Overseas training gives Reserve unit big payoff

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Thaddeus Faxon

The North Dock, at Yokohama, Japan, was the site for a creative training exercise involving MTMC transporters and Reserve soldiers.

A simulation exercise by the 836th Transportation Battalion also trained members of the 91st Transportation Detachment, of Fort Eustis, Va.

The exercise was the first overseas mission for the Reserve cargo documentation unit.

"It is important that we adequately train our Reserve component wartrace unit to support our contingency plans," said Lt. Col. Darrell Jenkins, commander of the 836th.

Working toward this end, transportation managers developed an ambitious exercise Aug. 12-16 that involved both organizations.

"We began the train-up by providing Worldwide Port System operators hands-on training on import and export cargo documentation by using the carry-away system," said Keiko Nishimura, an 836th traffic management specialist.

This was followed by an overview of the Integrated Computerized Deployment System and its interface with the Worldwide Port System.

With this training complete, a deployment support team, led by Tom Brewer, terminal operations officer, deployed to the commercial port site of Honmoko, Yokohama, Japan.

Members of the two units sharpened their skills on remote single port management and cargo documentation in a simulated 300-cargo load.

"We covered every aspect of port operations, including receiving, staging and producing vessel documents for the upload" said Brewer.

Worldwide Port System operators scanned hundreds of cargo records that were simulated using index cards. The information was then downloaded into the Worldwide Port System.

Integrated Computerized Deployment System operators provided the actual stow locations for each piece of cargo.

This was the first time the Reservists documented cargo using an automated system.

An added benefit for the transporters was hands-on training with the newest hand-held scanners and barcode label printers. Training was provided by MTMC training instructors.

The exercise provided a win-win training opportunity for transporters from both units.

"We trained to mission-essential task list standards and tested our ability to accomplish our MTMC single port manager role," said Brewer.

The exercise emphasized readiness, said Jenkins.

"The exercise reaffirmed our readiness to deploy wherever and whenever our team is called to manage and execute port operations in support of a real-world contingency," said Jenkins.

The exercise was so successful that 836th transporters are already planning for the battalion's 2003 simulated exercise, which will include another Reserve unit's training in an overseas deployment mission.