficiently to and from Iraq. The Soldiers of the 129th should be proud of their efforts and accomplishments.

“Knights of the Road” FIRST SERGEANT COMMENTS: 1st Sgt. Michael Brown The 129th would like to congratulate Pvt. Travis W. Reiss. Reiss was chosen as the 230th Sustainment Brigade’s Warrior of the Week in week 34.

Congratulations to him on a job well done. The 129th is also pleased to announce that 13 promotion packets were processed and approved; 10 from specialist to sergeant and three from sergeant to staff sergeant. Congratulations to the Soldiers of the 129th.

The 129th is awaiting the much-anticipated return of the Soldiers supporting the Task Force Hickory H3 mission. Last, but definitely not least, safety is and will always be Top Priority! Every Soldier is a “Safety Officer”. Keep safety in mind in all activities, both on and off duty. There is no excuse for a preventable accident!

Losing a Soldier due to an accident or negligence is unacceptable. Every Soldier matters!

“Knights of the Road”

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review” 129th Transportation Company Maintenance “Keeping the Company moving”

By Sgt. Luther Hall CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Often forgotten or rarely mentioned, the Maintenance Platoon of the 129th Transportation Company carries the tremendous task of keeping the company moving. Responsible for keeping every vehicle in the best working condition possible, the maintenance crews often find themselves working long and countless hours on vehicles. The Heavy Equipments Transport vehicles the maintenance Soldiers work on every day have several hundreds of thousands of miles accumulated and countless missions on them. Maintenance has their work cut out for them, sometimes with very little down time until the next vehicle rolls in for repair.

The biggest responsibility maintenance soldiers have is preparing vehicles for the Battalion Quality Assurance, Quality Check and upcoming missions. The 718th Transportation Battalion, 230th Sustainment Brigade conducts the inspection to make sure each vehicle leaving the base is mission capable. Sgt. Dustin Houge of Kansas City, Kan., is the noncommissioned officer in charge of company level QAQC. “We do a lot of (on-the-spot) corrections, making sure that these trucks pass both company and battalion QAQC,” said Houge. “We have a lot of young Soldiers working hard and learning their jobs quickly on the move.”

Fellow maintenance Soldier, Spc. Austin Griffin of Kansas City, Kan., is in charge of tool checkout and supervision. ” We take our time out here and make sure our Soldiers leaving are in the safest trucks possible,” commented Griffin. “I appreciate how everyone knows their job and they are professional about it.” Spc. Shawn Maynard of Independence, Mo., added, “Our QAQC team is legit!

We’re better than you and we know it!” Such fervor about their work shows these Soldiers take pride in their jobs and have fun doing it.

Another side to the maintenance platoon is the logistics portion of their daily operations. These Soldiers take care of all the parts, inventory, special orders, vehicle tracking, part tracking and overall vehicle paper work. Spc. Peter Martin of Shawnee, Kan. who serves as an automated logistics specialist, commented, “We have an excellent team with an outstanding first line leader, Sgt. William Higgs. Together we work hard to keep those maintenance soldiers out in the motor pool happy and moving.”

The maintenance platoon has many moving parts, allowing them to do their jobs and to do them well. Members of the 129th rely heavily on these Soldiers to be on top of their jobs and mentally sharp. With an infectious enthusiasm, the 129th’s Maintenance Soldiers ensure their fellow teammates’ vehicles are in the best working order possible.

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

m

“The Rolling Review” 129th Transportation Company 129th Photos

1st Sgt. Michael Brown said “The 129th Transportation Company (HET) made the front page of AKO 3 times this week.

Super Mario showing Halloween spirit for the 5k run on Halloween (Photo by Spc Leticia Samuels)

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review” 233rd Transportation Company COMMANDER COMMENTS: Capt. Jonathan K. Neal The Soldiers of the “Heavy Truck” are doing outstanding things. As expected, they are stepping up to the plate and completing every mission. As the responsible drawdown continues, the missions have become expeditionary, and our Soldiers are adapting to and achieving the mission. They are cementing their place in history as one of the Heavy Lift Transportation Units accomplishing the largest logistical withdraw since World War II. Our Soldiers recently completed a convoy that opened a closed port since 1993. This was due to expert planning and motivated Soldiers leaning forward and trusting their expertise. I am extremely proud of our Soldiers and honored to command them.

FIRST SERGEANT COMMENTS: 1st Sgt. Kerstin Montoya The month of October has certainly been busy for all the “Heavy Truck” Soldiers here. The rest periods between missions are kept to a minimal, but it does not hinder the morale and discipline of our great warriors. I’m very proud to announce the Soldiers of the 233rd Transportation Company continue to set the standard within the battalion, regardless of the mission demand or individual troop tasking. Sgt. Rashad Brown of 4th Platoon, and Spc. Robert Thames of 2nd Platoon, earned the title of “Battalion Noncommissioned Officer” and “Battalion Soldier of the Month” for October 2011.

