Missouri Guard unit trains extensively in California, prepares for Afghanistan

By Jennifer Archdekin
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

CAMP ROBERTS, Calif. - Since Sept. 10, the Missouri Army National Guard's 1138th Transportation Company in Jefferson Barracks has been conducting a three-week annual training at Camp Roberts, Calif. The exercises were not only part of their yearly requirements for the National Guard, but it also served as preparation for an upcoming year-long deployment to Afghanistan next spring.

A new piece of equipment that is not new to the Missouri National Guard, but is new to the 1138th, is the palletized load system truck, or PLS.

While at Camp Roberts, troops received over 80 hours training on this new system. Capt. Jamie Melchert, commander of the 1138th, said it was an intensive eight to nine days of training. During which, Soldiers learned the PLS inside and out along with its capabilities and shortcomings.

"When we're in a convoy and 'this' happens, what do we do?" said Melchert. "We have the rolling hills here in California at Camp Roberts and a lot of great off-roading opportunities. So, we're going to be utilizing the terrain out here that we couldn't get in Missouri. That's my number one priority while we're out here, is to train up as many Soldiers as we can on the PLS."

Melchert said that his Soldiers are already proficient at driving, but needed to be spun up on this new system. He added that the PLS is a very effective vehicle to deliver equipment and supplies due mainly because of its ability to pick up and drop off loads without the use of forklifts. Troops are able to arrive at their destination, unload with the system built into the truck and then move on.

"It's very quick and effective and [they] work very well in a combat theater," said Melchert. "They are well-armored, large trucks and can handle most terrain while operating both on and off road, and are pretty flexible."

During the training process, the 548th Transportation Company based in Trenton is providing seven PLS trucks for the 1138th to utilize while preparing for their mission in Missouri.

"The 548th, for a better term, is our sister unit throughout this whole process and we've already been working together in regards to maintenance and cross leveling trainers," said Melchert. "It's good to get that experience especially when it comes to maintenance and breakdowns, and what to look for and the capabilities of these trucks."

While deployed to Afghanistan, Melchert expects his company to be tasked with numerous hauling missions delivering supplies and equipment to both U.S. forces and its allies to support missions which may also involve the Afghan National Army.

"Because we're transporters, over the course of the deployment, we're going to see a good part of the country," said Melchert. "We're going to get to see a lot of the country and drive our equipment a lot of places."

Melchert said that the primary goal of the 1138th is to utilize the equipment. He added that driving the vehicles in a tactical environment, communicating and survivability are key to their mission.

"To accomplish our mission, everybody has to come back alive, in once piece and also to deliver the goods and the equipment that we're taking from one point to another," said Melchert. "If we don't the mission fails. We have to survive, look after one another just like a family."

A lot of the training that took place in California will be used for the validation process the company needs to be prepared to go into combat. This moves them one step closer to mission readiness.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.