• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Army moving equipment from Korea to Iraq

Army News Service

By Maj. Terry Draper

PUSAN, Korea (Army News Service, Aug. 4, 2004) -- The Army has begun moving equipment from the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea for duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The vessels Cape Hudson and Cape Horn are now carrying the equipment of the unit's 2nd Brigade to Southwest Asia.

The vessels were loaded simultaneously during the last week in July by transporters with the 837th Transportation Battalion, in Pusan, Korea.

The Surface Deployment and Distribution unit loaded 1,700 pieces of cargo aboard the ships for use by the brigade's 3,600 Soldiers.

As part of the deployment, the 837th transporters loaded 80 containers of ammunition at the Chinhae Ammunition Pier aboard the Cape Inscription. The loading was assisted by Korean Navy sailors from the base.

The move of troops deployed in Korea to another hot spot in the world is unprecedented in the half-century American military presence in Korea. The troops represent about 10 percent of United States military forces in Korea. Upon the completion of their tour in Iraq, the Soldiers will return to the United States.

"As a whole, this is one of the most successful deployments this theater has seen in some time," said Lt. Col. Rich Kramer, 837th commander. "From the United States Forces Korea staff down to the deploying unit, I couldn't be happier with the support and coordination provided to this operation.

"Everyone learned a lot and without the teamwork, this operation wouldn't have been executed as smoothly as it was."

The transporters were supported by Soldiers with the 20th Area Support Group and the 1-38th Field Artillery Battalion.

Teamwork and coordination was praised by Capt. Chris Wolfe, 837th operations officer.

"Everyone knew their responsibilities," said Wolfe. "Together, we worked to provide a quick, safe and efficient upload operation for 2nd Brigade's equipment."

NCOs said advance planning was essential for the mission's success.

"This was a great opportunity to assist the deploying unit on all facets of deployment operations and it gave the battalion a chance to conduct the harder tasks of deploying a unit rather than receiving a unit," said Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Sprague, 837th operations NCO.

Sprague is one of a number of the battalion's soldiers who will see the operation at both ends. A number of 837th personnel will be reassigned to work at SDDC Southwest Asia, at the port of Ash Shuiaba, Kuwait.

Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division will arrive in Southwest Asia in September to fall in on the equipment aboard the Cape Hudson and Cape Horn.