FORT LEE - Damarys Mercado sets her sights on warfighter support as she targets several key assemblies crucial to the M119 howitzer, a lightweight artillery weapon that provides direct support fires to light, airborne and air assault forces.
Mercado is a Defense Contract Management Agency Central Regional Command quality assurance specialist for the M187A1 telescope mount, the M137A2 panoramic telescope and the M2A2 aiming circle assemblies contracts.
Mercado’s oversight on the assemblies includes assuring contractual requirements are met and conducting mandatory inspections as required by letter of delegations or quality assurance letter of instruction.
“I conduct investigative reviews on product quality deficiency reports received and support customer concerns,” Mercado said.
The assemblies affect the howitzer’s operation and functionality so Mercado’s aim has to be on target. A versatile weapon, the M119 can be towed by a Humvee, dropped by parachute, and airlifted by UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters or C-130 Hercules aircraft.
When quality issues come up, it’s a teaming effort with the contractor and customer in most cases, Mercado indicated. “I interface with the contractor via inspection visits, meetings, e-mails and phone calls. I support the customer visits whenever possible, and I also communicate with them via e-mails or phone calls.”
The targets Mercado zeros in on each day keeps “support to the warfighter” in her sights.