Sgt. Arthur Bailey from Maintenance Platoon, went further in his endeavor by earning the hard earned title of “Brigade NCO of the Quarter”. These fine Soldiers excelled and went above the call of duty by devoting their spare time to study groups and mock boards prior to the event.

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review” 233rd Transportation Company “Veers to Port” 1st Lt. Sean Chang, 233rd Transportation Company CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The 233rd Transportation Company, 821st Transportation Battalion, 230th Sustainment Brigade, has conducted numerous missions since its arrival to theater, but none have been like the most recent push.

As the deadline for the responsible drawdown of Iraq nears, the units tasked with moving all the equipment are searching for new avenues of approach to increase the velocity of movement. The 233rd was selected to test one of these new avenues: waterborne operations. In a new development, the 233rd was asked to provide a Convoy Logistics Patrol to investigate the route of a newly opened port in Southern Iraq to test the viability of moving equipment from Iraq by sea.

The mission posed new challenges to the unit – navigating a seldom-used route and conducting port lift on/lift off operations – but the obstacles only helped the Soldiers bring more focus and attention to the mission.

1st Lt. Brandon Schwartz, the operations officer of the 233rd said, “At first I was a little nervous about this mission, but I put all the guys together and we developed a good solid plan.”

Schwartz, a native of Hastings, Mich., was also the convoy commander for the mission.

While all of the sustainers selected are experienced veterans, none have attempted such a unique mission.

“This is completely new to me, but I absolutely love it,” said Sgt. David Napier, a wheeled vehicle operator from Chattanooga, Tenn. “This is something that has never been done in this theater of operation and I am happy to pave the way for future missions.”

This mission is the first of what may become many if proven successful, but success for Sgt. 1st Class Eric Morris, assistant convoy commander, was keeping all his Soldiers safe. “As far as I am concerned, as long as we completed the mission… with no one getting hurt and no equipment being lost, it is a success. Soldiers are what I care about the most.” Morris, a resident of Lincoln, Neb., is the Convoy Escort Team’s Platoon Sergeant and currently on his fourth deployment.

This historic mission may prove there is a new outlet for the responsible drawdown of Iraq, but regardless of what tasks may come, the 233rd and its Soldiers stand ready to accomplish any mission, anywhere.

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review” 233rd Transportation Company Veers to Port Photos

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) CAIMANs are loaded onto watercraft to be shipped back to the United States as the Responsible Drawdown of Iraq continues. Waterborne operations are being tested as a new avenue of approach. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Melissa Reynolds)

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley showing Halloween support for the 5K run.

Lift on Lift off operations are required to move the MRAP CAIMAN from the dock to the vessel. The process is time intensive, but must be done meticulously in order to prevent any accidents. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Melissa Reynolds)

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review” ~651st THOD Watercraft~ COMMANDER COMMENTS: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Charlene Winter The summer seems to have left us and we are moving into the cooler, comparatively speaking, days of autumn. Outdoor activities are on the rise, to include softball, volleyball and barbecues. The Soldiers of the 651st Transportation Harbormaster Operations Detachment along with the crewmembers of the vessels have enjoyed getting together and participating in these activities. The morale seems to have improved in direct correlation to the cooling temperatures. I know I’m enjoying it more!

We are preparing to say farewell to the Logistics Support Vessel 6 and her officers as they sail the vessel home and return to their families. We wish them fair winds and following seas. Many of the crewmembers will return here and replace crewmembers of the LSV 5, which will arrive in early November. The incoming LSV 5 crew will help take up the missions previously done by the LSV 6, but they will only be here a short time, most of them returning home when the crewmembers from the LSV 6 return. In December, we will also be welcoming the 548th Transportation Detachment from Hawaii as they prepare to take over the LSV 8, whose crew will be returning home at the beginning of 2012. There are going to be several changes and a lot of work to be done as we reach the end of 2011, but I’m confident the vessel crews, along with the Harbormaster’s Office, will get the job done.

SAIL ARMY!!!

FIRST SERGEANT COMMENTS: Sgt. 1st Class Darell L. Bell News from the port at Kuwait Naval Base Harbormaster Office. October has arrived and the Vessels are steadily moving in and out of port. During their movement downtime, we had an opportunity to have a Unit Fun Day. The Fun Day festivities consisted of having a BBQ with the three vessels in port. This included playing in the Volleyball Sandbox competing against each other. It was great to see the units spending time together, relaxing and not having “work” conversations. This event also recognized the 411th Transportation Company as they prepare to sail their vessel back to the states and some of their crewmembers completing their tour of duty here in Kuwait. The 411th has done an outstanding job here, and we look forward to working with their new crew replacements at the beginning of next year. With the LSV 6 departing, the remaining crews will be busy taking care of missions normally cared for by four vessels. Soldiers within the Harbormaster and Vessel Support Offices are continuing to train and receive licenses on the various vessels here in port. This will allow them to fill in as replacements on vessels. To the Soldiers and crewmembers at the Harbormaster and Vessels, keep up the good work!

SAIL ARMY!!!

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review” ~651st THOD Watercraft~ “Army Medics with Sea Legs”

By Spc. Rolando Foster KUWAIT NAVAL BASE - Within the Army, there are over 70 vessels manned by trained and professional Army personnel. These individuals are some of the highest trained watercraft operators in America’s armed forces. Being out at sea for up to 19 days at a time, you can run into any type of dangerous situation. With the very real chance of danger present from rolling waves and high winds, the risk of injury is increased and no ordinary army medic will do. Spc. HollyAnn Bond from Jacksonville, Fla., is currently deployed with the 203rd Transportation Detachment out of Baltimore, Md. The 203rd is responsible for manning Logistics Support Vessel-8, the Maj. Gen. Robert Small, under the 718th Transportation Battalion, 230th Sustainment Brigade.

Bond has been the medic on LSV-8 for two and a half years. She has seen many underway injuries during her time on board. When asked how life is for a medic on an Army vessel, Bond said, “Its different being a vessel medic rather than a field medic. Most of the injuries I deal with are burns due to chemicals and mechanical heat, along with crushing injuries that occur during cargo ops. I also have to know more than a field medic due to being so isolated from primary care support. My job on a vessel is more compared to an independent duty corpsman, like in the Navy.” Bond received more advanced medical treatment training, such as tracheotomies, due to being isolated from more advanced care.

With the isolation issues a vessel can encounter while underway, their sick bay is more like a Troop Medical Clinic. It is fitted with many different types of medications and support items normally found at a local TMC. Bond has the Medical Communication Laptop, or MC4, in her sick bay, allowing her to have connection to the Troop Medical Data System, as long as an internet connection is available. This piece of equipment gives Bond a reference to look up various treatments for an injury. Another benefit to the crew is this information is shared with the Navy and other care providers.

This is a very useful ability, in case of an incident at sea where the best treatment for an injured Soldier would be a nearby Navy vessel.

With this type of medical information, equipment and training, the Army medics sailing on the high seas are as advanced and professional as the Soldiers they look after.

Taking a look into the sick bay aboard the Logistics Support Vessel Number 8. (Photos by Spc Rolando Foster)

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review” 1452nd Transportation Company COMMANDER COMMENTS: Maj. Teionne Dotson The 1452nd Combat Heavy Equipment Transportation Company arrived in country around mid-September. The company had to undergo scheduled training at Camp Buehring before actually hitting ground at Camp Arifjan.

The company leadership was heavily involved with the lateral transfer of equipment during the first week. Soldiers have been eagerly awaiting the receipt of missions and maintenance mechanics are ready to get to work.

The gun truck platoon has spent a week of training at Camp Buehring to prepare for upcoming security missions. The truck platoons and wrecker drivers have started the Right Side/Left Side ride to prepare convoy commanders for their upcoming mission allocations in the near future.

The company realizes the OPTEMPO will be high and the Soldiers are ready to take on assigned missions. This is the first deployment for several of the Soldiers, and they have learned a lot of over the past few months from senior leadership to help prepare their mindset. Most of the Soldiers in the unit have been preparing for this day for over 2 years. The leadership and Soldiers within the company are ready to take on any assigned missions with safety as the number one priority. My primary focus as your commander is to accomplish all missions assigned and return home with all assigned Soldiers on ground.

FIRST SERGEANT COMMENTS: 1st Sgt. Jeffery Crisco The journey has been long and at times slow. We the 1452nd Transportation Company have had to endure Pre-mobilization Training Assistance Element classes at Fort Bragg, N.C. to Post Mobilization at Fort Bliss, Texas, high heat, and multiple tasks to make this deployment safe and mission focused.

At times, we thought the journey to Kuwait would never arrive. As we enter our phase of the responsible drawdown of Iraq, the Soldiers of the 1452nd are prepared to endure long convoys, ever changing environments and the workings of Camp Arifjan. Our time is moving fast as the mission numbers remain high. We are looking forward to being a part of history as the equipment withdrawn from Iraq is the biggest yet of this war. Looking forward to the months ahead, we will focus on training, missions and basic Soldier skills. We look forward to any and all challenges that come our way and stand ready to execute to the fullest of our ability. It comes with great pride, we have completed our Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority and are now flying the North Carolina flag above our operations center.

