606th ACS Airmen hit autobahn for convoy training

Published July 6, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Airmen in the 606th Air Control Squadron geared-up and mounted 27 heavy-duty trucks to convoy down a 52-mile stretch of highway here June 25.

While the Airmen may not have been driving down an Afghan highway; their run down the German Autobahn helped them hone the skills they need to move personnel and equipment to support European operations.

"We have to maintain proficiency driving large tactical vehicles to be able to move our unit tasking codes to respond to any U.S. European Command or NATO tasking throughout Europe," said Capt. Artis Poe, 606th ACS acting chief of maintenance.

The unit normally convoys in association with field exercises; however, due to deployment operations in Afghanistan and other areas in Southwest Asia they have not been able to conduct any large-scale convoy training since November 2007.

This was the first time Airman 1st Class Reginald Ward, 606th ACS power production apprentice, has participated in a training event of this scale; during the convoy he drove a 5-ton tank and pump unit.

"I think it was a good and necessary experience," he said. "Driving is a small part in a convoy. It starts with the briefing before the convoy to make sure everyone is on the same page, and any unclear questions get answered. Set up is critical, making sure every truck is prepared and any and all discrepancies are solved. During the convoy, communication is very important. At one point during the convoy the vehicle intervals became too wide, the truck commanders quickly responded and correct intervals were accomplished easily."

This convoy consisted of three, nine-vehicle runs. The unit chose to run nine-vehicle chalks, since in Germany larger convoys have to request -to travel on the highway system.

"In our unit, we have 22 different Air Force Specialty Codes," Captain Poe said. "It is everyone's primary duty in an air control squadron to be able to operate a tactical vehicle in a convoy. There are no 'passengers' in a convoy - everyone has a job to perform."

Each run has a chalk commander, who is responsible for the command and control of the vehicles. There is also a convoy commander, who is responsible for the safe operation of all 27 vehicles, tows and the 64 Airmen involved in the operation. The vehicle's non-driver is the truck commander; he is responsible for the safety of the vehicle and its occupants.

"We also have to establish a unit deployment control center to be the central point of coordination for all vehicle movements, identify truck commanders for each vehicle and coordinate with security forces for mass movements and onto the base," the captain said.

Airman Ward, who has been part of the 606th ACS for three months, said he feels the training was valuable.

"We reviewed how critical each step is in a convoy from set-up to break down and how our squadron can quickly mobilize on the ground," he said. "Plus we learned the importance of communication. Without it, the convoy could have been compromised."

In addition to gaining a familiarization with convoy operations, this exercise allowed the 606th ACS Airmen to showcase their capabilities to the base.

"Our unit currently has nearly half of its Airmen deployed to the area of responsibility along with 127 tons of equipment that was airlifted from Spangdahlem to control Afghanistan's entire airspace and the air defense of the Arabian Gulf," Captain Poe said. "Even though we are short-manned, our tactical vehicle convoy capability remains important and strong."