BGAD completes Operation Patriots Press in joint operation with Georgia National Guard

The Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) hosts Army Reserve and Army National Guard units participating in Operation Patriot Press (OPP) each summer. During OPP missions, the unit's training is "real-world." The training consists of essential individual job skills each Soldier must perfect and group tasks which a unit must seamlessly complete as a team. Completing this OPP training successfully is vital so that when the organization goes on Active Duty, they can effectively complete their assigned missions. The completion of OPP tasks also lessened the workload for BGAD employees. The time they freed up enabled depot personnel to instruct and evaluate the Soldiers participating.

Last week, a Georgia Army National Guard (GAANG) transportation unit arrived at BGAD for their OPP training. The Fort Eisenhower, GA-based 1148th Transportation Company, nicknamed the Road Dawgs, provided ammunition transportation support for the Army. The unit logged hundreds of miles to reach the depot, traveling from Georgia to Alabama, Alabama to Kentucky, and finally to Oklahoma. Each of these stops supported the Army Materiel Command's (AMC) OPP mission needs. The unit loaded, unloaded, and transported conventional munitions around the country.

The OPP exercise, established by the AMC, is designed to promote readiness in Guard and Reserve units by providing real-world training to meet Army requirements. Additionally, OPP units must complete training toward the unit's Mission Essential Task (MET) requirements as dictated by Army doctrine. Learning and achieving unit MET tasks are essential so Army Reserve, National Guard, and active-duty Army units can seamlessly blend during deployments or mobilization.

The tasks completed by the GAARG unit aligned with BGAD's daily mission. Part of the depot's primary mission is to provide America's Joint Warfighters with reliable, timely, cost-effective conventional munitions through outloading, receipt, storage, surveillance, and demilitarization. The depot's mission requirements echo the skills the GAANG units must complete, making BGAD an ideal spot for Guard and Reserve units to train. Additionally, 50% of BGAD's workforce are veterans with thousands of hours of combined military munition experience to share with visiting Army personnel.

Brig. Gen. Jason Fryman, the commanding general of the Georgia Army National Guard, visited his unit and believes this mission is vital because it allows these Soldiers to practice what they learn during their training periods.

"The [110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion] leadership has tied these Soldiers into the biggest mission happening within the [transportation] career field, and it's the best way to evaluate their mission essential tasks."

Col. Samuel Morgan, commander of BGAD, agreed.

"BGAD is thrilled to host Operation Patriot Press units, and we admire the Soldiers' enthusiasm and diligence. The units received top-notch training that will ensure they can successfully integrate into the Army's total force," said Morgan. "On average, the depot offloads 10-15 shipping containers daily while loading 2-15 containers daily to ship. There are plenty of opportunities for Guard and Reserve transportation and ordnance Soldiers to practice their skills here," he added.

From July 13 to 25, 2024, the 1148th TC conducted cross-country ammunition distribution between McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Oklahoma, and Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky. The Road Dawgs are part of 14 units participating in the OPP exercise. Command Sgt. Maj. Regina Stone, the senior enlisted leader of the 110th CSSB, said that she was grateful that the units could participate in the exercise.

"These Soldiers are getting the training they need to be proficient at their jobs," Stone said. "Our battalion commander, Lt. Col. Jennifer Green, fought to get these soldiers the opportunity to participate in this [OPP] exercise, and it really gives me joy to see these soldiers get this real-world training."

With real-world training comes real-world challenges. Throughout the exercise, Soldiers in both units solved problems through teamwork to accomplish their mission. First Lieutenant Tavia Florence, the executive officer of the 1148th TC, said that when some of the unit's vehicles had mechanical issues, the maintenance section rose to the occasion.

"Our recovery [group] has been on-point due to the copious training they've completed," Florence said. "Our commander comes from a maintenance background, and even he got greased up and dirty while assisting with any mechanical issues our vehicles faced."

Throughout the exercise, Soldiers worked directly with active-duty counterparts and Civilian workforce under the Joint Munitions Command (JMC). Private 1st Class Honor Holloway, a transportation specialist with the 1230th TC, said that while there are differences in how the military and civilian employees operate, their experiences helped give her a better understanding of the importance of safety.

"I've learned to ensure safety comes first," Holloway said. "Also, to slow down, ensure we do it right the first time…so that we don't have problems on our mission."

The Blue Grass Army Depot has trained eight OPP units this summer and has two more arriving before the OPP mission is complete.

"BGAD's employees have tons of experience in munition transportation and handling," said Morgan. "They are eager to pass that knowledge on to today's Soldiers."