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HomeNewsFort Campbell Lifeliner Transportation Company Takes on Retrograde Support Mission in Kuwait

Fort Campbell Lifeliner Transportation Company Takes on Retrograde Support Mission in Kuwait

101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

101st Sustainment Brigade - LifelinersFort Campbell KY - 101st Airborne Division

Camp Arifjan, Kuwait – The 101st Sustainment Brigade’s 594th Transportation Company, also known as the “Professionals,” officially started its nine-month deployment with a relief in place transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, March 28th.

The medium truck company took over a heavy and medium transportation mission supporting contingency operations in Kuwait.

Capt. Jerad N. Hoffmann and 1st Sgt. David L. Mahatha uncase the 594th Transportation Company guidon at the Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority (RIPTOA) ceremony March 28, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Alexander W. Muth, 594th Transportation Company, 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion)
Capt. Jerad N. Hoffmann and 1st Sgt. David L. Mahatha uncase the 594th Transportation Company guidon at the Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority (RIPTOA) ceremony March 28, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Alexander W. Muth, 594th Transportation Company, 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion)

The 594th received its mission in July and spent the following seven months completing classes and mandatory pre-deployment training as well as introduction and drivers training on the Heavy Equipment Transporter and the Army’s M1000 trailer, one of their prime movers in Kuwait.

A detachment from the company used Army National Guard assets in Livonia, Tennessee, to gain experience on the HET, which is not part of the 101st Airborne Division’s inventory.

The 594th also conducted multiple company rollouts across Tennessee and Kentucky using its own organic M915 freightliner and M872 flat bed trailer, an asset they use regularly both at home station and while deployed in Kuwait.

In conjunction with the 541st Transportation Company, a sister company, the 594th planned and executed a convoy live fire exercise in January that served as their pre-deployment culminating event.

Over the course of the week, the 594th demonstrated their mastery of crew served weapons in both day and night environments. This exercise received significant praise from the 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion’s Commander, Lt. Col. Thomas M. Gaston Jr., who served as an observer and certifier throughout the exercise.

“The 594th’s Performance has been exemplary through their train-up for deployment. They’ve really earned the title of “Professionals”, said Gaston.

During the ceremony, the outgoing company, the 539th Transportation Company from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, cased their guidon and prepared for their trip home. The 539th troops oversaw a short, but very effective, right-seat-left-seat change of responsibility, which rapidly brought the 594th up to speed on the particulars about operating in Kuwait.

The 594th Transportation Company will conduct line haul convoys between Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and other U.S. Army and Air Force bases in Kuwait, including Buehring and Ali Al Salem. Soldiers will support the mission of retrograde and redeployment through the transport of equipment that is returning from Afghanistan.

Although retrograde is the primary mission, the 594th will be transporting ammunition and other necessary supplies that will be used to continue support to troops still remaining in Afghanistan.

The company has a vital mission, but is up for its challenges and rewards, according to Capt. Jerad Hoffmann, the company commander. “We will overcome mission challenges through preparation, professionalism, and patience and will take advantage of the plethora of sponsored activities to keep focused during down time.”

Hoffmann added, “The 594th is ready to take on this deployment and come home successful, with all Soldiers smarter, stronger and even more resilient than when we left. We have trained thoroughly on our equipment, prepared for our new operating environment and are ready to sustain the fight.”

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