Story by Spc. Julie Waldroup
January 4, 2010
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Recently, Soldiers from the 498th Transportation Company were able to display their skills in driving the Army's Heavy Equipment Transport System. The Soldiers are learning to operate these vehicles to accommodate the changing mission due to the pullout of troops from Iraq. The training consisted of 16 Soldiers from the 498th TC, under the 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).
Of the 16 Soldiers, Spc. Todd Tipton, a heavy equipment operator, and a Robertsdale, Ala., native, along with three other Soldiers, were given the opportunity to instruct the training.
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| Spc. Todd Tipton explains to Soldiers in his company how to operate the two main winches on the Heavy Equipment Transporter vehicle. (Photo by Spc. Julie Waldroup) |
Tipton is among a few Soldiers assigned to the unit who are licensed on the HET system. Tipton and 15 other Soldiers were selected to participate in this training because having Soldiers able to operate this vehicle will help to play a vital part in the company's next mission. "Helping train Soldiers to operate and maneuver these vehicles, will help make the Soldiers mission ready," Tipton said.
The HET training class was a two week, 40 hour course and covered such things as the maintenance of the vehicle, changing tires and learning how to properly maneuver the trailer of the HET, which to some, is a challenge within itself. Staff Sgt. Veronica Mond, a squad leader in the 498th TC, from Gunnison, Miss. said, "Soldiers were able to gain an enormous amount of knowledge because of Spc. Tipton's ability to properly instruct and train. Spc Tipton set up a course where Soldiers were given the opportunity to drive in the night and maneuver through serpentines."
Pfc. Brandon Swiger, a vehicle operator from Mobile, Ala., said, "Learning to drive and handle this big truck has given me more confidence." Swiger is one of many Soldiers from the class who stated that because of Spc. Tipton's previous driving experience, he was able to give them valuable pointers on driving the HET.
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| Spc. Todd Tipton demonstrates how to couple the truck and trailer of a Heavy Equipment Transporter vehicle together.(photo by Spc. Julie Waldroup) |
According to Tipton, he spent time in the active duty Army, driving, developing, and gaining skills which have allowed him to teach and train other Soldiers on how to operate the HET. After leaving the active duty military, Tipton enlisted in the Army Reserve and moved back to Robertsdale, Ala. He resides in Robertsdale with his wife Cassie and two daughters; Ashton, 10 and MaKayla, five.
Tipton, who is also a firefighter at home in Ala., was deployed previously in 2005. His wife Cassie is a nursing student who will graduate next summer and his father is a retired first sergeant, who spent 22 years in the active Army and National Guard. As for his future goals, Tipton said he plans to attend warrant officer school and flight school to become an active duty pilot.
