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ANTWERP, Belgium — Elements of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command assisted the 838th Transportation Battalion out of Kleber Kaserne in Kaiserslautern with the off-load of nearly 50 Army helicopters and associated components from a cargo ship at the port here, Jan. 17.
The AH-64 Apache helicopters and CH-47 Chinook helicopters began their journey in Beaumont, Texas, where they spent 12 days traveling across the Atlantic Ocean before being off-loaded and stored at the port of Antwerp.
Various U.S. and partner nation agencies are involved in the movement with the final destination set for Coleman Barracks, Germany, where the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade will assemble and distribute the helicopters to their subordinate units.
Hans Roggeveen, a senior cargo specialist with the Benelux Detachment of 838th Trans., said the cargo will be stored in Antwerp for up to three weeks before being loaded onto barges and transported down the Rhine River into Germany.
“It’s our job to get military equipment from (the continental U.S.) and to handle the discharge and the disposition by (Army Movement Control Team) to their final destination,” he said.
Roggeveen said they are more or less responsible for the logistics for the Soldiers.
“Their equipment is very important to us,” he said. “(It’s important) that it gets on the ground without any damage, without any problems and that it moves as fast as possible to the units (receiving the equipment).”
The dock operation was much larger than seen in previous years, bringing together various agencies, both U.S. and partnered nations, to successfully transport the much-needed equipment.
Roggeveen said normally only one or two agencies would be involved in a standard operation, however the size and nature of this operation necessitated more than 100 people from nearly 20 agencies, working together to get the job done.
“This is an extremely intricate mission,” said Capt. Phillip Castillo, a transportation officer with 838th Trans. “There are many units and team players that have to come together to formulate this plan at the end.”
The valuable nature of the equipment being transported was also a daunting task for those involved, making everyone work extra careful as to not damage any of the helicopters or their components.
“This is, of course, very expensive equipment and it is also very easy to damage,” Roggeveen said. “It’s light and is made to go into the air and not to be shipped like this or being handled on the docks.”
“We are very cautious that nothing goes wrong, that all the streets are swept so that no nails or pieces of iron can get into the tires,” Roggeveen added.
Castillo said the equipment is very valuable.
“I’ve seen everyone exercising great care in taking care of this equipment so that the 12th CAB gets their equipment 100 percent safe and sound,” he said.
Diligent planning with all agencies involved was an important part of why the operation was a success.
“We have had a couple of preliminary meetings with everyone involved,” Roggeveen said. “Everything was well discussed and well prepared and that made it go quite smooth.”
Castillo agreed and said the planners did a tremendous job when they synchronized this event.
“To be able to be a part of it, watch this whole event and see it in action has been a tremendous opportunity for me,” he said. “We know we’re making an impact, and I know when these birds get up and they start flying, the Soldiers will be thankful they got their equipment safe and sound.”
