San ANtonio, Texas –
Soldiers from U.S. Army North Intelligence branch, comprised of the G2, the 505th Military Intelligence Brigade and the 549th Military Intelligence Brigade, participated in the Air Force’s training exercise Patriot Express, Sept. 16-18 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland’s Kelly Annex and Corpus Christi Naval Station.
Army North provided 15 Soldiers and five total pieces of rolling stock to Air Force personnel, which provided them a unique experience in gaining expertise and proficiency on a broad range of equipment for on and off loading of military aircraft.
This unique experience comes from an air cargo-loaded vehicle called the CONUS Joint Mobile Intelligence Communications System or CJMICS. The vehicle’s length and size provided a huge challenge for the loadmaster, airmen and the largest military transport aircraft, the C-5 Super Galaxy, as they had never before loaded such a vehicle.
“We now know these vehicles are capable of rapid deployment via aircraft and we were able to identify adjustments necessary for success in the future,” said Lt.Hannah Shea, Army North G2 operations officer.
The outcome of this load proved that the vehicle and equipment can be move by military air, and mobilization can be quick when responding to a catastrophic natural or manmade disaster anywhere in the United States giving local, state and federal responders instant communications in and around the affected area.
“I learned a lot about what the shoring is supposed to look like and where it goes when the vehicle is strapped down to the aircraft,” said Christopher Welch, network management systems operator, CJMICS driver, ARNORTH G2. “Actually, driving the vehicle up onto the aircraft was a benefit for me, as I had never done that before as well.”
Once the C-5 was loaded at the JBSA-Lackland flightline, the five pieces of rolling stock and 15 Soldiers were flown to Corpus Christi Naval Station where more Air Force personnel were waiting to off load the equipment.
“This exercise also provided the opportunity to conduct a communication exercise and the full capabilities of the CJMICS,” Shea said. “Although time and circumstances didn’t allow for successful completion of a COMMEX during Patriot Express, we are eager to fulfill that in the future. Because of these factors, the intention for future collaboration and training events is certainly warranted.”
This exercise was valuable to both Army North and the Air Force because the uniqueness the vehicles provided in shape and size. The G2 plans on continuing its partnership with Air Force and future Patriot Express exercises to ensure that they both continue to be ready at a moment’s notice and how to load vehicles of this size.