FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Since 1909 the White House Transportation Agency has provided a fleet of motor vehicles, master drivers and transportation services to the First Family, White House staff and official visitors. From President Taft to President Obama, the WHTA has also provided transportation support for presidential motorcades when traveling stateside and abroad. These hand-picked, welltrained Soldiers are made up of senior noncommissioned officers who earn up to 600 hours of training as master drivers before even getting behind the wheel of a presidential vehicle. The WHTA is the Army's only active-duty support at the White House.
"This is the best job I ever had in my Army career," said Sgt. Maj. David W. Simpson, WHTA deputy director.
Simpson has traveled with President Barrack Obama across the United States and to a myriad of foreign countries. One of Simpson's most unforgettable experiences was providing transportation support during the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.
"The experience I gain is always rewarding, but with the job comes great responsibility. The president is the commander and chief, and as a Soldier, what you do directly impacts the president's ability to travel throughout the United States and abroad.
According to Simpson, the WHTA's commitment to training is also equally important.
Feb. 18, the WHTA made a training visit to the Improvised Explosive Device Battle Drill Trainer at Fort Eustis to attend a two-day IED familiarization course. The high-tech, simulated IED event incorporated intense motion, concussive sound and blinding lights.
"Because of the nature of our mission, we travel internationally and our Soldiers need to be educated on IEDs and how to maneuver, recognize their threats and identify them on driving routes."
This course was a theater training drill with multiple scenarios designed to test the Soldiers driving skill sets. Sgt. Jonathan Tanner, WHTA master driver, was one of the WHTA Soldiers to experience the simulator. Tanner was amazed when he first went through one of the initial scenarios.
"I've never experienced anything like this, it's the most creative simulator I've seen yet," Tanner said. WHTA Soldiers are trained in tactical driving whether if driving through city streets or desert terrain, they must always be alert for suspicious activity.
"This was a great training opportunity, especially if I'm assigned to drive overseas," said Sgt. 1st Class Melvin Hubbard, WHTA master driver.
Hubbard, a 21-year Army veteran who has experienced an actual IED explosion, said this was as close as it gets.
"With the real-time detonation and the jerking of the High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle, I think this training captured a similar experience," Hubbard said.
Although the Soldiers rarely encounter IED threats, the simulated training help expose them to various scenarios that could impact how they do their jobs.
"People's lives are in our hands and their safety is our responsibility. So this familiarization course provided the perfect opportunity to enhancing our driving skills and awareness," Hubbard
said. To find out more information about the WHTA log on to www.mdw.army.mil/whta/index.htm.