FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Cost-savings and joint training happened here during a two-week heavy equipment operator course hosted by the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's Regional Equipment Operators Training School (REOTS), for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 103rd Engineer Battalion Oct. 28 to Nov. 7.
"We were mobilized last year to support winter storm Nemo in Connecticut through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact," said Lt. Col. Chris McDevitt, commander of the 103rd Engineer Battalion. "For that storm, we needed a lot of heavy equipment operators to move snow, because their operators were deployed. With some of my soldiers with that skill-set scheduled to deploy, it seemed like a good idea to get more licensed in case we receive the call to support missions here or elsewhere."
"The intent of the course was to instruct Army soldiers on basics for four pieces of equipment: the bulldozer, front-end loader, dump-truck and grader," said Tech. Sgt. Dylan Gwinn, a heavy equipment instructor.
Volunteers from throughout the ranks of the 103rd Engineer Battalion took part in the training. The soldiers held a variety of jobs, but once they've completed the course, their skill will be annotated on their military driver's license.
All who participated viewed the training as a positive experience and another way to train jointly.
"There are similarities regardless if you are training an Airmen or a Soldier," said Gwinn, "both of them start with similar levels of knowledge."
"I came to this course knowing nothing, but now I'm comfortable with the equipment," said Sgt. Jason Jackson, a track vehicle mechanic, with the forward support company, 103rd Engineer Battalion and a Philadelphia resident.
"By using in-state resources we are leveraging the expertise we have, and providing a cost-savings by not calling in additional trainers. It's a win-win," said Master Sgt. Russ Krause, noncommissioned officer in charge of REOTS.
The last time this sort of joint training took place was sometime in the early '90s, but the school house is looking to continue to provide opportunities for in-state and out of state National Guard units looking for it.
"We are the only school house that offers this kind of training in the Air Force," said Krause. "We have the ability to train all components."
"It's been a great experience, the instructors have provided lots of tips and tricks of the trade," said Jackson.