Military Convoy - FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - All the signs are here - bright sun, melting snow, nearby kitchens and military trains on the road to the southern training area. It's officially spring in Alaska.
While training is year-round for troops, vehicles and convoys are more common on Alaska's roads during the warmer weather months.
Military Convoy
"You don't see a lot of vehicles on the road in the winter because that's when we can't drive our vehicles on the road," said CW2 John Mulrooney, the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade's mobility officer. "It's not safe to do that and we will compromise safety at all costs. We adjust our ranges so that we are not running them in the winter."
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The increase in the number of military vehicles on Alaska's Fort Wainwright roadways is second nature this year, but soldiers and civilians who work to keep the convoys safe say there are safety precautions all drivers should keep in mind when encountering them on the road.
"When passing a convoy, make sure you're in the legal passing lane and make sure you have enough room to get between the vehicles," said Larry Wolterman, director of transportation services. "They are far enough apart that you can pass one and maybe two at a time."
Wildlife, narrow roads and other drivers make travel unsafe, said Sgt. 1st Class April Letourneau, mobility lieutenant, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
He said a convoy, a line of more than five vehicles, is often necessary to cross the road as their speed limit is 45mph.
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"People need to understand that on the highway we go 45 mph because we have big armored cars and the armor plating is very heavy so if we go slow it makes it easier for us to stop in a hurry. We are basically the same weight as a tractor trailer . , bulkier," he explained.
The last vehicle in a convoy will have signs indicating that a convoy is ahead, and any larger vehicles such as the Stryker will have signs indicating that they are too large. In addition to not exceeding 45 mph, or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower, vehicles in the convoy will stay 50 yards apart, Letourneau said.
From slow speed limits to required signage, fleet managers and mobility officers work diligently to follow all safety guidelines.
"Our responsibility is to make sure (the train) is following Alaska Department of Transportation regulations to make sure they are legal and to make sure the vehicles are safe and able to get on Alaska's roads," Wolterman said.
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He and his staff work about five to 10 convoys a week this time of year and work closely with the unit's commanders to ensure safety is the number one priority.
"Train conductors instruct their trains very well. They know what to do in the event of an accident or breakdown," he said.
Drivers complete 40 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of driving training to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to operate a military vehicle. In addition, more experienced, trained riders ride with newer riders, Letourneau said.
"Our young leaders are making it all happen. These guys make sure it's not just the oil, not just the tires, not just the windshield, but the drivers are trained; they go through all the way to the right gate to let them drive " Mulrooney said. "So that's where the real rubber meets the road, so to speak, when it comes to putting the convoys together."
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Driving to Fort Wainwright, Letourneau said convoys don't use roads through residential areas or school zones and only use main roads, businesses and pool areas.
"Our drivers are trained and we are professionals. What we are doing here prepares us for future recordings," he said. "We appreciate the public's support." Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Share on Flipboard Share by Email Comment
A driver was struck when a lorry passed an 18-wheeler convoy driven by a helicopter as they exited a highway.
A video of the incident went viral after being uploaded to TikTok and later shared on Reddit, showing a prominent military presence on I-15.
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AJM shared a clip on their TikTok account, @ajmcwr, captioning the video: "Pick what this strain is! Any thoughts?"
The video shows a convoy of police and military vehicles, some with signs reading "Convoy Ahead," followed by an 18-wheeler truck with an "explosives" symbol on the back.
"Does anyone know what's inside that 18 wheeler that needs so much protection?" AJM asked, adding, "Notice it says explosives."
In a follow-up video, AJM managed to capture the glimpse of a helicopter following the convoy, adding: "It wasn't a good video 3 though."
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The original video, shared on Monday, has amassed 4 million views and can be seen here, while the sequel has been viewed more than 500,000 times.
According to road signs in the video, the convoy was traveling along I-15 in Montana. It is not clear if the driver or a passenger was taking the photo.
Due to the location and security surrounding the truck, it was believed to have come from a nearby military base.
A spokesman said: “We normally run Convoy several times a month for routine maintenance on the Minuteman III.
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"The 18-wheeler is a cargo transport vehicle and is designed to carry components for the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)."
Some Redditors speculated that the convoy was weapons-related, as Chad Tillus theorized: "Carrying nukes. But since you were allowed to pass, you probably went back empty (or empty to pick one up)."
YoursTrulyTrashPanda said: "This is crazy. This truck has or will have weapons of mass destruction."
Bryant Francis said: "With anything to do with nuclear weapons, it's rare to move missiles into silos during the day, there are so many silos.
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SrAmn_Snuffy wrote: "Probably a nuke. Most anything else will fly, or you'll see what's in the trailer (like a tank)."
The Reddit post, which was shared on the site's interesting as F*** forum on Wednesday, has been upvoted more than 13,000 times.
At Malmstrom, the 341st Missile Wing "currently operates, maintains and secures Minuteman III missiles, providing strategic defense to the nation as the wing has done continuously since 1962 – America's 'Ace in the Hole,'" according to their website.
Explaining their payments, the Air Force website states: “The current ICBM force consists of 400 Minuteman III missiles stationed at the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; and the 91st missile. Wing at Minot Wing at AFB, N.D."
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The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) expanded on the US defense system and explained: "The Minuteman III is the only land-based part of the US nuclear triad."
The other two components of the triad - the land, sea and air deterrents - are submarine-launched ballistic missiles and nuclear bombers, including numerous B-52H Stratofortress' and B-2A Spirits.
CSIS explained: "With the removal of the LGM-118 peacekeeping missile in 2005, the Minuteman III became the only US land-based ICBM in service. The US is expected to rely on it by 2030."
After that time, the Minuteman III will be replaced by ground-based tactical deterrents, they added.
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A Bearcat vehicle leads a maintenance train on Global Thunder 20 on Oct. 23, 2019, near Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. A video showing a similar convoy has gone viral on social media. Chief Pilot Tristan Truesdale
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