Soldiers from 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, work to safely secure a Stryker armored combat vehicle to a rail car June 10, 2017, in preparation for transport to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)
By Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
The sun started to crest over the horizon and the few clouds that were in the sky began to disappear as a large group of Soldiers came together June 10, 2017, to commence day five of rail load operations on a nearly windless day at Fort Carson.
Soldiers of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, remained focused after working tirelessly throughout the week to safely load and secure more than 1,500 vehicles and containers onto rail cars in preparation for an upcoming rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.
When it comes to the safety of the Soldiers in 1st SBCT, the first line supervisors, platoon sergeants and leaders are all doing their part.
Sgt. 1st Class Steven Haliday, railhead NCO in charge, 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st SBCT, reminded leaders to check in on their Soldiers to make sure they are staying hydrated and adhere to the work/rest cycle.
After a thorough safety brief, the Soldiers took their predesignated places on the rail line to ensure the equipment was loaded properly.
Pvt. Richard Telle, infantryman, Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, tightens a ratchet strap to secure the spanners June 10, 2017. Spanners are used to link the rail cars together to allow vehicles to safely move from one car to the next. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)
Soldiers were strategically placed throughout the rail yard. Slowly and methodically, they began ground guiding the equipment up the loading ramp onto the flat rail cars.
“It takes good communication between everyone, good leadership and also all the different units that are out here working together helping out each other,” said 1st Lt. Jonathan Taylor, platoon leader, 299th BEB. “It is definitely a group effort.”
It is all about teamwork and leader involvement, said Capt. Jefferson Kramer, assistant operations and training officer, 299th BEB.
“I have had a lot of outstanding brigade- and battalion-level leadership involvement from all the battalions in 1st SBCT,” he said.
The Stryker brigade received support from units across Fort Carson, to include the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade and the 759th Military Police Battalion.
“We have had a lot of outstanding civilian support as well as support from the post and division,” said Kramer. “It is really with this support and with our Soldiers’ hard efforts that we are able to get this task accomplished and be effective.”
Staff Sgt. Patrick Cantrell, tanker, scans the area for safety issues prior to guiding the next vehicle onto a railcar June 10, 2017. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)
Soldiers with 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stage vehicles at the rail yard June 10, 2017, prior to final safety checks and loading onto rail cars. The Soldiers secured more than 1,500 vehicles, equipment and containers for transport to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)
Vehicles from 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stage at the rail yard June 10, 2017, prior to being loaded onto rail cars and then transported to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey)