Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Cody Crowell (left), a mechanic with Company E, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor...... read more read more
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Story by: Sgt. 1st Class Jason Hager
BAGHDAD — Two months into their deployment, the mechanics with Company E, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center have settled smoothly into their mission—which for them runs 24 hours per day.
Staff Sgt. Jeromy Holiday, motor sergeant with Company E, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB and a Jasper, Ala., native, who is on his third deployment to the region, said his role is to help provide motivation and leadership.
“Maintenance runs on knowledge,” Holiday said.
Most of the junior enlisted soldiers are on their first deployment, and noncommissioned officers make instructing these new soldiers on the specifications and maintenance procedures for Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles an immediate priority.
The mission of 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB, although advisory in nature, requires patrols to go outside the wire often. It all starts with quality preventive maintenance checks and services inspections. Operators are trained to know their vehicles well and record each deficiency.
After finishing a PMCS, the operator then moves the vehicle to the maintenance bay to have the mechanics fix any faults that are identified. NCO's work alongside their soldiers, supervising and instructing them on proper maintenance techniques. They also document the vehicle’s historical maintenance data for future reference or repairs.
Spc. Kristena Williams, production load list section leader with Company E, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB and a Trenton, N.J., native, a veteran of the unit’s last deployment, supervises four soldiers whose responsibility is to retrieve parts from the warehouse and order what is missing, aiming to minimize downtime for vehicles.
“This year we have worked harder than ever before, but it has been rewarding nonetheless,” Williams said. “It has enabled the new clerks to learn the system quickly, and we are doing the job effectively.”
After leaving the maintenance bay, the vehicles are directed to the quality assurance, quality checks area. Here, Staff Sgt. Thomas Palmieri, QAQC section sergeant with Company E, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., 2nd AAB and a Batesville, Ark., native, and his team check each vehicle before and after missions, using a 72-point inspection sheet.
Once the vehicle passes inspection, the operator’s commander can authorize it to go back on the road to support Operation New Dawn.
| Date Taken: | 01.26.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.26.2011 06:50 |
| Story ID: | 64231 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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