Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle techs ensure Security Forces combat patrol mission, safety

Photo By Master Sgt. John Gordinier | Top, the rear-door steps to enter a mine resistant ambush protection vehicle. Bottom, the same door with added metal support, which was fabricated by Airmen assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron tactical mobile maintenance team here. Before the extra support was fabricated, the doors were warping due to the weight of Airmen, along with their gear, climbing into the cab. This is one of several fixes TMMT has engineered. Overall, corrections and fabrications involved have improved the safety and mission of security forces Airmen using the MRAP vehicles.  

BALAD, IRAQ

04.29.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. John Gordinier 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — Security Forces Airmen in the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here constantly go outside the wire to perform missions, and they rely on protection from Mine Resistant Ambush Protection vehicles to get them through the mission and back to Joint Base Balad safely.

"Every morning and afternoon as ground combat patrols get ready to leave here, 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron tactical mobile maintenance team members stand ready like crew chiefs on F-16s ready to roll in and fix whatever will stop the patrols from executing their missions," said Col. John Decknick, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group commander.

"We received MRAPs that were brand-new, but because of some configuration issues, and some parts that had not been operations-tested in combat, we had multiple mechanical and electrical problems," the colonel continued. "Enter ELRS! They devised home-made and innovative [fabrications] for our problems."

"Every problem that comes up, we get on it immediately and start figuring out whether we need to get parts ordered or if we need to find an alternate way to fix it," said Staff Sgt. Mike Ferguson, 332nd ELRS tactical mobile maintenance technician.

Since parts for MRAP vehicles can take several months to arrive here, the TMMT fabricates parts to get the vehicle restored and back to the Security Forces Airmen in a timely manner.

"We have designed better alternatives and have fixed the vehicles," said Sergeant Ferguson. "Now, we are having the parts made in bulk so we can fix and retrofit all of the trucks before damage occurs."

For example, one of the recent MRAP issues the team tackled was a faulty solenoid, which threatens Airmen's safety and could destroy the entire vehicle.

A solenoid that helps supply electricity throughout the vehicle caught fire in some of the MRAP vehicles; there are approximately 90 reported cases like this one, Sergeant Ferguson said, who is deployed here from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., and is a native of Covington, Ind.

"We tore apart the solenoids and found condensation and other problems that led to the fire, which caused thousands of dollars in damage," he said. "Tech. Sgt. Nathan Neilsen, 332nd ELRS force-protection maintenance NCO-in-charge, researched alternative solenoids on-line and found a better one. We ordered a few and put them on the vehicle. We haven't had the same problems with them since."

Something else the team trumped was a rear-door closure issue.

The Airmen using the vehicles were running up and down the ramps in the rear of the vehicle, said Neilsen, who is deployed here from Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, and is from Tomahawk, Wis. The end result was a warped door that eventually wouldn't close, which could be disastrous outside the wire.

"We came up with the idea of making legs to support the door to prevent warping," Ferguson said. "Staff Sgt. Joshua Wheeler [332nd ELRS vehicle-maintenance craftsman] made the legs for us, and then we took it to ITT [International Telephone and Telegraph Allied Trades] to mass produce them for other MRAPs in the field."

"Before we identify an issue as 'fleet-wide,' we have to let a few repairs come and go as normal; once we identify a trend, that's when we put on our thinking caps and work the problem," Neilsen said.

"All the problems we have identified have been sent through our chain of command and sent through engineers, MRAP, and the Joint Program Office for implementation in the new revisions at the assembly line," he continued.

Overall, all the modifications the team has made to the vehicles have been "problem-solvers," Neilsen said, and, upon clearing the discrepancy, have not had the repaired vehicles come back into the shop for duplicate repairs.

"I have a very talented team, and am lucky we are all on the same sheet of music to get these vehicles fully serviceable," Neilsen added. "We have oftentimes stepped way outside of our Air Force specialty code to better identify and understand the issues."

Part of an initiative to expedite maintenance for tactical vehicles, the 332nd ELRS is the first squadron in the AOR (U.S. Central Command area of responsibility) to start up a TMMT.

"We started a mobile team that would go to the vehicle's location, quickly correct the problem, and keep the mission going," said Lt. Col. David Sanford, 332nd ELRS commander. "In its two months, the TMMT has significantly enhanced our ability to serve front-line customers like the ESFG."

"As security forces, we cannot accomplish our mission without vehicles and communications," Decknick said. "MRAPs are better protection off-base, and we need them in this environment.

"ELRS is doing all they can to bring our MRAPs up to speed, and putting brain power, muscle and innovation into every solution," the colonel added. "ELRS makes sure we can do our job. They are truly part of our team, and we feel privileged to be working with these pros."

• Date Taken: 04.29.2009
• Date Posted: 04.29.2009 10:15
• Story ID: 33001
• Location: BALAD, IQ