Washington Guard strengthens mobilization readiness

Washington Guard strengthens mobilization readiness

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. - Moving thousands of Soldiers and their equipment to the National Training Center requires more than loading vehicles onto trucks or aircraft; it takes detailed planning, technical expertise and personnel trained to move military equipment safely and efficiently, as Soldiers assigned to the Washington Army National Guard's 181st Light Support Battalion proved.

During a mobilization readiness exercise from Oct. 15-16, they prepared military vehicles and equipment for transportation, conducted joint inspections, and safely loaded cargo onto military aircraft. The training was part of the Washington Army National Guard's ongoing preparations for an upcoming rotation to the National Training Center, or NTC, at Fort Irwin, California.

"We train as we fight. Preparing for NTC involves the same steps the brigade would take to prepare for large-scale combat mobilizations. The more experience Soldiers have to execute the process, the more prepared they are if they must do it for a worldwide mobilization," said Lt. Col. Christine Crawford, battalion commander, 181st Light Support Battalion.

Training began with transportation and terminal in-processing procedures, as Soldiers prepared vehicles and equipment for movement, verified weights and measurements, calculated vehicle centers of balance and reviewed required shipping documentation.

The following day, the focus shifted to aircraft load team operations, giving Soldiers hands-on experience with flightline safety, joint inspections, aircraft loading procedures, cargo tiedown techniques and pallet preparation. Soldiers also practiced coordinating with aircraft loadmasters, identifying potential flightline hazards and serving as safety observers during loading operations.

Working alongside air transportation personnel, 181st Light Support Battalion, or LSB, Soldiers gained a better understanding of the technical requirements for moving military equipment by air, from ensuring vehicles meet inspection standards to properly securing cargo for transport.

"Classroom instruction cannot substitute for the physical friction of handling heavy machinery and securing tactical equipment," Crawford said. "By training these skills at home station, the LSB transforms theoretical plans into a repeatable, disciplined capability. This also allows the LSB an opportunity to refine our SOPs [standard operating procedures] and conduct targeted drills. We don't train until we get it right; we train until we can't get it wrong."

Beyond building technical proficiency, the exercise provided an opportunity to evaluate the battalion's mobilization procedures and identify areas for improvement. Feedback from National Guard Bureau observers highlighted several strengths while identifying additional training and preparation needed before the battalion's movement to Fort Irwin next summer.

"Connecting a capability with hands-on experience and training is invaluable. A lot of our Soldiers and leaders have never seen how expeditionary the 81st Mobile Brigade can be by deploying by rail, road, sea or air," said Maj. Ben Dungan, executive officer, 181st Light Support Battalion. "For this exercise, it was a first-time experience for many working with an Air Force load master. Each of our Soldiers now know the basics, the appropriate questions to ask and a fundamental understanding of how we deploy by air."

The observations reinforced the importance of accurate documentation, properly configured equipment and coordination among the personnel responsible for moving the force. A missing shipping label, an incorrect weight calculation or an improperly prepared vehicle can create delays that affect an entire movement operation.

The exercise also showed how unit movement officers, hazardous materials certifiers, transportation specialists and individual Soldiers must work together to ensure equipment arrives safely and on schedule. Each plays an important role in a process that requires careful coordination before convoys or aircraft depart.

As the Washington Army National Guard continues preparing for its National Training Center rotation, exercises such as this allow units to refine procedures, address potential challenges and build confidence in their ability to move personnel and equipment.

For the 181st LSB, the training reinforced an essential part of mobilization readiness: Before Soldiers can accomplish their mission at the National Training Center, they must first be prepared to get there.

"A BCT is entirely dependent on its sustainment footprint. After command and control, challenges with sustainment over distance account for the greatest limitation in unit performance at NTC. NTC is not a schoolhouse. The LSB must arrive at NTC prepared to collectively train in an environment designed to pressure-test systems under realistic combat conditions," Crawford said. "The more we train now, the better prepared we are for that ultimate test."