Roger Hone, instructor of the hazardous materials drivers and certifiers courses for European standard, shows Soldiers from 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, how to inspect an M977 A4 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck June 23, 2016, in the 64th BSB motor pool. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Grady Jones)
By Staff Sgt. Grady Jones
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
A 40-hour course to increase Soldiers’ readiness, adaptability and proficiency of transporting and handling hazardous materials (HAZMAT) in locations beyond the United States was held on Fort Carson June 20-24, 2016.
Soldiers from 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted the hazardous material handlers course.
“The objective is to give the drivers all the information that is required to drive in 49 different countries,” said Roger Hone, military instructor for the HAZMAT drivers and certifiers courses for the European standard.
Guidelines for transporting HAZMAT differ in each country, he said.
“The big difference is that most other countries use the metric system of measurement and use different placards for identifying hazardous materials. Also, there are different road signs used in other nations,” Hone said.
This particular course certifies Soldiers to transport HAZMAT in more than 49 countries within regulatory standards for up to five years after completion.
“Military drivers will be certified to drive in areas that include parts of Northern Africa and most countries in Europe for logistical packages such as fuel cans, cylinders, tankers and ammunition,” Hone said.
Compliance is key when conducting operations abroad, said Warrant Officer Abraham Rosales, 3rd ABCT mobility warrant officer.
“Other countries where we might be asked to go to have different sets of rules than compared to the United States and what’s required in Iraq or Afghanistan,” said Rosales. “If our drivers are pulled over by law enforcement in those other countries, they could possibly be hit with a $10,000 fine and/or taken to jail if they are not found to be certified and within compliance.”
Many of the attendees were already aware of much of the information taught, such as handling fuels and petroleum, but were unaware of the dynamics of handling other hazardous items.
“Most people know about flammability, but don’t know about corrosiveness of some items (such as) batteries,” Hone said. “This course will make the troops more aware.
Having Soldiers certified to transport HAZMAT gives a commander more flexibility to distribute logistics to the troops.
“The purpose of logisticians is to get supplies to the front lines, allowing the commander to sustain operations,” said Cpl. Richard Reed, petroleum supply specialist, Company A, 64th BSB. “This training will help us get those supplies to the Soldiers in need in a safe, orderly and legal fashion.”
The 3rd ABCT is preparing for an upcoming rotation at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, and is taking part in the lead-up field training exercise, “Iron Strike,” this month.