FOB Danger Mechanics maximize their potential as professional Soldiers

Courtesy Photo | Sergeant Keith C. Moore, shop foreman, and Sgt. Neville R. Link, team leader, 50th Maintenance Support Team, work with their troop, Spc. Demetrius M. Saxton, as they trouble shoot a malfunction on a Humvee in their motor pool on Forward Operating Base Danger, Tikrit, Iraq.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

08.30.2005

Courtesy Story

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Story and photos by
Staff Sgt. Duane M. Brown
22nd MPAD

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, Iraq -- Mechanics at Forward Operating Base Danger know they have one unit looking out for them, keeping them off the road and relieving them from performing vehicle evacuation missions.

The 50th Maintenance Support Team, 50th Main Support Battalion, provides direct support maintenance to the Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 42nd Infantry Division, motor pool replacing engines, transmissions and all repairs that are above organizational-level maintenance.

"If they weren't here, there would be a lot of deadlined vehicles, with the only chance of repair at FOB Speicher," said Sgt. 1st Class Edgar A. Ponce, motor sergeant, HHC motor pool. "But with them here, if there is a problem we are unable to resolve, we submit a work order to them."

To evacuate vehicles to Speicher requires Ponce to task out 50 percent of his work force to complete the mission.

"The job they do is great," Ponce said. "With some of their mechanics being technicians for the military in the U.S., the 50th doesn't just go in and change out parts, they trouble shoot what's wrong and work from there."

While completing the Army's missions, MST noncommissioned officers take advantage of opportunity training for professional development training.

"We don't just train our Soldiers to replace parts. We want them to understand why things are broken so they can trouble shoot a problem and fix it," said Sgt. Neville R. Link, team leader, 50th MST. "Anyone can go in and change parts, my six-year-old grandson can change out car parts. I want my guys to maximize their potential as professional Soldiers."

All jobs that come through the 50th MST shop begin with organizational-level checks.
"Checks aren't finished until 50th MST standards are met," Link said. "By starting at ground level, we are able to identify the nature of the problem, instead of replacing parts."

This approach to maintenance, troubleshooting problems and replacing defective parts saves the government and taxpayers money.

"My guys are becoming technical inspectors," said Sgt. Keith C. Moore, shop supervisor, 50th MST. "We have specialists taking the lead on many of the projects that come through our garage."

The training provided by Link and Moore has boosted the competence and confidence level of troops that work for them.

"Working here has been a rich experience from me, especially since I just came out of (advanced individual training) this year," said Spc. Jonathan Gonzalez, mechanic with the 50th MST. "Now when I get back to the U.S. and settle into my unit, I am confident that I can perform any duty or job that needs to be done."

The 50th MST has completed more than 230 jobs during it's time on FOB Danger while in a tent, with no air-conditioning and temperatures as high as 130 degrees.

"Our mechanics are doing an outstanding job. The thing that sticks out most in my mind is that when we are out here together, doing our thing, the heat isn't even a factor; because that is the way we roll. Mission first," Moore said.

• Date Taken: 08.30.2005
• Date Posted: 08.30.2005 15:01
• Story ID: 2865
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