Page 118 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Winter 2014

Rapid Deployment However, SWRF does not formally require a unit to
carry out a level II EDRE. We would encourage a unit
After more than a decade of units falling in on Theater assuming SWRF to request an EDRE, as this will allow
Provided Equipment, the Installation Transportation a unit to identify potential stumbling blocks for a rapid
Division (ITD) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) deployment. We also recommend that a pusher unit be
had not managed the movement of a unit’s equipment identified ahead of time so the two units can coordinate
on a contingency mission for several years. Given that and train together prior to any real-world mission.
this is likely to be true at other installations, we recom-
mend that command teams become familiar with the Another issue that affected 227’s deployment was a
regulations that cover sea, air, rail, and line haul of a lack of proper documentation for some of the unit’s
unit’s equipment to avoid any confusion during a rapid HAZMAT. The 227th did not have, and was not re-
deployment to support a contingency mission. quired to have, organic personnel with HAZMAT
training, as battalion Soldiers unfamiliar with the unit’s
In our case, Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 24-204 , Pre- equipment supported this function. In the absence of
3
paring Hazardous Materials for Military Air Shipments, organic HAZMAT trained personnel, the unit should
was the publication that governed the shipment of the have HAZMAT segregated prior to the JI. Whenever
unit’s 100% Mission Table of Organization and Equip- possible, all HAZMAT should be placed in separate
ment (MTOE) by Strategic Airlift (STRATAIR). During equipment chests or other containers with the appro-
deployment, the Air Force elements conducting the Joint priate identification labels. If a unit has a large amount
Inspection (JI) delayed airlift, as they did not realize of HAZMAT, we recommend that they dedicate an en-
the unit was deploying under Chapter 3 requirements tire tricon, quadcon, or similar container just for those
(Tactical, Contingency, or Emergency Airlift). Initially, items to allow for whatever segregation is required for
they delayed the unit’s deployment because of several movement, or be prepared to palletize the HAZMAT
hazardous material (HAZMAT) issues. First, they main- prior to movement. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) should be
tained that the unit’s generators and heaters needed to with each potentially hazardous item and prescreened
be drained and purged. Purging is a time-consuming to identify those items that are regulated per Section
process that typically requires extensive lead time and a 14 (Transportation Information) of the SDS. This will
contractor to certify the purging, which, of course, was allow for the rapid identification, labeling, and proper
not possible for a rapid deployment. The ITD person- loading requirements for HAZMAT based on the spe-
nel also insisted that the unit’s vehicles’ fuel tanks be cific mission’s required transport mode.
filled to no more than one-half a tank. HAZMAT issues
relating to reagents in the unit’s medical sets also caused In addition to a Level II EDRE, a unit-level EDRE is a
mission delays. beneficial training option for any unit on PTDO and
it does not require support from higher. Coordination
Depending on the urgency of the mission, different with certain installation supporting entities can also
shipping requirements for STRATAIR will apply. For greatly enhance a unit’s expeditionary posture. At a
example, for training exercises or other nonurgent minimum, a notional EDRE will help identify any ad-
movements, vehicle fuel tanks are limited to one-half ministrative preparation that can be completed ahead
a tank. In contrast, for contingency missions, purging of time and help define the chronology of events and
is not required, and vehicles can be three-quarters full type of reports that will be required. For example, the
(AFMAN 24-204, A13.4.2.5.1). Once the Installation 227th acquired blank rail and sea weight tickets from
3,4
Transportation Officer arrived and explained that the the Installation Transportation Division and prefilled
227th was deploying under the auspices of Chapter 3, all the vehicle dimensions and administrative informa-
the airlift process resumed. Familiarity with AFMAN tion. POV storage forms were also prefilled by Soldiers
24-204 and other transportation regulations can pre- who would require that service if deployed. In addition,
3
vent any misunderstandings and ultimately ensure rapid all barracks Soldiers prefilled barracks close-out paper-
deployment. work (mainly the high-value items list). The unit also
prepared a government purchase card (GPC), single-
Individual units can also seek to conduct additional purchase limit increase request memo to allow for any
training in preparation for rapid deployment. As an ex- last minute GPC purchases to acquire mission-specific
ample, a unit could request a level II Emergency Deploy- supplies. Additionally, at least one representative from
ment and Redeployment Exercise (EDRE), which will the unit should obtain a courier card to enable a Soldier
involve all of the parties at an installation who would to hand carry classified materials. Completing these and
support a real-world deployment. Certain Prepare to other administrative tasks will help ensure rapid deploy-
Deploy Order (PTDO) missions, such as DCRF, will ment in support of severe weather response or any type
impose this requirement prior to mission assumption. of mission.

108 Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 14, Edition 4/Winter 2014