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726th ACS rolls through convoy training

Air Combat Command News

Release Date: 8/01/2003

By Capt. Kelley Thibodeau 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/1/2003 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho. (ACCNS) -- A sea of camouflaged helmets, people, water containers, web harnesses and tips of M-16s rustled in anticipation on a recent hot and sunny morning here.

More than 40 people of the 726th Air Control Squadron here were preparing for convoy training recently.

"We're taking replacements and equipment to the fight," said Maj. Stephen Knight, the convoy commander. "We must learn how to get people and equipment safely between the hostile area and support areas in the rear echelon of battle."

"Safety and convoy understanding is critical to the success of this type of mission," said Major Knight. "It doesn't help if we bring in replacements and equipment, but they're not able to get the people, pieces, and parts to the fight."

After the customary pre-mission briefing, drivers and those people riding "shotgun" check their vehicles, humvees, two-and-a-half-ton and five-ton trucks.

"We're checking the basics and running our standardized checklist," said Capt. Jayson Murgoitio, 726th ACS controller. "Since I'm driving a humvee that will protect the convoy, I want to make sure that the vehicle is in good running condition and will be able to handle the potential stresses if the convoy is attacked. Our checklists are patterned after (Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft) pre-flight checklists."

Just as aircrew spend time after engine starts in a warm-up period with maintainers checking various controls, vehicle checks for the 726th ACS is also a team effort.

"Warm up gives the five-tons time to build up air pressure for brakes and shifting since they are automatics," said Airman 1st Class Rebecca Casey, 726th ACS mechanic.

As warm up finishes for the eight-vehicle convoy, the convoy warriors arrive at their assigned rides, carrying water on their backs and M-16s and M-60s in their hands. They are going into simulated hostile country. The troops for this scenario are replacements for the squadron's various career fields in a simulated deployed location.

"Our job is to drive in concert and get the people to the fight," Major Knight said. The vehicles line up according to an established order, a humvee scout at the front and in the back. The signal to move out comes from the convoy commander.

The convoy drives about two miles and stops to check for hot brakes, just before entering simulated hostile country. As people riding "shotgun" check hot brakes and use the correct hand signals, the entire convoy changes its appearance, redirecting from peacetime convoy configurations to heightened-engagement-awareness configuration.

"The troops in the backs of the trucks take defensive fighting positions and watch in all directions for anything out of the ordinary," Captain Murgoitio said.

Situational awareness is essential to the survival of the convoy personnel and equipment when in a hostile environment. Troops in the back of the five-ton and two and a half-ton trucks use the sides of the trucks as protection and have their weapons ready for potential conflict.

"My situational awareness is heightened when I know we're training for hostile country," Airman Casey said. "I want to do the training here and not at a real-world deployment." Two scout vehicles have more firepower with M-60s in the back of the humvees.

"My role is to lay down fire to protect the convoy in case of enemy attack," said Airman 1st Class Jason Diemer, a 726th ACS member who normally works with airspace control and warning system electronic protection. "This is good practice so I know what to expect if I am asked to take this position when I deploy."

The convoy meets up with enemy troops early into the trip. Although some damage was sustained, the convoy and its troops survive as a whole. The convoy stops and the evaluators and players talk about the latest scenario.

"We're helping our airmen to learn about force protection tactics in a hostile environment," said Master Sgt. Donald Thompson, a security forces member of the 726th ACS and evaluator during this exercise. "Security forces units may not be available to escort a convoy so we're teaching the squadron the basics in force protection."

The basics of force protection include the ever-present need for situational awareness. This is one of the first force-protection exercises for the squadron involving security forces tactics for convoy protection.

"The best thing that people in a convoy such as this can do is be flexible in any situation," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Ramsbacher, a 726th ACS security forces member and evaluator for the exercise. "People won't always know the exact situation and must be able to change their mindsets quickly to take in more information."

The convoy arrives safely home about two hours after the beginning of the exercise. The troops in the 726th ACS have more miles under their belts and the training fresh on their minds.

"Ideally we would like to deploy to the field every quarter," said Lt. Col. Lee Gardner, the commander of the 726th ACS. "We stay in tune with current events worldwide and try very hard to practice for tomorrow's field condition, not yesterday's. Our number-one goal is to continue to learn more about convoy techniques and tactics to better protect our most important asset - the airmen.

"This exercise was designed to train officers in being convoy commanders. We practice today knowing that tomorrow we may do so for real. It's critical that everyone know what needs to be done should the real event occur."