New operational concept improves deployment efficiency.The 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy successfully deployed their equipment to Afghanistan more efficiently than former units due to the ingenuity of transporters at the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. The new concept of operations A verbal or graphic statement, in broad outline, of a commander's assumptions or intent in regard to an operation or series of operations. The concept of operations frequently is embodied in campaign plans and operation plans; in the latter case, particularly when the plans cover a series for moving the 173rd Airborne's equipment is a result of studying the inefficiencies of the current deployment model. The typical method of moving cargo to Afghanistan involves transshipment Transshipment The passing goods from one ocean vessel to another. of equipment at locations such as Fujairah, United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates, federation of sheikhdoms (2005 est. pop. 2,563,000), c.30,000 sq mi (77,700 sq km), SE Arabia, on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. . Prior to movement in Afghanistan, all cargo, including vehicles, must be concealed due to the force protection considerations of moving military cargo over land in theater. This results in hundreds of vehicles being containerized con·tain·er·ize v.tr. con·tain·er·ized, con·tain·er·iz·ing, con·tain·er·iz·es 1. To package (cargo) in large standardized containers for efficient shipping and handling. 2. by contract personnel at the transshipment port. The cargo is then shipped via liner service to either Karachi or Qasim in Pakistan before being transported over land to the final destination in Afghanistan. Command and control of cargo at the transshipment port is limited due to U.S. military personnel restrictions in some countries. The containerization con·tain·er·ize v.tr. con·tain·er·ized, con·tain·er·iz·ing, con·tain·er·iz·es 1. To package (cargo) in large standardized containers for efficient shipping and handling. 2. of vehicles is performed at the trans-shipment port by contract personnel who are not as well trained as units in the procedures of blocking and bracing. As a result, equipment may be damaged prior to arriving to the warfighter. Transshipments can cause delays particularly if cargo is frustrated frus·trate tr.v. frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing, frus·trates 1. a. To prevent from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire; thwart: at a port. There had to be a better way. The 839th Transportation Battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. Christian Heibel, was tasked with finding a more efficient method to conduct operations for the 173rd Airborne Brigade's deployment to Afghanistan. After considering the weaknesses of the current model, the answer became clear. A direct shipment of cargo from Livorno, Italy to Karachi, Pakistan would solve the issues that were befalling previous deployments. In September 2004, Heibel presented the concept to representatives from the 173rd Airborne and Southern European Task Force The Southern European Task Force (Airborne) (SETAF) is an army division-level command belonging to U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR), based in Vicenza, Italy. SETAF's stated mission is "On order, USASETAF (Airborne) forms, deploys, and employs Joint Forces as a Combined, Joint, or . The new deployment model proved to be an easy sell. It would provide the units with greater control over their cargo and allow a quicker and more efficient shipment into theater. Under the plan, the 173rd Airborne would be given the opportunity to containerize con·tain·er·ize v.tr. con·tain·er·ized, con·tain·er·iz·ing, con·tain·er·iz·es 1. To package (cargo) in large standardized containers for efficient shipping and handling. 2. all of their equipment at their home station in Vicenza, Italy. By giving the units control over their own cargo, they would be able to ensure that vehicles and equipment would not be damaged due to faulty blocking and bracing. "The most unique portion of the move involves the direct shipment concept," said Heibel. "Instead of dealing with transshipment in Fujairah, the 173rd Airborne's cargo will sail directly to Karachi, Pakistan. The issues of cargo frustration and damage caused by multiple lifting and handling of equipment are almost completely eliminated. The transit time transit time the time required for ingesta to pass through the gastrointestinal tract; a shorter transit time is seen in conditions associated with gut hypermotility, such as diarrhea. Delayed passage from any cause results in a longer transit time. of the equipment will also be cut in half." In February 2005, five months after the concept was developed, the 173rd Airborne's cargo set sail for Pakistan. In all over 750 pieces were moved, including over 350 vehicles which units were able to containerize on their own. The success of this move will cause transporters to look differently at how deployments will be performed in the future. Giving units more command and control over preparing their equipment for shipment will result in less damage during transit. Direct shipments will get equipment in the hands of the warfighter quicker. Ultimately, the shipment process will become more efficient and streamlined. Story and photo by Chris Cole
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion