Winter changes everything for Fort Campbell’s 101st Sustainment Brigade in Afghanistan

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Written by Sgt. Sinthia Rosario
101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

Fort Campbell KY - 101st Airborne Division

Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan – As winter sets in the cold weather will bring slippery ice covered roads that can put soldier’s driving skills to the test if they are not prepared for these types of conditions.

Task Force Lifeliner soldiers are taking the steps necessary to prepare for the icy winter ahead by learning how to prepare their colossal vehicles and themselves for the Afghanistan winter.

Pfc. Val J. Irick (left), a native of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Pfc. Ryan M. Sindle (right), a native of Elkhart, Ind., both soldiers with the Task Force Lifeliner command security team, attach firmly a snow chain on a mine resistant ambushed protected vehicle tire as part of winter training class, Oct. 26, 2013, at Bagram Air Field, Parwan province, Afghanistan. This training teaches the soldiers how to properly apply snow chains on tires and how to operate their vehicles in cold weather conditions. (Sgt. Sinthia Rosario, Task Force Lifeliner Public Affairs)

Veteran Task Force Lifeliner mechanics prepared a thorough training curriculum for these drivers knowing what’s right around the corner in the mountainous regions.

“Last deployment my driver encountered some black ice and before he knew it he was already sideways. By the time he actually hit the pavement that truck had nowhere to go but to roll over,” exclaimed Sgt. Andrew J. Newcomb, mechanic shop foreman for Task Force Lifeliner.

The soldiers received a class on what to expect; then they learn hands-on how to apply chains to their vehicles. This training is imperative for the soldier as they continue to execute sustainment and retrograde operation missions as they will continue throughout the harsh Afghan winter.

Newcomb, a native of Orfordville, WI, said, “Handling characteristics are going to change immensely. Everything gets slippery… everything just does not handle the same.”

The highly trained mechanics ensure each driver leaves the training with the confidence and knowledge on how to operate safely in winter conditions.

“The roads, they are already hard enough to drive on as it is but with the snow it’s going to be a lot more treacherous. Keep it smooth, keep it steady and do what I gotta do to keep my guys safe, said Task Force Lifeliner Pvt. Maleke F.M. Seaward, a driver with the command security team.

“I think it’s very important safety, safety for everything. I have a lot of people I have to take care of when I’m driving. Gotta make sure that I’m safe, make sure all my people are safe so we can go home and see our families, daughters, wives, husbands…”

Newcomb emphasized the importance for these soldiers to learn to place the snow tire chains and how to drive in the winter. He continued to explain that they will eventually encounter these conditions and when they do they are going to have to react. The conducted training better prepares these soldiers for the missions ahead when these conditions become there new daily reality.

“The key points I picked up really from these guys to stay safe don’t panic, keep everything smooth, slow is smooth, smooth is fast and basically just keep eyes on the road and be very vigilant,” emphatically explained Seaward, a native of Luray, VA.