BEAUFORT, S.C. - Making sure a 75 vehicle convoy stays on schedule is a big job, but not too big for the 1052nd Transportation Company from Kingstree, S.C.
They are responsible for maintaining the final checkpoint for all convoys entering the Beaufort area for the Vigilant Guard 2008 exercise, April 21 - 24.
"Being able to work with the local authorities prepares us for the real thing," said 2nd Lt. Jay Norwood the officer in charge of the 1052nd Transportation Co. "This is part of our community."
At regular intervals during the trip, the convoy leader radios in their mile marker position.
At the last checkpoint the convoys are led off the highway to a lot where they can refuel and take a break from driving. Once the convoy is stopped they check the timeline to see if they are on schedule. If the convoy is early, they will be held until their scheduled time. When they are released to the operations area they are escorted by two Military Police vehicles.
"We are the movement control team; all the convoys come through here," said 1st Sgt. Doug Alexander, first sergeant for the brand new 1055th Transportation Co. from Laurens, S.C. "There were eight convoys on Sunday totaling about 200 vehicles."
"Sunday the convoys ranged from 15 to 78 vehicles," said Norwood. The convoys could have come from an hour away or up to six hours away.
"Our main concern is traffic," said Alexander. The purpose of the convoy schedule is to keep multiple, large convoys from clogging up road ways.
At the end of the exercise they will have a similar checkpoint to assist in returning the convoys to their hometown.