YAVORIV, Ukraine – A team consisting of Armament and Communications and Electronics (C&E) specialists from the 317th Support Maintenance Company (SMC) “Wolfpack” of Baumholder, Germany continues to provide maintenance support to units operating in austere environments. Its reputation for reliability and professionalism led the 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, and 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) of the Oklahoma National Guard to reach out to the 317th SMC for specialized equipment maintenance support.
The 179th Inf. is part of the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U); a U.S. led coalition responsible for training and advising Ukrainian security forces that oversee defensive and security preparation for up to five battalions of the Ministry of Defense forces annually.
With limited time in between training rotations, speed and precision were important factors, and the ‘Wolfpack’ rose to the challenge. The ‘Wolfpack’ provided the 179th Inf. with maintenance and services on weapon systems and equipment parts.
The Wolfpack team arrived at the Lviv airport and was immediately greeted by the supported unit. After enjoying an infamous “storm burger” at a local eatery, the team was given a tour of the facilities at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center (IPSC) in Yavoriv.
The team was tasked with providing field level maintenance and services on 340 pieces of equipment consisting of small arms, mortars, and night vision devices. Through command authorized substitutions and the expertise of the team members, the unit’s readiness soared to 99.8 percent on the systems that were inspected.
“We are extremely satisfied with the efficiency and productivity of the inspection team,” said Capt. Archie Burch, commander of the company F, 1-279 Inf., during a mission debrief to the JMTG-U Chief of Staff and 7th Army Training Command (ATC) staff. “Their expertise has enabled us to successfully continue training our Ukrainian partners.”
The mission to the JMTG-U was mutually beneficial to both the 179th Inf. and 317th SMC. Members of the ‘Wolfpack’ team were afforded the opportunity to hone their skills on systems they did not frequently service. The training on the 60mm and 81mm mortar systems was invaluable in helping build a solid base of knowledge for the junior leaders.
“I am excited to get the chance to learn about the mortars,” said Pfc. Cody Fisher, a small arms and artillery repairer of 317th SMC. “This is something that I do not get to work on at my home station.”
As fortunate as the opportunity to learn about mortars was, the peak of enthusiasm came with the chance for the team to see the variety of weapons used by their Ukrainian partners. The ‘Wolfpack’ team was introduced to modernized versions of the Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947 (AK-47), the Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy (AKM), the Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova (RPK); a light squad automatic weapon comparable to the U.S M249, and the Pulemyot Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy (PKM); a general-purpose machine gun comparable to the U.S M240L.
Working closely together, having break-time conversations with members of the Ukrainian security forces, and simple gestures, such as providing pizza and soda to the conscripted gate guards, undoubtedly had a profound and lasting effect that worked to strengthen the bond between nations.
The completion of the 317th SMC’s support mission to JMTG-U was instrumental in assisting both the Oklahoma National Guard unit and Ukrainian security force partners, and worked to further enhance the relationships with the two. The 317th SMC support team played an integral part in providing theater logistical support that continues to display that members of the 16th Sustainment Brigade live up to their motto, “Deeds, Not Words.”
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2017 06:19 |
| Story ID: | 244766 |
| Location: | YAVORIV, UA |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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