Company E Lancers tackle Afghan terrain

by 1st Sgt. Duane Wilson
82nd CAB, 82nd Abn. Div., TF-Pegasus

photo by 1st Sgt. Duane Wilson/82nd CAB, 82nd Abn. Div., TF-Pegasus Sergeant Matt Jimerson, a member of the ground recovery crew assigned to TF Corsair, prepares to recover three heavy military vehicles belonging to 4th Brigade Combat Team, or TF Fury, from the muddy Afghanistan terrain.  The ground recovery team is an on-call group, ready to move at a moment’s notice to lead or assist in the recovery of broken or disabled vehicles.

ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Winter weather hit Forward Operating Base Wolverine hard for several days. Flights were cancelled, extra “snivel gear” was pulled from duffel bags, snow fell, sleet blew, rain pounded and the ground froze.
When the skies cleared and the sun came out several days later, the Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, or Task Force Corsair, from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade welcomed the big orange ball in the sky. Mother Nature let everyone know that the winter season was still here.

As life returned to “normal,” fellow 82nd troopers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team or TF Fury, were outside the wire executing mounted patrols on the not so inviting soft terrain.

The radio call came just before noon.  “Lancer CP (command post), Lancer CP, this is Corsair 71 ... prepare for possible vehicle recovery mission.” The Lancers of Company E, TF Corsair acknowledged receipt of the transmission.

Sergeant 1st Class Joe Rupp issued the warning order to the motor sergeant, Staff Sgt. Lopaka Boshers, and the motor pool came alive with activity. Several days earlier, the Corsair vehicle recovery team had executed a similar mission involving a mine resistant, ambush protected vehicle that had been damaged by an IED.

Boshers was confident in his team as he ensured they checked their communications equipment, weapons systems, vehicle systems, and most importantly, their battle buddies.

Sergeant. Matt Jimerson and Spec. Jonathan Peake were the on call recovery crew and received the warning order from Boshers. Minutes later the team was pre-positioned near the link up point as Corsair’s Maj. John Litvin, operations officer, finalized coordination with TF Fury and issued his orders to the Lancers. The ground recovery team completed their final checks and inspections and awaited the link up with the TF Fury security element.

Jimerson and Peake both share a love of four-wheel drive vehicles.  The chance to demonstrate their driving skills provided all the motivation needed for a squad of Soldiers.

The convoy brief was over and the radio checks were complete. Boshers rehearsed in his mind the vehicle recovery steps and checked his personal checklist. “Do not get the wrecker stuck!” was the goal Boshers shared with Jimerson and Peake. The recovery team left FOB Wolverine with their TF Fury teammates in search of the stuck wrecker.

As he arrived at the recovery scene, Boshers was surprised to find two additional vehicles stuck in the low ground.  It took Boshers’ team two hours to accomplish their mission, carefully planning and anticipating every move. Peake set up the tackle and ground guided Jimerson into position.

The Lancers were back on FOB Wolverine by dinner.  They ran through their mission as it happened, conducting what the military calls an after action review. All vehicles had been recovered, no equipment had been damaged, and most importantly, there were zero injuries. 
As the Lancers shook hands and said goodbye to their TF Fury brothers they did so with a smile and began checking their gear for the next recovery mission.