European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 6, 1968, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 8 the stars and stripes saturday july 6, 19 68 j they tote tanks too truckers rigged9 far big jabs by Phil Dodson staff write Mannheim Germany is when Drivers in the 377th transportation cohere say they jockey the largest travel in machine the army has to offer you d better believe it. This apparition capable of giving even experienced Drivers second thoughts about its operation is 54 fee Long and carries a 60-ton Load. Designated the pm experimental Model 523e2, is s a combination trac Tor trailer powered by a monstrous Turbo charged diesel and is used to trans port everything from rocket launchers to the army s massive m60 tank. The 377th s heavy truck company commanded by 1st it. Ralph a. Boat Man jr., has 24 of the huge  is one of four such units in t h e army two of which Are in  other com z s 595th transportation co is also at Turley  under seventh army s u p port come s 181st transportation in the 377th s Mission is to transport cumbersome army equipment to unit throughout Germany which request assistance. Normally these items tanks artillery pieces and heavy vehicles would have to be shipped by rail or air facilities if not for the big trans ports. There Are Only 135 of these vehicle scattered throughout the army Al though efforts were made to convert the tractor trailer for tactical operation it was found to be unsuitable for this use according to battalion spokesmen. Boatman has a Fleet of 24 vehicles manned by 40 Drivers who keep the tractors rolling. This year his Crew Hasco Voyed More than 16,000 tons of their Bulky cargo and in doing so drive shave sometimes spent up to 14 hours on the Road. Their Normal cargo tanks Are no problem to Load. They Are driven onto the trailer Section which is then winched into place on the tractor by Means of a hydraulically operated Ca ble. Blocks Are used to ensure the tank does t shift its position. There is a problem however i finding qualified Drivers to jockey the big diesels. The army s regular driving scan does t teach a Man How to Ilij thing that big so the Mie sized Ite own one of its kind Sculli turn out its own Drivers. A after the potential Driver com Nithe battalion school where he bus thoroughly familiar with big tax must ride Shotgun with8 a Peri ended Driver for 500 Miles before As Ting a shot at the Driver s seat 8 there Are a lot of things which  must be familiar with Boa Man pointed out. Like when Yagot a tank on the trailer it just won t Stop is fast As a Normal truck if Vou put on the brakes in a hurry you Jan Uit forget to because it s go ing to 2keep right on  m he to qty of. Item or /1-" � v a a a . Izbi a. " " i truckers of the 377th transportation co prepare one of their huge tractor trailers to transport an m60 tank to its ultimate destination Carbide steel9 in is photo Stuttgart Germany special Carbide steel a seven Day Vii corps wide com Mand Post exercise will take place july 11 to 17 to test procedures involved in planning establishing operating and jumping command posts under simulated tactical conditions. All participating units will to stage exercise Wiley see Normal Speed meets every need. U6areur fatal accidents since july 1 army motor vehicle non army Mot. Vehicle weapon and explosive asphyxiation drowning .,., other a of july 6 1667 1968 1 7 0 00 0 00 1 0 Tetali jump physically move command posts at least oct during the exercise. Taking part will be Vii corp she Vii corps special troops corps arty 34th Sig in an elements of the 3rd inf div 4th army div 3rd brigade of the24th inf div 2nd army Cav regt 16th aviation in and 540thengr up. Operating under combat like conditions Carbide steel will be used As a training vehicle by commanders and staffs from battalion to corps level a Vii corps spokesman said. Particular emphasis will be placed on the requirements of tactical control during situations which necessitate the movement of uni Headquarters throughout the corps he said. Carmine top a a Jayhawk corps command Post exercise in june was a prelude to Carbide steel and a Drill for participating units in setting up tear ing Down and jumping tactical command posts As woul Dae necessary during actual com Bat the spokesman said. An exercise control group made up of personnel from Vul corps troop units will provide tactical scenario the script for simulated combat conditions containing situations to carry out Carbide steel goals. Vii corps officials will Evalu ate tactical decisions made by unit commanders and staffs an their techniques and plans operations logistics and other vital functions. Gari Nisch s new office g a r m is c a g e a Many special Here s a reminder if you re return ing to the  recreation area for another vacation look for the new location of the billeting of fice. The office has moved tothe shopping Center one Block North of the Buhn Hofland is located where Amer ican express used to  placed signs will show you the Way when Yon arrive. The Telephone numbers remain the Sam for Hole reservations at Garmisch military 2535 587 or 757, bad Stoelz Germany Spe Cial spec. 5 Lee r. Keller of co a Lith air defense signal in topped 105 graduates at the seventh army no Academy to be come the distinguished graduate of the last class of this fiscal year. The Field radio repairman  was presented the commander in chief Usa Eurand seventh army award As Well As the Gen. George s. Patton award for excellence for his out standing academic achieve ments. Tin feb it John l Woodley Hub 5th in an81st arty one of three additional double award winners received his i r Mand us ads from fellow Pathfinder maj. Gen. George l. Mabry jr., commanding general of the 8th inf div and Miest speaker for the  was an Honor graduate and a Winner of the Gen. Doug-f8 Macarthur award for distinguished leadership As was to 5 Andrew g Gajdos co a the maintenance in. In addition to receiving a  award s. Sgt. Frank e. Bothwell Bury a 1st in 94tharty, was designated Winner of the Gen. Bruce a Clarke award for coming out on top in the final inspection conducted bunco Academy commandant it. Col. Linton c.  Honor graduate for the class was s. Sgt. Bobby , cob 2nd in 54th inf., while sgt. Lewis p. Malouf Hhd 8th logistics come in Pisa Italy was the fourth win Ner of the distinguished Leader ship award. Winner of the association of the United states army award for having accumulated the few est demerits during the arduous four week course was spec. 5 Ted e. Curtis co a 82nd in Gran. The latest graduation class brought to number of graduates during fiscal year 1988 to 2,688out of 3,189 who enrolled for the four week  the seventh army no Academy approaches its 19th anniversary it has graduated Over 85,000 individuals from i a and other nato military units throughout Europe