Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Overseas Operations
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Massachusetts transportation company moves heavy equipment in Iraq By Sgt. Chad Nelson, 135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
 CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq, - With the responsible drawdown of forces in full swing in Iraq, the U.S. military is focused on more than reducing its troop strength. All across Iraq, the tools of war that were amassed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom sit on the remaining bases, unused as the number of qualified operators leave the country. Operations that occurred here over the last seven years required large equipment – so large that it needs a special type of transport to effectively move it from place to place. Members of the Massachusetts National Guard's 1166th Combat Heavy Equipment Transport Company, 164th Transportation Battalion are in charge of a special type of Army transportation system – the Heavy Equipment Transport System, capable of hauling 70 tons. Consisting of an M1000 trailer and an M1070 tractor, the CHET was originally designed to haul the M-1 Abrams tank. In today’s theater, however, it hauls any number of large rolling stock. Stationed in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, the 1166th CCHET travelled to Contingency Operating Base Speicher seven weeks ago to support the removal of equipment from bases in northern Iraq. They are scheduled to continue their mission here for about another week before returning to Kuwait. Since arriving to COB Speicher, the CCHET Company has completed more than 22 missions moving heavy equipment, such as Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. They also provide their own convoy security with MRAP and Humvee gun trucks. Since their deployment to Kuwait in March, they have completed 117 missions and travelled more than 980,000 miles, said Capt. Axel Ruiztorres, the company commander for the 1166th CCHET. On Aug. 14, the 2nd platoon of the 1166th brought their company closer to the one million mile-mark when they rolled out of COB Speicher and headed to Forward Operating Base Warrior. When the CCHETs arrived on base, the truck commanders got the MRAPs while the truck drivers prepared the trailer. Working in the dark of night, the platoon secured their cargo quickly and efficiently and waited to return home the following night. “It’s just like being an over-the-road truck driver back home,” said Sgt. John Spagna, a driver for 2nd platoon, and a truck driver in the civilian world for the past 23 years. “You sleep somewhere different every night and you’re constantly on the road.” Spagna’s overnight driving is fueled by conversations with his truck commander, Staff Sgt. Mark Welch, listening to 1980s “hair-band” rock and drinking energy drinks. “This is our life – drinking water, Pepsi, and [energy drinks] ... and driving all over Iraq,” said Sgt. Welch, who is currently serving his second tour in Iraq. As typical as these activities may seem for a truck driver, there is one glaring difference between driving a truck in the United States and driving a truck in Iraq. On the way back to COB Speicher the following night, the lead gun truck spotted a dead dog in the middle of the road. The road they were on at the time was the biggest hot spot for the convoy, so they decided to call the explosive ordnance disposal unit and have them clear the area. Over the last week, the platoon was hit by an IED or indirect fire on every mission. “You’re worried, but not too much,” said Spanga. He said he was completely confident in the truck and felt safe inside the cabin and with good reason. The truck is made of thick steel, and is reinforced by steel plates. “When the truck gets hit, it just scratches the paint,” he said with a smile. The dog was not a threat. EOD determined that someone was most likely just trying to disrupt the convoy. Unphased by the event, the convoy rolled on in the dark of night and delivered their load to COB Speicher safely. With this delivery, 2nd platoon’s mission in northern Iraq is nearing its completion. They will soon return to their home base in Kuwait and another part of their company will take all the equipment the unit has collected over the last two months down to Kuwait. The mission is far from over for the 1166th, though. They used COB Speicher as a hub to reach the northern bases in Iraq. Once they return to Kuwait, they will continue their mission across the southern bases in Iraq – gathering all the equipment they can from these bases just as they did with the northern bases. “It’s historical ... this is a very important mission to get the troops out of Iraq,” said Ruiztorres. With CHETs, gun trucks, wreckers and a company full of competent Massachusetts National Guard soldiers carrying out the mission, it will undoubtedly be finished quickly and safely. “We’re from the East Coast," said Spagna. "We’re used to hard work. We’ll get the job done.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
 NY National Guard Strengthens Bonds with Allies in Morocco Overseas Operations • 6 days ago
 Alaska Guard Soldiers Honored Before Middle East Deployment Overseas Operations • 13 days ago
 29th Infantry Division HQ Heads Exercise Immediate Response Overseas Operations • 18 days ago
 134th Medical Company Joins Combined Resolve Exercise Overseas Operations • 19 days ago
 Guard Soldiers, Czech Partners Celebrate Victory in Europe Day Overseas Operations • 21 days ago
 2024 (24)  2023 (57)  2022 (71)  2021 (58)  2020 (41)  2019 (56)  2018 (55)  2017 (46)  2016 (31)  2015 (36)  2014 (48)  2013 (64)  2012 (134)  2011 (163)  2010 (179)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil