Teamwork eases challenge of moving battle-damaged equipment

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, Fall, 2004 by Elise Holtan

Long before the ramp of the USNS Dahl came down in Livorno, Italy, the teamwork of Military surface Deployment and Distribution Command's 839th Transportation Battalion and Combat Equipment Battalion Livorno was at work.

The operation was thoroughly rehearsed before the Dahl's superstructure appeared on the horizon. It was a particularly challenging operation: Many of the vehicles coming from Operation Iraqi Freedom had severe combat damage or maintenance deficiencies.

"The working relationship between the 839th Transportation Battalion and Combat Equipment Battalion Livorno is among the best in Europe," said Lt. Col. Christian Heibel, 839th commander. "This coordination started long before the vessel arrived."

Coordination meetings and a rehearsal were held at the port by the two units. Combat Equipment Battalion Livorno was represented by its commander, Lt. Col. Mitch Wilson, and key section chiefs.

Before the ship's rear ramp even came down, marine cargo specialists and maintenance personnel from Livorno were inspecting and marking cargo aboard ship.

The payoff took place Sept. 12-16 as 232 pieces of roiling stock and 14 containers were discharged from the ship. Equipment operability concerns were justified. Over 40 percent of the vehicles had to be towed off of the ship.

The close proximity of the port and Combat Equipment Battalion Livorno allowed for a speedy discharge of the most damaged equipment. The two facilities are only three-kilometers apart. A shuttle system of nine flatbed trucks was used to move the equipment that had sustained the most damage.

The Dahl discharge is an excellent example of a symbiotic partnership among organizations, said Heibel.

"Our relationship takes advantage of the favorable location of the port of Livorno with the combat equipment battalion. A better arrangement could not be had for on-time and efficient unloading and distribution of cargo."

Capt. Elise Holtan, Operations Officer

839th Transportation Battalion