NATO Allies Flex U.S. and Spanish Recovery Capabilities

Photo By Spc. Rachel Hall | U.S. Army soldiers with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, and the Spanish Armed Forces attach the Spanish Leopard 2ER Buffalo tracked recovery vehicle lift system to the replacement engine of the U.S. M88A2 Hercules Armored Recovery Vehicle at Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 14, 2025. The M88's primary field role is to repair and replace damaged parts in fighting vehicles while under fire and extricate vehicles that have become disabled or entangled. V Corps and NATO Allies deter adversaries by demonstrating a combat-credible force through multinational training and exercises. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rachel Hall)  

LATVIA

04.14.2025

Story by Spc. Rachel Hall 

70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

NATO Allies Flex U.S. and Spanish Recovery Capabilities

CAMP ADAZI, Latvia – U.S. Army soldiers with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, and the Spanish Armed Forces worked together to replace the engine on a U.S. M88 Hercules Armored Recovery Vehicle on April 14, 2025.

The Spanish National Support Element Maintenance Platoon sent soldiers and a Leopard 2ER Buffalo tracked recovery vehicle and a crane to assist in replacing an engine of an M88A2. The Spanish Leopard 2ER Buffalo significantly enhances the mobility and endurance of mechanized units, directly contributing to their overall combat effectiveness. Its mission set includes recovering disabled vehicles, supporting water crossings, and evacuating equipment from the battlefield. It also plays a vital role in maintenance operations by delivering essential spare parts and tools.

“It is important to work with NATO allies so we can build a cohesive team, communicate with each other [and] build relationships,” said U.S. Army Cpl. Juan Carlos, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment.
Carlos went on to say that mutual support between partners is essential—when one force is in need, the other is often equipped to assist. This reciprocal readiness strengthens the overall reliability and effectiveness of the alliance.

The U.S. M88's primary field role is to repair and replace damaged parts in fighting vehicles while under fire and extricate vehicles that have become disabled or entangled. The M88 series has seen action in the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan and continues to serve V Corps, the U.S. Army’s only forward-deployed corps.

“The significance of us working with NATO is that it provides an extreme advantage,” said Sgt. 1st Class Donovan Ogo, a crew chief with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment.
Ogo stated that strengthening the bridge between partner forces contributes to greater consistency, enhances combined combat capability, and reinforces a unified approach to shared objectives.

V Corps and NATO Allies deter adversaries by demonstrating a combat credible force through multinational training and exercises.

• Date Taken: 04.14.2025
• Date Posted: 04.17.2025 11:42
• Story ID: 495488
• Location: LV