1644th Transportation Company on Road Toward Deployment

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Soldiers with the 1644th Transportation Company from the Rock Falls Armory, Rock Falls observe actors during a observing and reporting class April 9 at the Marseilles Training Center.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (04/16/2011)(readMedia)-- More than 170 soldiers of the 1644th Transportation Company from the Rock Falls Armory, Rock Falls completed part of their pre-deployment training April 15 at the Marseilles Training Center (MTC) in preparation of their deployment to Iraq scheduled to take place this summer.

The premobilization training certification allows the 1644th, nicknamed "Rolling Thunder," to prepare for its deployment to perform transportation missions in support of Operation New Dawn in Iraq.

Soldiers participated in weapons qualification, took part in real-time battle drills, Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) training, and other exercises.

"We want to make sure our Soldiers gain the confidence and the skills to complete our mission in combat," said Capt. Michael Barton of Greenville, company commander of the 1644th. "It is important to make the training realistic to prepare them for the situations they may face in Iraq."

The unit deployed to Iraq in 2004 to provide over-the-road transportation support; specializing in long distance transportation of equipment and supplies throughout parts of Iraq and Kuwait.

"We're basically the 'Wal-Mart' distribution of the Army," said Barton. "Whatever the transportation mission is, we're the guys they call on."

The preparation for this deployment has ensured training is aligned to the standard operations conducted in combat theaters, said Barton. Working in conjunction with the Pre-mobilization Training Assistance Element (PTAE) in Springfield, the training has been specialized to hone the skills and needs of a transportation unit and its mission.

The training has given Soldiers a real-time understanding of their focus and role for the mission, said Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Hacker of Rock Falls, the noncommissioned officer in charge of readiness with the 1644th.

This has given them confidence in their teams, squads and platoons, boosting the overall morale and readiness of the company, he said.

The Soldiers bring a diverse set of knowledge from their civilian occupations that allow them to add to their training and make them more able to accomplish their mission, said Staff Sgt. Daniel Wort of Mt. Sterling, a team leader with the 1644th.

"In the National Guard, your civilian job can hone your skills to make you a better Soldier," said Wort, "You can see the Soldiers are able to think and react quicker to training situations."

Barton explained that the company understands it has been called up by the country to serve in Iraq. He said his company has professionalism and motivatied.

The company will mobilize to Fort Bliss, Texas this summer before deploying overseas.