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review” 1452nd Transportation Company 778th “Transfers Load” to 1452nd Transportation Company

By Sgt Odaliska Almonte CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait- The 1452nd Transportation Company based out of Winston-Salem, N.C., arrived in Kuwait a little less than a month ago with nearly 300 soldiers eager to carry out their orders and prepared to assume their mission. Upon arrival, they understood the fast pace required and the high importance of the mission. The motivated Soldiers got to work immediately by preparing themselves, meticulously inventorying the transferred equipment and conducting Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services for the missions to come.

Before they could start doing our job, the 1452nd took vital instructions from the 778 th Transportation Company, currently serving as part of the 718th Transportation Battalion, 230th Sustainment Brigade. The 778th shared valuable lessons learned during the past year in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Some of the training 778th provided 1452nd were the Heavy Equipment Transport academies and Message Transfer System/communications training. The 1452nd's maintenance crews worked diligently hand in hand with the 778 th to transition the trucks, making sure the equipment is fully mission capable.

While the HET drivers where going through the familiarization process, the leaders of 1452 nd ensured all the administrative and training requirements were being completed. At the same time, the soldiers of the 1452nd were settling in their new area of operations for the next year.

Although they have faced many difficulties with their newly acquired equipment, the Soldiers of the 1452nd are facing these challenges and going straight into missions various locations in Iraq. Most of the mission, thus far, requires escorting civilian HETs, loading up Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and, on a few occasions, their own HET’s when they break down on the road. While most of the missions have gone considerably well, one particular platoon faced quite a few breakdowns on one of their missions headed into Iraq. They had seven breakdowns, including 6 flat tires. They managed to continue their mission without much delay and fixed the situation by loading the HETs onto their other HETs and kept the convoy moving.

The most they have had to contend with is encountering a dust storm, keeping visibility to a minimum. Even with all these barriers, the convoy kept on moving and made their drop time at their destination.

As most of the company settles in here in Arifjan, some of the Soldiers of the 1452 nd had to transition to other companies throughout the region to help conclude the missions as part of the responsible drawdown before the end of December.

The transition is still in progress, and with all given challenges, the 1452 nd is rising up to the test, meeting the daily demands and ready to continue taking on their assigned missions.

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review” 1452nd Transportation Company 778th “Transfers Load” to 1452nd Transportation Company Photos Photos by Sgt Odaliska Almonte

Sgt. Daniel Saintsing (left) and Spc. Kevin Spence (right) work on a rear latch control box on the rear of a wrecker at the 1452nd maintenance shop in the motor pool.

Maj. Teionne Dotson, commander of the 1452nd Transportation Company, gives her motivating speech about the Company at the 778th/1452nd RIP/TOA at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Maj. Teionne Dotson and 1st Sgt. Jeffrey Crisco unveil the 1452nd guidon being held by Spc Jeffrey Mims for the 778th/1452nd RIP/TOA ceremony.

1452nd Soldiers going through communications training on the Harris radios in the conference room of our operations tent.

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”

“The Rolling Review”

Open 24/7 Come enjoy a cup of coffee and have some snacks while you watch Sports-center or a movie. Located near 821st ALOC next to the bus stop.

Zone 1 Event  10 NOV Marine Corps B-day 5K Run 0600 Fitness Ctr.  11 NOV Veterans Day 5K Run 0600 Fitness Ctr.  12 NOV R & B Dance Night Comm. Ctr. 2000  19 NOV Latin Night Comm. Ctr. 2000  20 NOV Dancing with Real Stars Comm. Ctr. 1900  24 NOV Thanksgiving Day 5k Run Fitness Ctr. 0600  25 NOV Holiday Movie Double Feature Comm. Ctr. 1900  26 NOV Country Music Dance Night Comm. Ctr. 2000

Zone 6 Events  12 NOV Fall Fest Carnival Stage 1900  13 NOV 9 Ball Tournament Comm. Ctr. 1900  18 NOV Movie on the Stage 2100  20 NOV CAN U DIG IT 4 on 4 Volleyball Tournament Volleyball Courts 1200  24 NOV Shoot a Turkey Laser Tag Competition Comm. Ctr. 1900  27 NOV American Indian Arts and Crafts Creativity Contest Comm. Ctr. 1200

Zone 6 Fitness Center 430-7475 open 24/7 Zone 6 MWR 430-7482 open 24/7 Zone 1 Pool - Lap Swim 0500-0700 / Open Swim 1000-2200 Zone 1 Fitness Center 430-1302 open 24/7 Zone 1 Fitness Tent 430-4607 open 24/7 Zone 1 Library 430-1200 open 1000-2200 Zone 1 MWR 430-1205 open 24/7

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“SAND DEVILS!”