Railhead Operations Drive Strategic Mobility for Exercise in Alaska

Large-scale arctic exercises far into the Alaska tundra require support just as sophisticated and robust as the operations themselves. It takes a coordinated network of planners, inspectors and transportation specialists working behind the scenes to move equipment safely and efficiently.

In support of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 26-02 exercise at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, logistics professionals assigned to the 773rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 486th Movement Control Team, 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 11th Airborne Division, transported critical equipment for several Army units across Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. 

“The entire operation is a coordinated effort between the deploying units, the division transportation office, the movement control center, the installation transportation office, and Alaska Railroad representatives,” said William Lower, installation mobilization officer for the squadron. “It’s a continuous flow from planning through final execution.”

The logistics workflow starts long before equipment enters the rail yard. Personnel working with unit movement officers identify all gear to be shipped, then work with the movement control center and other transportation offices to book the necessary railcars. Training for the loading teams ensures personnel are prepared and proficient when operations begin. 

“By working in tandem with the [movement control center], our team ensures every piece of equipment is not only properly inspected but also loaded onto railcars precisely, according to the approved load plan,” said Army Capt. Benjamin Mohn, 486th Movement Control Team commander. “This meticulous oversight is essential for maximizing the use of available space and ensuring equipment meets the Alaska Rail standards, guaranteeing that the train can transport the maximum amount of equipment possible in a single movement.” 

A vital phase of the process is the transportation integrity and preparation for shipment inspection. At the designated marshaling area, each vehicle and piece of cargo undergoes a detailed examination for transportability, mechanical soundness, proper documentation and safety compliance before being cleared for movement.

“Every piece of equipment receives a thorough TIPS inspection to ensure it’s mechanically sound, properly secured and documented for movement,” Lower said. “That step is essential to moving equipment safely and efficiently.” 

Central to that effort was the railhead operation, a core logistics process that inspects, documents and loads military vehicles and cargo onto commercial railcars for movement up to the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center. Railhead operations serve as a key node in the broader logistics network, ensuring that vital equipment arrives intact and on schedule. 

By housing both the movement control center and the installation transportation office within the 773rd LRS, the squadron ensures seamless integration of planning and execution, from initial coordination to cargo departure. This integration enabled the 257 TIPS inspections of the 65 railcars carrying vital equipment in support of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center.

“The [movement control center] and [installation transportation office] are integral parts of the 773rd LRS,” Lower said. “By bringing those capabilities together, we’re able to synchronize the entire process and guarantee assets are deployed safely, securely and on schedule.” 

Railhead and movement control operations often go unseen by soldiers whose gear is already en route or in place. Still, these logistics professionals provide the backbone that enables units to meet training and operational objectives. 

“The strong, trusted partnership between the [movement control team], the [movement control center] and all participating units is the bedrock of our success,” Mohn said. “This shared understanding allows our team to remain agile and effectively solve the inevitable challenges and friction that arise during complex operations, ensuring the mission is always accomplished.”