HET Training Day 1

The new deployment brings with it many new changes in our mission. The biggest change, both figuratively and literally is the change over from being a medium transportation unit with Freightliner semis to becoming a Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) unit with the large Oskgosh vehicles. Able to haul an M1 Abrahams and other large vehicles the HET is definitely not our beloved M915A4s semi’s.

This weekend we had the opportunity to have hands-on training with the HET. One of the first things covered was the care and maintenance of the new vehicles. I have to agree with the Army’s thinking that before you start using equipment you should know how it works and what parts to inspect before, during, and after a mission. In the military world this process is known as Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS). Everything we are issued, from our uniforms to our weapons, to vehicles and everything in between has a PMCS process to it in order to make sure everything is a mission capable as possible. For the 1133rd and 1168 it’s an important task as our value in our jobs is directly dependent upon our equipment being ready at a moment’s notice. I am happy to say that we have numerous awards for our high level of excellence in PMCS and that in our last deployment we had one of the highest levels of operational maintenance of the forces in the Iraq/Kuwait. After this weekend I have no doubt that our standard of excellence will be maintained with the new equipment we inherit after arriving overseas. Chances are we will leave things in better condition that we received them in…as has occurred in the past.

Some of us were fortunate enough to even take some of the HETs on a test drive around post. One of the perks of being an Iowa unit is that the State likes to make sure that our National Guard units are up to date with current equipment. We are the first HET unit Iowa has had, and for many the sight of HETs on the roads on post was a new experience. For those of us who are veterans though, the sight of a HET going down the road is one we are used to, comfortable with, and for many looking forward to being the drivers being seen.

Although it was only a single day introductory course, the unit is already starting to master the operations of the HETs and many of those who were able to drive them already look like pro’s who have been behind the wheel for years. I can honestly say this does not surprise me as our unit is one of the best of the best. We’re 88Ms, wheeled vehicle operators…and beyond merely “good” at what we do.

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