599th helps 25th ID soldiers return from OIF, OEF.

Nearly a year ago the 599th Transportation Group assisted with the largest unit move of the 25th Infantry Division since the Vietnam conflict. Today, the Group is faced with an equal challenge of returning the Hawaii-based unit's equipment back to Schofield Barracks.

After months of supporting the Global War on Terrorism in Southwest Asia, the Soldiers of the 25th ID are eager to be home--and, the 599th is ready and willing to help.

"It has been a tremendous challenge and a great honor to assist with the return of the 25th Infantry Division equipment back to home station in Hawaii," said Mr. Edwin Ancheta, 599th Traffic Management Specialist.

"The task of reconstituting and coordinating the movement of vehicles and unit equipment disbursed throughout Iraq and Afghanistan took the cooperation and teamwork of the 599th, 595th Transportation Group Forward in Kuwait, the 840th Transportation Battalion in Iraq, the 831st Transportation Detachment in Afghanistan, the 831st Transportation Battalion in Bahrain, the 25th ID Division Transportation Operations, Unit Mobility Officers, Mobility Warrant Officers ... the efforts of all these proud professionals made it happen," added Air Force Lt. Col. James Hall, 599th Operations Chief.

What started out as a single load of 2,000 pieces of warfighting vehicles and containers aboard the Military Sealift Command vessel USNS Pililaau is now returning by "piece-shipment" aboard one of more than 20 military and commercial shipments.

"We cannot win the Global War on Terrorism without the tremendous support being provided by our commercial sealift partners," said Hall. "As we continue to sustain our forward-deployed forces, commercial vessels are moving a larger amount of cargo into Southwest Asia. Gray bottoms (organic & contracted military sealift vessels) are high demand/low density assets and there simply aren't enough to go around to meet the demands of this fight. Without the contributions from our industry partners, we simply couldn't get the things that are needed to the troops when they need to be there. Although this does not afford the luxury of having all the unit equipment arrive on a single vessel, the same care and professionalism in handling 25th ID cargo is used by our commercial carriers to ensure each piece of equipment is moved safely and securely."

From shipments of six pieces, to those containing more than 700, the 599th is ensuring all re-deployment efforts process through efficiently and effectively. The Group has personnel available at the East Range to inspect the containers as they arrive and document any discrepancies or damage on the spot.

"So far there have only been minor items like flat tires noted. It's really remarkable when you remember that this equipment has literally traveled half-way around the globe and almost all of it is arriving without a scratch," said Mr. Ace Parker, 599th Transportation Specialist.

Since February the Group has been assisting with the return of the warfighting materials in several ways.

"Much like the deployment process, the redeployment process receives great attention from our transportation specialists," Hall said. "We are on hand at each point of the process to ensure the equipment is delivered in a timely fashion to its final destination. We want to ensure the customer is receiving the best possible assistance from the 599th."

Hall said the 599th is responsible for providing in-transit visibility assistance to the 25th to ensure they are aware when their equipment moves and where it's at in the pipeline as it returns to home station.

"Many of our commercial partners use hub and spoke and feeder/shuttle vessels to transport cargo so there may be multiple stops along the way. We provide near real time status on where things are, when they'll be moving, and arrival time on island. We also assist Fleet Industrial Supply Center Pearl Harbor with discharge of the equipment from the vessel upon arrival, and damage documentation when containers are delivered," Hall said.

The 599th will receive several shipments during the Fall and will continue to process and service the customer with end-to-end deployment and distribution while providing in-transit visibility through the garrison destination.

Story and photos by Robyn Mack, Command Affairs Specialist 599th Transportation Group