The deployment, redeployment process doesn’t just involve troops, but all of the equipment they must bring with them to the fight such as tanks and bradleys.
Our Brooke Bednarz is in Kuwait and had the opportunity to witness first hand the port operations that make the transition of brigades seamless so the U.S. Army doesn’t lose its footprint in the fight.
Over 2,000 Greywolf vehicles are being transported here to the Port of Shuaiba to be uploaded onto vessels and shipped back to the United States — all of which play a part in getting our troops home.
Over the last month and a half, the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team has been receiving the vehicles of their replacement, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team from Fort Bliss at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait, all while also loading their own vehicles on ships in preparation of their redeployment home.
“The two operations occur concurrently though without any decrease in capability in this country,” MAJ. John Byler of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team said.
By the 3rd Brigade assisting with the 2nd Brigade’s deployment process into Kuwait, when 2nd Brigade gets all boots on the ground, they will be ready to assume responsibility, allowing the Fort Hood soldiers of the 3rd Brigade to come home.
“So, we expect 3rd Brigade to be complete with their redeployment operation by the middle of this month. 2nd Brigade is, though I can’t give a percentage, is nearly, very nearly complete.” MAJ. Byler added.
Approximately 80 Fort Hood soldiers have been running a 24-hour operation every time a military vessel pulls into port. But now, they are joined by 80 Fort Bliss soldiers.
“I actually deployed the Brigade out of the Port of San Diego, so I’m receiving the brigade in the Port of Kuwait to help expedite our operations in the CENTCOM area of operations,” MAJ. Joseph Paolilli of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team said.
The two brigades will continue to work together until the 3rd Brigade returns to Fort Hood, at which time, the 2nd Brigade will carry on for them both.
“We had two vessels come here, the first vessel showed up, I want to say two or three weeks ago before we had anyone on the ground. So, when they leave in the next week or two, we will help upload the remainder of their equipment that doesn’t make it on the next two or three vessels,” MAJ. Paolilli added.
All of the Greywolf vehicles are expected to arrive back to Fort Hood by the middle of January.
The military vehicles loaded and unloaded from the vessel ranged from trucks to tanks.
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