FORT EUSTIS, Va. (USTCNS) --- Recently, members of the Army Reserve and active duty forces joined together to conduct Operation Liberty 2000 at Lambert's Point in Norfolk, Va.
The 1174th Transportation Terminal Battalion, a MTMC Deployment Support Command WARTRACED Reserve unit located in Fort Totten, N.Y., teamed up with members of the 7th Transportation Group at Fort Eustis, Va.
Their mission was to practice loading and off-loading equipment on the USNS Pollux, a Navy fast sealift ship. This mission was a valuable training opportunity for both groups to practice their wartime missions.
"This mission was critical to the readiness of all concerned," said Lt. Col. Martin Langan, commander of the 1174th. "We train at home station on our critical tasks, but it's a completely different environment when you can actually perform your wartime mission.
This allows for the unit to test their Mission Essential Task List and identify strengths and areas needing improvement."
The 1174th deployed from New York to Virginia establishing port operations, conducting vessel operations, and redeploying the unit back to home station. This was a unique mission because the unit deployed on Monday and started uploading the ship on Wednesday morning.
"This was a valuable logistical experience traveling over 350 miles, setting up billeting and mess, and conducting the mission," said Langan. "All facets of command and control were exercised without any injuries or accidents. This exercise could not have been successfully accomplished without the assistance of the MTMC Deployment Support Command and various units from 7th Transportation Group, 6th Transportation Battalion."
Key 7th Transportation Group players brought their vehicles and their enthusiasm safely from Fort Eustis to Norfolk, and assisted in the ship loading operation. The drivers were taught how to lash and tie-down the vehicles while they were on the vessel.
Units from Fort Eustis participating in Operation Liberty 2000 included the 89th Transportation Company, the 331st Transportation Company, the 551st Transportation Company, the 558th Transportation Company, and the 276th Automated Cargo Documentation Detachment. (FROM MILITARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMAND, DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT COMMAND).
