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[horn blaring] [Townsel] The Heavy Equipment Transport System,
or HETS, can move a 67-ton Abrams tank with ease.
Learning how to parallel park, however, takes a little work.
Today the soldiers of the 377th Transportation Company at Fort Bliss
train drivers of other units to operate and maintain the HETS
as part of a 2-week field exercise. Trainees from the 1st Armored Division found
the biggest challenge of this vehicle is not the massive weight but the 48 wheels
that operate with variable steering to negotiate civilian roadways.
[male speaker] They all turn independently, which makes it really maneuverable around
turns. At the same time, it makes backing up a pain
because you have to think about how you're backing up
and you have to turn opposite when you're backing up.
[Townsel] The training includes everything from maintenance to tactical operations,
which are conducted during the field exercise. Once they test out, then we're going to
go ahead and get to the extensive, which will be the actual convoy operation.
[Townsel] Because of the extraordinary weight of this transport,
trainers emphasize safety and control during the familiarization.
This truck right here, when it hits something, it's collateral damage.
It's no little bump; it's a major bump. [Townsel] In fact, every part of this vehicle
is supersized to accommodate the demands of the Army.
It's a lot bigger than the 914, which is the civilian version of the semi,
and again, it's more maneuverable because of the rear steer.
[Townsel] Whether parallel parking or transporting tanks,
the soldiers of the 377th Transportation Company continue their movement mission wherever they
go. Reporting from McGregor Range, New Mexico,
Specialist Dillon Townsel, 16th MPAD. [♪upbeat music♪] That's the Army Today,
Washington.