407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

Story by Airman 1st Class Tony Ritter

ALI BASE, Iraq -- If it moves on wheels, runs on gasoline and uses an engine, the 407th vehicle maintenance crew on Ali Base, Iraq, is most likely responsible for it from bumper to bumper.

The vehicle maintenance team, a part of the 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, deals with and is responsible for over 400 registered, unregistered, and leased vehicles and equipment of the base's Air Force vehicle fleet.

"Big picture...We fix broken trucks," said Master Sgt. Darryll Daum, Vehicle Management Superintendent with the 407th ELRS. "Without us everyone would be a pedestrian. We are the backbone of the mission here at Ali Base."

The vehicle maintenance flight is comprised of six sections: vehicle management, vehicle management and analysis, materiel control, customer service, the main shop and the fire truck and refueling maintenance shop. Each section is tailored specifically to meet the needs of the different vehicles that support the 407th Air Expeditionary Group's mission.

They maintain a variety of vehicles, including fire trucks, aircraft re-fuelers, forklifts, cargo loaders and other general and special purpose vehicles - whether the vehicles need a light bulb replaced or an engine overhaul. Vehicles are broken down by different codes which make up the vehicles authorization listing when it comes time for maintenance.

"[Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles], cargo loaders, fire trucks, re-fuelers, material handling equipment and humvee's are our most critical assets," said Daum who is deployed from McChord Air Force Base, Wash. "We try our best to keep these up and running, but every squadron has a minimum essential level, of how many vehicles they will need on a daily basis to ensure they can perform their part in the war on terrorism. When a squadron falls below their MEL, their vehicle becomes mission critical if it is not already one of the mission critical assets."

Being able to manage the work load in a deployed location is critical but maneuvering around obstacle's that aren't commonly found at home station is what aids in a successful mission.

"Not having local part vendors and recourses at our fingertips is the most difficult part of being in a deployed location," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Lowe, NCOIC of the Vehicle Maintenance Workshop, who is deployed from McGuire AFB, N.J. "We only keep parts on hand that have shown a trend to breaking."

According to Tech Sgt. William Dionne, NCOIC of the Vehicle Maintenance FARM, not having the parts readily available may slow things down a little but having skilled mechanics that work for him is the most important thing to running a smooth operation.

"Here at Ali Base, we have the most highly trained vehicle technicians in the area of responsibility, so it allows the workload to be very manageable," said Daum, a Greenfield Center, N.Y., native.

Having an "A" team of mechanics not only ensures that service members will be able to roll around wherever they go but that everything on base gets where it needs to go in a
timely and efficient manner.

"We supply the customer with a means to complete their mission," said Lowe who hails from Hallstead, Penn. "Without Vehicle Maintenance, nothing would happen from unloading planes and base defense to food runs at the Hero's Chow Hall."

Although vehicle maintenance may be overlooked on a day-to-day basis, the mission here would be greatly affected without having the backbone of the vehicle fleet.

"The mission here would be greatly hindered without the added benefit of the diesel or gasoline powered 'wheeled machines'," said Daum. "Just imagine trying to load a C-17 or C-130 aircraft without the added benefit of an all-terrain forklift or a cargo loader."

All-in-all, we ensure our sister squadrons are able to provide air operation support for coalition air dominance, battle space control and security to advance in the stabilization of southern Iraq, said Daum. We do this by using economical, reliable and up-to-date procedures to authorize, acquire, account for, and maintain vehicles in a safe and serviceable condition throughout their lifecycle, he added.

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