Courtesy Photo | Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Pruitt, officer-in-charge, Service and Recovery...... read more read more
BAGHDAD --It is not only the growing heat of the upcoming summer making the tin-roofed open bay of the 4th Brigade Combat Team's 704th Support Battalion Service and Recovery section hot.
Inside the building, the S&R section of Company C, 'starts fires for a living," or welds, and is constantly on the go to provide recovery and fabrication assets for the brigade.
The section has the task of supporting the battalion as well as the forward support companies working with the 4th BCT in its mission to secure and rebuild the nation of Iraq.
It supports units on Forward Operating Base Falcon, including the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Inf. Div.; 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment; and 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Pruitt, an Allied Trades Technician, who has spent his military career, in his own words, 'starting fires for a living," heads the section.
Led by Pruitt, the S&R section is composed of three Soldiers serving in different Military Occupational Specialties: 63B, Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic; 63H, Tracked Vehicle Mechanic; and 44B, Metal Worker.
The three MOSs combined give the section the ability to remain adaptable to whatever mission may come their way. With two wrecker trucks and one M88A2 Hercules Tracked Recovery Vehicle at its disposal, the section has the ability to recover any piece of equipment from the High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle to the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank.
With the ever-changing battlefield and the constant change of the terrorists" techniques and procedures, the ability to adapt is extremely important.
1st Lt. Casey Newell, a gun truck platoon leader, with Company A, 704th Spt. Bde. Said he recognizes the necessity for a section such as the Blacksmith's S&R.
"To be successful in this conflict means that you need to be able to adapt to an ever-changing enemy," Newell said.
"The technical expertise offered by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Pruitt and his Soldiers provides us with that means of adaptation," he said.
The S&R provides the means of adapting by fabricating devices such as the installation of the ballistic glass around the turret of the M1114 humvee, which allows gunners to have a greater field of view while remaining protected from enemy fire.
The Soldiers of S&R are learning to adapt as well by cross-training with the other MOSs of the section, said Staff Sgt. Gerald Williams, the section noncommissioned officer-in-charge and a wheeled vehicle mechanic.
"I thought there would be more of a mission for recovery than welding; however, with the higher demands for fabrication, it has allowed me the opportunity to cross train with chief and learn more about welding and develop a better understanding of what the 44Bs are capable."
Williams" positive outlooks are shared by the rest of the Soldiers of the sections.
"I am proud just to be a member of the section that helps make up the backbone of the battalion," said Sgt. Eddie Corpuz.
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2006 10:55 |
| Story ID: | 6160 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 246 |
| Downloads: | 175 |
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