El Monte, Calif. — More than 20 soldiers from the Army Reserve’s 555th Transportation Coordination Detachment said farewell to their family, friends and fellow soldiers last week as they departed for a 10-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The detachment, nicknamed the “Triple Nickel,” is a subordinate unit of the 304th Sustainment Brigade, headquartered at March Air Reserve Base.
The detachment was originally scheduled to deploy in the fall of 2013, but was bumped up to January. The marathon of training originally planned by the unit was condensed into a sprint, in order to get them ready for their departure last week.
“We are as ready as we need to be,” said Army Capt. Julio Reyna, the detachment commander. “I couldn’t be prouder of how hard these soldiers have worked.”
The mission of the detachment during their deployment is to coordinate logistics assets within the combat theater of operations. From scheduling convoys and other traveling assets to discovering best practices and streamlining land movements, the 555th will operate similarly to air traffic controllers, but with rolling stock instead of aircraft.
In addition to months of pre-deployment training, the 555th will rely on its wealth of experience to ensure mission success. All but eight of the unit’s members are on their second deployment; for some this is their third or fourth.
The unit’s mission is unique because in addition to serving their country, the detachment will serve their fellow Soldiers as well, said Army Col. Scott Swanson, commander of the 304th Sustainment Brigade.
“The convoys that the 555th manages, will deliver vital supplies to warfighters from every branch of the military,” said Swanson.
Army Staff Sgt. Cristian Arreaza, 555 Transportation Coordination Detachment, says goodbye to Halia, 4, daughter of Arreaza’s partner, during a sendoff ceremony held in El Monte, Calif., Jan. 13. The unit will be deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Army photo / SGT Tracy Ellingsen)
