735th Main Support Battalion
The cadets of the Missouri National Guard's "Show Me Challenge Program" located at Camp Clark in Nevada (a program for at risk youth), participated in common task training with the members of Company A, 735th Main Support Battalion, which is also located in Nevada, Missouri. The training consisted of seven stations that included tasks such as administering first aid, determining grid coordinates and identifying terrain features on a military map. The cadets responded positively and really seemed to gain a better understanding of how the military operates.
The Theater Equipment and Maintenance Site (TEAMS) at Fort Kobbe, Panama, was always been a busy place. But with the planned departure of all U.S. military forces from Panama by Dec. 31, 1999, it was going non-stop. Soldiers from Company A and C, 735th Support Battalion got one of the last opportunities to experience it first hand during a 1999 annual training rotation. Providing assistance in the shut down of TEAMS allowed for some great training opportunities. Panama ODT (overseas deployment training) missions have always been enjoyable, but this rotation was the best by far. The unit's mission was to aid and assist in the equipment turn-in and inventory of Army assets. The ever increasing take-over of military equipment and installations by Panamanian civilians is apparent everywhere. The Missouri soldiers worked side by side with Panamanian civilians in everything from meal preparations to inventory control, to maintenance on military vehicles. The push to meet the turn over of military bases to Panama has proved to be a valuable tool in rotational training. Temperatures in excess of 90 degrees welcomed the Missouri citizen-soldiers. Although this was considered Panama's dry season, the landscape was still green and lush with tropical vegetation. In addition to the warm weather, the soldiers also had to adjust to the laid back, relaxed attitude of the locals. While the work was enjoyable, most soldiers were eager to experience Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) sponsored events like snorkeling, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing and more. The local shopping markets and historical sites were also of interest to the unit members.
The Missouri Army National Guard has made its way back into the city of St. Louis. Members of the 1221st Transportation Company, Detachment 2 now call St. Louis home. The 1221st Transportation Company, Detachment 2 was formerly Company B, 735th, Maintenance Support Battalion stationed in Warrenton. The main body of Company B, 735th, MSB relocated to Nebraska in January 1999. The Guard has been trying to get units back into the inner city for over a year now, to the Mid-St. Louis Satellite Training Site (MSLSTS) (located at 706 N. Jefferson). Company B, 735th MSB was disbanded in December and members of the 735th moved into various slots in Warrenton, Jefferson Barracks and St. Louis.
Ten members relocated to the new Mid-St. Louis Satellite Training Site, while others (two soldiers) relocated to Jefferson Barracks, one as mechanic and the other as a military policeman. Another 10-12 members of the former unit transferred to the new engineer unit (Det 2, 1438th Engineer Detachment) in Warrenton. Detachment 2's parent company, 1221st Transportation Company, located in Dexter, had the task of moving the detachment's equipment to Jefferson Barracks. Detachment 1 of the 1221st is located at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City. The detachment's first drill at this site was in January 1999. The ten-member detachment drills at the MSLSTS, but their equipment, more specifically; their vehicles are located at Jefferson Barracks for storage.
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