742nd SMC builds Humvees and friendships

Photo By 1st Lt. Tracci Dorgan | The 742nd Support Maintenance Company (SMC), South Carolina Army National Guard attends the closing day ceremony held by the Colombian army maintenance personnel, Sept. 27, 2013 at the Baman Maintenance Base, Baman, Colombia. The 742nd SMC just finished a three week mission working with the Colombian maintenance personnel to share experience and techniques, in support of the state partnership program between the South Carolina National Guard and the Colombian military that started in July 2012. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by OC Tracci Dorgan/ Released)  

BAMAN, COLOMBIA

09.27.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Tracci Dorgan 

South Carolina National Guard

BAMAN, COLOMBIA— The 742nd Support Maintenance Company (SMC), South Carolina Army National Guard, completes their mission with the Colombian army maintenance personnel at the Baman Maintenance Base in Baman, Republic of Colombia, Sept. 27.

The South Carolina National Guard has been partnered with the Colombian military in support of the state partnership program since July 2012. The mission of the 742nd SMC was to share their experiences, tips and ideas with the Colombian maintenance personnel.

“It has been a great working experience,” said Capt. Justin Montgomery, commander of the 742nd SMC. “Our soldiers have done more than just work on Humvees, night vision goggles and weapons, we have formed friendships that we will never forget.”

“I selected my soldiers that had skills and experience that I knew would benefit the mission,” said Montgomery. “Several of them are full-time Guardsmen, but I chose a few traditional Guardsmen who have great civilian skills that would be needed.”
“I have taken more than one thousand pictures since we got here,” said Spc. David Massingale, 742nd SMC mechanic and unit photographer. “It is important to capture the memories of all we have done here. We are working together, but we are also spending some of our free time together; sharing stories, food, and fun.”

The 742nd SMC has been working side-by-side with the Colombian maintenance personnel since Sept. 4. They helped disassemble, clean, refurbish and reassemble several Humvees, weapons and night vision goggles during their three-week mission.

“While working closely with the Colombians, I found out that we are all very similar as soldiers,” said Sgt. Wes Warren, 742nd SMC generator mechanic and an experienced Spanish speaker. “We share the same concerns about family and religion, they have a great love for their country just as we do.”
“This has been a great opportunity to exchange our cultural experiences,” said Capt. Juvenal Molano Baron, official chief of production and Maintenance for the Colombian army at Baman. “The 742nd SMC has shown great support in the growth of the Colombian operation. The discipline and organization of the 742nd production lines is something we will strive for. We are two armies working together towards one goal.”

“Working with the United States and learning to develop doctrines like the United States is the first small step of a greater mission; to improve the whole Colombian army,” said Col. Robinson A. Ramirez. “This initial mission was to train and certify individuals, our next step is to certify the facilities.”
“We have enjoyed the opportunity to help our fellow Americans,” add Montgomery.

“We have completed this mission, leaving the Colombians with an increased level of military capabilities,” said Montgomery. “We helped increase their productivity by showing them how to be more proficient, which will enable them to keep equipment mission capable and improve their military readiness.”

• Date Taken: 09.27.2013
• Date Posted: 09.29.2013 12:30
• Story ID: 114441
• Location: BAMAN, CO