North Florida unit conducts the largest rail load of equipment in recent history

North Florida unit conducts the largest rail load of equipment in recent history

JACKSONVILLE, FL - A deploying North Florida signal unit conducted the largest rail load of Florida Army National Guard equipment in recent history last week, preparing more than 400 pieces of military communications equipment for transport to Iraq.

1st Lt. Chris Hill (left) of the 146th Expeditionary Signal Battalion and Maj. Tim Potter of the 83rd Troop Command inspect the military vehicles before they are moved by rail to a departure seaport, on Oct. 15. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa.

The 146th Expeditionary Signal Battalion (ESB) and Florida Army National Guard logistics specialists conducted the massive rail load operation in Jacksonville, placing vehicles and satellite equipment on 75 rail cars as part of the unit’s upcoming deployment to Iraq. The equipment was taken by train to a departure seaport for transportation to Southwest Asia.

The 146th ESB – only one out of seven expeditionary signal battalions in the entire Army – is currently training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and will link up with its equipment when it arrive overseas.

"This was the largest rail move in Florida's recent history," said Florida Army National Guard Logistics Management Officer Col. Cary Griffith. "The move consisted of over 400 pieces and 75 railcars."

He added that the line of equipment-laden railcars leaving Jacksonville was more than a mile in length.

Military vehicles loaded onto railcars await transportation to a seaport, and eventually  Iraq,  for  the upcoming   146th Expeditionary Signal Battalion deployment to Southwest Asia. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa.

Once the 146th Soldiers arrive in Iraq, they will operate state-of-the-art communications equipment to transmit data, voice, video teleconferencing, and secure Internet which allows commanders and coalition forces to communicate. The Soldiers will install, maintain and operate communications sites throughout Iraq.