JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) completed its first training mission with the newly formed 3rd Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) as part of the Terminal Warrior Joint Logistics Over The Shore (JLOTS) 2015 exercise last month and for the first time in recent history, the U.S. Army has given an active component organiazation the the opportunity to assist in training and organization of it's Army Reserve counterpart.
The 7th TB(X) began planning for this major training exercise, refered to as Terminal Warrior, last year with the activation of the 3rd TB(X). The initial planning focused on a Training/Ready "1" training cycle for the newly formed organization, which was created to mirror what the 7th TB(X) had become only one year prior. One year prior to the start of initial planning for Terminal Warrior 2015, 7th TB(X) celebrated its one year anniversary as an Expeditionary Transportation Brigade.
Prior to its transformation in 2014, the 7th TB(X) was known as the 7th Sustainment Brigade and the 7th Transportation Group respectively. The transformation was a long process in which the Brigade deactivated several units in order to transition back to its roots and focus on their core competency of conducting expeditionary intermodal operations. The 10th Transportation Battalion, 11th Trans. Bn., and the 53rd Movement Control Battalion are all that's left of what was once the 7th Transportation Group. The new look has allowed the 7th TB(X) to enhance its focus on expeditionary intermodal operations in support of Combatant Commands.
During its transition years, the unit had lost some of its expertise and focus in maritime operations. Without this expertise, the Army lost its voice for Army Maritime operations. After the transition it became apparent on just how important the 7th TB(X) is to the Army. This along with the fact that the 7th TB(X) was the only Expeditionary Transportation Brigade in the Army gave way to the formation of the 3rd TB(X) in order to give the Army more flexibility in future Maritime and C/JLOTs operations along with mirroring the 7th TB(X)'s capabilities as a globally responsive command that can react to any marine terminal or watercraft scenario and can also react and give support to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief efforts. After the successful activation of the new TB(X), the only thing left to do was to train our new maritime partners.
Terminal Warrior Joint Logistics Over The Shore (JLOTS) 2015 took place from July 16 to Aug. 12, 2015 in the Hampton Roads Historic Triangle with training being conducted at Fort Eustis, Fort Story, and Little Creek Naval Base. The Goal of the exercise was to conduct a Training/Ready "1" Army Total Force (ATF) Logistics-Over-The-Shore (LOTS) exercise focused on enhancing the 3rd TB(X)'s mission essential task capabilities along with our ability to react Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. The training displayed our Terminal and Watercraft Operations, Movement Control, Mission Command, and our expeditionary LOTS capabilities with units from around the nation including Reserve, National Guard, and Active Watercraft units. The Terminal and Headquarter Elements of both 7th TB(X) and the 3rd TB(X) provided Mission Command during the training exercise.
The exercise enhanced the 3rd TB(X)'s ability to deploy and redeploy their battalion headquarter elements and their Terminal Battalions to conduct watercraft operations and their ability to provide mission command of assigned and attached port, terminal, and watercraft units conducting expeditionary intermodal operations. In addition, the exercise developed and sustained Soldier's technical skills while training Transportation Battalion (Terminal) and down trace units on port and terminal operations including planning and directing terminal operations, planning and coordinating terminal support operations, performing shipboard and pier side cargo load and offload operations and providing ocean terminal cargo documentation.
While executing the training, the 7th TB(X) and 3rd TB(X) came together and formed a Task Force Commanded by Colonel Stacy Townsend, the 7th TB(X) Commander. The 3rd TB(X) benefited greatly from the training as it began to understand its mission and strategic importance of Army Watercraft to the success of the exercise. The Field Training Exercise (FTX) also incorporated Cargo Transfer, Seaport Operations, In-Transit Visibility, Convoy Operations (both land and water), Motor Transport operations, staff procedures, and validated the Task.
Force on Modular Causeway System (MCS) construction, throughput operations, and LOTS command and control procedures. The successful build of the floating Trident Pier at Ft. Story, the formation of the Task Force, and the successful training for the 3rd TB(X) were the key events of the exercise and set the stage for future training and operations between 3rd TB(X) and 7th TB(X).
In addition to the valuable training, the exercise also enabled us to secure lines of communication with outside agencies for the 3rd TB(X) as well as our Joint Partners. Planning for and implementing the integration with our United States Army Reserve and National Guard maritime partners greatly improved our logistics interoperability, communication, and strategic cooperation between our Active and Reserve organizations. Colonel Stacy Townsend, the 7th TB(X) and Task Force Commander during the exercise stated that "we have enhanced our maritime support capability" with the culmination of this combined effort.
The successful training will enable the 3rd TB(X) to continue to gain that expertise it will need in maritime terminal operations. The 3rd TB (X) will continue to increase their expertise, improve its rapid deployment capabilities, and will ultimately become a more capable terminal operator specializing in Logistics Over-The-Shore operations (LOTS) throughout its train ready cycle and as both organizations prepare for Terminal Warrior 2016 next year.