Sustainment Soldiers execute real-world rail operations during Operation Sentinel Justice

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. - U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers with the 441st Transportation Company, 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, conducted rail operations June 10-16, 2026, at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center during the combat support training exercise Operation Sentinel Justice.

As part of the exercise, Soldiers from the 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command were tasked with executing a real-world rail mission concurrently with Operation Sentinel Justice. The mission provided a unique opportunity to integrate practical logistics operations into a large-scale training environment.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Contreras, a mobility officer with the 143rd ESC, coordinated efforts across multiple Army components to ensure the mission was executed safely and effectively. His collaborative approach enabled units to work together seamlessly while reinforcing critical sustainment capabilities.

Training began in Gulfport, Mississippi, where Soldiers from the 441st Transportation Company (Seaport Operations), known as 441 SPOC, completed online instruction to familiarize themselves with rail and port operations equipment. Following this initial phase, Soldiers deployed to the Camp Shelby rail yard to apply their knowledge in a hands-on environment.

Over several days, 441 SPOC Soldiers trained in teams, practicing tie-down and lashing techniques essential for the upload and download of military equipment at both the rail yard and the Port of Gulfport. This iterative, crawl-walk-run training approach allowed Soldiers to progressively build proficiency and confidence.

The mission culminated with 441 SPOC teams downloading equipment at the port, which was subsequently transported and received at the Camp Shelby Equipment Concentration Site, demonstrating the unit's ability to conduct synchronized port-to-rail operations.

Contreras emphasized the importance of teamwork and shared commitment to Soldier development. "I can't take all the credit," he said. "It's not just me - it's about people who care about Soldiers getting quality training. Having vested partners who want to see Soldiers succeed makes all the difference."

The hands-on experience gained during the rail operation enhances the Army Reserve's readiness, ensuring Soldiers remain proficient with the same equipment and procedures used in real-world deployments within complex, modern operational environments.

This mission brought together key partners, including the 1st Mission Support Command, Army Transportation Command, 84th Training Command, Deployment Support Command, and the Mississippi Army National Guard. Their coordination enabled a controlled and realistic training environment where Soldiers applied newly acquired skills throughout the exercise.

Operation Sentinel Justice is the largest training event in U.S. Army Reserve history, with approximately 12,000 to 15,000 Soldiers participating. The event consists of CSTX 26-01, Global Medic, and a tech evaluation, conducted across multiple locations including Camp Shelby, Gulfport and Camp Beauregard, Louisiana.

The CSTX is designed to assess and enhance unit readiness in a dynamic, multi-echelon, joint environment, preparing Army Reserve forces for large-scale combat operations.