Reporter
The Ripley
Loading the Rails
By Spc . Mahsima Alkamooneh Camp Ripley Public Affairs
January 19 , 2020 ( CAMP RIPLEY , Minn .) — Since 2016 , the Minnesota Army National Guard has completed 12 successful outbound rail movements for different units in the state . In 2021 , however , the state experienced its first winter rail operation out of Camp Ripley , Minn .
“ We have a less than three-percent failure rate ,” said Capt . Corey Hake , a Transportation Officer on Camp Ripley . “ Minnesota is proficient on the back and front end which has made us one of the premier transportation sites in the National Guard .”
The movement included approximately 98 rail cars and 300 vehicles , making this the fourth largest rail movement to leave the installation . This operation included a set of vehicles for training and another set for the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team ’ s deployment .
Vehicles that made up the training set came from all over the country , requiring extensive coordination to either arrive here before the trains left , or at the Mobilization Center when the ABCT arrived .
“ The art is trying to get it put together in a timely fashion ,” said Hake at the time . “ If we do our jobs correctly nobody knows we exist .”
Using the proper safety procedures , it took 5-6 people to load a vehicle onto a railcar . The ABCT ensured service members were trained and equipped for the operation . Although the new weather concerns offered a challenge , the team was committed to safety .
“ The past five years has proven our overall proficiency loading rail cars , but safety of our personnel and equipment are priorities for the commander ,” said Maj . Adam Reichert , 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team Logistics Officer . “ We are working closely with Camp Rip-
By Spc . Mahsima Alkamooneh Camp Ripley Public Affairs
January 5 , 2021 ( Camp Ripley , Minn .) — Since mid-June 2020 , when a new contract with Razor Consulting Solutions started , the Contract Dining Facility ( CDF ) on Camp Ripley has served 147,650 meals to civilian and military personnel .
Bruce Anderson , CDF Manager , says he loves cooking and starting here was a great fit for him .
“ I have always had a passion for cooking ,” said Anderson . “ And a strong attachment to the military after serving in the Navy for four years . “
For a short time , employees and service members of Camp were left wondering where they would be eating after the last contract ended during one of the ley for snow removal as well as the addition of extra personnel and cold weather equipment .”
In October 2020 , the rail line here was upgraded to include a rail siding . A siding is a small stretch of railroad track that can be used to store rolling stock or enable trains to pass through on the same line . The new rail siding will be used for the first time since completion . This will enable Camp Ripley to reduce costs , address issues ( such as deadline vehicles ) quickly , and load faster .
“ We are just the facilitators ; the soldiers and the coordination with the unit are what make it happen ,” said Hake . “ Without command emphasis on the importance of logistics we would not be a success .”
Dining Facility in Action
Minnesota National Guard Soldiers of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division endured the ever changing Minnesota winter weather on Camp Ripley Feb . 25 , 2021 , as they loaded vehicles and equipment for transport out of state . ( Minnesota National Guard Photo by Sgt . Andrew Wensmann )
state ’ s first State Active Duty missions last year .
Anderson was the first employee to be hired by the new company . When he started , they were relying on canned soup until they had enough employees to serve a meal .
“ Then we found a little 4-foot , 11-inch gal named Marie ,” said Anderson . “ The majority of the soups are all produced by her .”
Soon , CDF was serving soups from scratch .
Dining at Camp Ripley looks better than ever because at least three chefs having been formally trained in the Culinary Arts . Most of the rest of the staff also has extensive cooking backgrounds .
One of their goals is to provide high quality meals that soldiers like .
“ We do allow for our chefs or cooks to be a little bit creative with their season-
Tackling another chilly 5 degree Minnesota morning , troops of the Minnesota National Guard loaded rail cars with vehicles and equipment scheduled for deployment overseas . The coordinated activities of rail-loading operations involved several specific actions that required attention to detail , patience and safety . Under winter conditions these actions also require endurance . ( Minnesota National Guard Photo by Sgt . Andrew Wensmann )
This project was a cooperation between Camp Ripley , the Minnesota National Guard Diversity Initiative and the African-American Heritage Council . ( Minnesota National Guard Photo by Sgt . Mahsima Alkamooneh )
ings or other items ,” said Anderson .
But most importantly , CDF staff takes great pride in visiting with the soldiers and civilians that they serve . When Anderson put out a sign-up sheet to work during Christmas , almost every employee put their name down to work either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day .
Anderson says making sure they ( Continued on Page 3 )
INSIDE
The Army wants New Tracked Vehicles that will Run in Deep Snow ............ 2
Minnesota Guide Woman Ready for Deployment ...... 4
Academy of New Challenges .......................... 5
Fixing the Winter !.................... 6
Revisiting Operation RYPE .................................... 7
Readiness of Biathletes ......... 8
Visit Enjoy and Remember DeParcq Woods ................. 9
More than 1,000 Minnesota Guardsmen deployed to the Middle East ................ 10
Navy Divers take on Minnesota Lakes .............. 12
Camp Ripley , Minnesota 2021-2022