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TRANSLOTS

More than 740 soldiers from 28 different Army Reserve, National Guard and active-duty units joined forces to take part in TRANSLOTS 2001, one of the largest annual transportation and logistics exercises held on the East Coast. The Transportation, Logistics Over the Shore [TRANSLOTS] exercise began 16 June 2001 and wrapped up June 29. It was held in Virginia's Tidewater area, with parts of it taking place on Fort Eustis, Fort Story, the docks at Lambert's Point in Norfolk and Craney Island in Portsmouth.

The Army pulled together active- and reserve-component troops for this exercise with people from as far away as California, Iowa, Illinois, Florida, Washington, D.C., and various other spots. Three reserve-component transportation battalions and a corps support battalion participated in the exercise. Truck drivers, watercraft operators, cargo handlers and other transportation specialists had an opportunity to practice their military occupational specialties, moving tons of cargo across both land and water.

In addition to safety challenges inherent in cargo and transportation operations, inclement weather during the exercise created its own set of safety concerns. Heavy rains reduced visibility and created slick roads, while lightning posed a significant hazard. During one storm, a bolt of lightning struck a crane aboard the Fast Sealift Ship Regulus. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

The Army Reserve's 338th Harbormaster Detachment faced the challenges of inclement weather and sustained operations for the first time. The 338th, based on Fort Story, Va., is a new type of unit. It was formed in October 2000 to support watercraft activities and ensure safe operations. During TRANSLOTS 2001, 338th soldiers established a field site on Craney Island, where they coordinated the arrival of landing crafts and amphibious vehicles carrying cargo. They also helped run port operations at Lambert's Point. The exercise allowed the 338th to set up in the field and conduct operations like they would during a real-world deployment. The 338th got to work with a lot of the same people they would work with if they deployed. Many of the soldiers are new in the Army and haven't had a chance to experience anything like this. This was a good opportunity for them to learn how to do their mission in the field.

Grecian Firebolt 2001, a worldwide communications exercise, was held at the same time and in some of the same locations as TRANSLOTS. Soldiers of the 228th Signal Brigade based in Spartansburg, S.C. worked on Fort Eustis and Fort Story, and helped provide communications support to TRANSLOTS participants. The 311th Signal Command from Fort Meade, Md., ran Grecian Firebolt from A.P. Hill, Va.

More than 740 soldiers from 28 different Army Reserve, National Guard and active-duty units joined forces to take part in TRANSLOTS 2001, one of the largest annual transportation and logistics exercises held on the East Coast. The exercise began June 16 and ended June 29. It was held in Virginia's Tidewater area, with parts of it taking place on Fort Eustis, Fort Story, the docks at Lambert's Point in Norfolk and Craney Island in Portsmouth. Three reserve-component transportation battalions and a corps support battalion participated in the exercise. Truck drivers, watercraft operators, cargo handlers and other transportation specialists had an opportunity to practice their military occupational specialties, moving tons of cargo across both land and water.

In addition to safety challenges inherent in cargo and transportation operations, inclement weather during the exercise created its own set of safety concerns. Heavy rains reduced visibility and created slick roads, while lightning posed a significant hazard. During one storm, a bolt of lightning struck a crane aboard the Fast Sealift Ship USNS Regulus. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The Army Reserve's 338th Harbormaster Detachment faced the challenges of inclement weather and sustained operations for the first time. The 338th, based on Fort Story, Va., is a new type of unit. It was formed in October to support watercraft activities and ensure safe operations. During TRANSLOTS 2001, 338th soldiers established a field site on Craney Island, where they coordinated the arrival of landing crafts and amphibious vehicles carrying cargo. They also helped run port operations at Lambert's Point.