Warfare was revolutionized by the invention of the motor vehicle. Battles, supplies, and troops can be moved about the theater much faster and outcomes can be decided in the blink of an eye. Therefore, training soldiers on how to properly move within a combat zone is of utmost importance. That’s where exercises like Exercise Maple Resolve come in.

Soldiers from the 478th Transportation Company, 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), 79th Theater Support Command, based in Camp Pendleton, California, have been training diligently since their arrival to Canada 12 days ago to augment their Canadian counterparts and test the training procedures they practice while at their home base. 

“We’ve been really instrumental in helping move their equipment as quickly as possible,” said U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Amy Johnson, commander of the 478th TC. 
The exercise has allowed the soldiers to test and build confidence in their main vehicle, the Palletized Loading System (PLS). The PLS is a large truck can move loads as large as freight containers through urban and austere environments.

“They’re really great for off-road environments like these,” said Spc. Juan Villa, a soldier in the 478th TC. “ They can really take a beating.”

Overall the training has tested the company’s capability and cohesiveness in an austere environment, allowing the unit to brush up on basic soldier and job specific skills. Johnson feels that this has been a good opportunity to see what they can do.

“It’s putting us in situations which are real,” said Johnson. “Any time you put things in a live context you’re really going to be much more prepared for when we need to go and mobilize.”