Photo By Sgt. Asher Atkinson | U.S. Army Col. Daniel Meyers, Commander of the 510th Regional Support Group,...... read more read more
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PABRADĖ, Lithuania – U.S. Army Soldiers aspired to new heights while conducting a Crane Utilization and Certification Course held with Lithuanian Armed Forces, Feb. 10, 2026, on General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area, Pabradė, Lithuania.
A combined total of 12 Soldiers from Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division and Forward Support Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, partnered with the Lithuanian Armed Forces to conduct the crane certification.
This certification allows U.S. Soldiers to fully utilize maintenance capabilities at Pabradė to its fullest extent by enabling them to conduct tank maintenance more safely and efficiently with assistance from their Lithuanian partners. Not only did the Soldiers improve their efficiency and safety, they also increased their lethality by improving their overall readiness with crane maintenance.
U.S. Army Col. Daniel Myers, the 510th Regional Support Group Commander, discussed how maintenance boosts lethality.
“Now that we have this increased maintenance capability, we’re that much more lethal,” said Myers.
Before completing the course, U.S. Soldiers relied on the M88 Armored Recovery Vehicle to remove tank components inside a confined maintenance tent. This significantly increased the time required to perform even simple maintenance tasks.
Staff Sgt. Frank Elias, a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to Fox Forward Support Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, discussed the importance of conducting the certification.
“What makes this training significant is us working with our counterparts, not only gaining proper training on using the equipment here locally, but additionally being able to train our Soldiers on proper use of the borrowed equipment,” said Elias.
The certification process also emphasized safety in order to create a secure environment for Soldiers working with the equipment.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Cotto, a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, discussed the importance this training provides for maintaining safety measures.
“The biggest take away was safety and just learning the dos and don’ts to make sure all of our Soldiers are safe while operating,” said Cotto.
U.S. Army Soldiers and the Lithuanian Armed Forces concluded the crane utilization and certification course which ensured Soldiers were able to conduct tank maintenance while increasing their efficiency, safety and overall readiness across Europe’s Eastern Flank.
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.18.2026 06:07 |
| Story ID: | 557950 |
| Location: | PABRADE, LT |
| Web Views: | 11 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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