Overcoming a Shortcoming

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Juan Gonzalez of Zapata, Texas, removes an upper bearing from a spindle as part of this trailer's five-year service conducted in the course of the 377th Heavy Equipment Transporter Company's combat tour in Iraq. The 377th has recently completed a 15-month tour assigned to the 165th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade.  

TAJI, IRAQ

11.15.2008

Courtesy Story

1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade

By Warrant Officer James Nelson
377th Heavy Equipment Transporter Co., 165th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade

CAMP TAJI – Mechanics assigned to the 377th HET Company, 165th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion out of Fort Bliss, Texas, work around the clock keeping the company's fleet of heavy equipment transporters well maintained and ready for every mission. The primary vehicles used by the 377th are the M1070 Tractors and the M1000 Semi-Trailers, which require extensive maintenance on a daily basis.

It was recently discovered that the 67 M1000 Semi-Trailers assigned to the company did not have a specific inspection, commonly known by the Army as a five-year service, which was due while 377th was in Iraq. This comprehensive maintenance entails periodic lubrication, cleaning, and servicing of the M1000 semi-trailer steering plates, which consisted of four per trailer, and suspension assemblies, which consisted of 10 per trailer.

The required service was coordinated and organized by the company's maintenance technician Warrant Officer James Nelson, and the company's maintenance supervisor Master Sgt. Duane Edwards.

Nelson coordinated with logistics supply representatives to ensure the mandatory repair parts, estimated at $3,800 per trailer, were available when the services were started. Together, Nelson and Edwards coordinated the special training that their mechanics needed to complete the five-year service.

The Soldier tasked with physically overseeing the services was Staff Sgt. Onekie Quinn from Snellville, Ga. For several weeks, Quinn oversaw the daily maintenance operations of the five-year service to ensure it was completed in a timely manner and to standard.

The turnaround time for every trailer was estimated at 88 man hours. Eleven mechanics of the 377th were able to whittle this long turn-around time down to six days per trailer, eventually completing the overall task one and a half months ahead of schedule.

• Date Taken: 11.15.2008
• Date Posted: 11.15.2008 14:52
• Story ID: 26381
• Location: TAJI, IQ