Idaho Army National Guard Sgts. Bryce Branham (left) and Joshua Bryant, surface maintenance mechanics, are working on a valve adjustment for a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Branham has been at MATES for a few years. He commutes from Caldwell, Idaho which is approximately 50 miles from MATES. The drive takes him anywhere from 45 minues to over an hour depending on traffic. Sgt. Bryant is one of the newest members of MATES and learning his skills through on the job training.
At the heart of the Orchard Combat Training Center, the Idaho Army National Guard's Maneuver Area Training and Equipment Site (MATES) is the 116th CBCT's premier and largest maintenance shop. MATES is charged with the sustainment of combat power across 3 separate states, in support of their missions both domestic and abroad.
MATES is built around 5 Field Maintenance Teams (FMTs), 1 Field Maintenance Support Team (FMST), 1 Materiel and Readiness Team, and a BII Warehouse in order to provide maintenance support to units from Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada.
MATES soldiers within the FMTs are subject matter experts on the M1A2/A1 Abrams, the M2A3 Bradley, the M88A2 Hercules, the M113/M1068 family of vehicles (FOVs), and variety of other equipment. MATES mechanics have been asked to travel across the country to ensure the highest possible quality of work is performed.
The FMTs rely heavily on the knowledge and skills within the various supporting teams. The FMST are proactive in repairing equipment at the lowest possible expense while recognized nationally for creative solutions to common maintenance or repair problems. The MATES teams can troubleshoot electronic components down to the microchip level, repair .50 caliber machine guns, or fabricate a part when needed.
According to MATES Superintendent Cpt. Mark Ross, “ Despite a global pandemic, numerous state emergencies, and an ever increasing operational tempo, MATES personnel continue to drive the mission forward, hunt for creative solutions, and
Date Taken: | 03.05.2021 |
Date Posted: | 09.27.2021 09:54 |
Photo ID: | 6858155 |
VIRIN: | 210927-Z-XK920-0015 |
Resolution: | 2700x1800 |
Size: | 3.15 MB |
Location: | BOISE, IDAHO, US |
Web Views: | 63 |
Downloads: | 7 |
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