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LRS Airman supports convoy operations downrange

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Adam Crown
  • 43rd AG PAO
03/17/2011 --  The definition of driving for most people is a means of conveying themselves and others from one location to another, but for a select few Pope Airmen, driving is more than that ... it's a way of life.

Senior Airman Vrajhi Brisby, 43rd Logistic Readiness Squadron Vehicle Operations, practiced this way of life for eight to 10 hours on a daily basis in a hostile environment while deployed to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

"To prepare for the deployment we attended the Basic Combat Convoy Course at Camp Bullis, in San Antonio," said Airman Brisby. "It's a six-week course for convoy leaders and four weeks for everyone else."

Along with the convoy course Brisby and her team had to attend a Combat Life-Saver course where they learned how to administer intravenous therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency medical care. These skills are necessary for every Airmen in the field to ensure they are ready for any eventuality.

"Both courses were vital to my ability to do my job down range safely," said Airman Brisby. "Luckily, I didn't have to apply any of the combat life saving skills, but I am glad I knew what to do just in case."

The training was especially important to Airman Brisby because it was her first deployment.

"I didn't know what to expect, because I had never been deployed before," said Airman Brisby. "I really enjoyed seeing what it was like to be a convoy Airman; I learned a lot."

While at Pope Field, Airman Brisby maintains vehicles that are used for operations on a daily basis. However, while deployed she was driving an M-916 Light Equipment Transporter series truck with a 40-foot trailer in a convoy.

According to the Airman, a lot of work goes into preparing for each convoy mission, particularly into planning safe and effective primary and alternate routes of travel.

"The lead vehicle driver would map out the route and that person would confer with the convoy commander," said Airman Brisby. "They would then figure out where the midpoint is, or certain distances from the starting location and mark it as a splash point."

A splash point is a designated location where the convoy comes to a complete stop to refill any vehicles that are low on fuel.

"The HMMWV's would get gas from us," said Airman Brisby. "We had fuel cans that were filled with the fuel that they would use. For security purposes, before we started refueling, the gun trucks would take up positions at the front and rear of the convoy."

According to Staff Sgt. Christopher Matison, 43rd Logistic Readiness Squadron vehicle operations technician and seasoned convoy driver, splash points are where drivers need to be at their best, something that Brisby proved every mission she went on.

"Airman Brisby did an excellent job as a convoy driver and load master," said Sergeant Matison. "She performed her job as efficiently and effectively as possible, and thats a big part of why the job got done."

Despite the stress of the long days driving Airman Brisby found time to relax at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation tents.

"I would play a lot of Rock Band and was part of a poetry club," said Airman Brisby. "I still talk to a lot of the people that were in the poetry club and some of them are in the Army here at Fort Bragg. Overall, it was an awesome first deployment and I can't wait to see what my future deployments will be like."