Throw a wrench at it

Photo By Chief Warrant Officer Daniel McGowan | Sgt. Jesse Richards, from Mountain Iron, Minn., replaces a stator, (an ignition component) on a Polaris Ranger. Parts were on backorder from the manufacturer. Richards' creativity allowed him to upgrade the older equipment to newer standards. Modernizing the stator required changing another component, which required changing another, etc. The whole electronic ignition system was replaced to bring the vehicle to Fully Mission Capable.  

CAMP VIRGINIA, KUWAIT

11.01.2011

Story by Capt. Sara Behr 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait - When Chief Warrant Officer Justin Smude arrived to Kuwait in September, he immediately saw areas to focus his efforts with maintenance.

He and his five mechanics have a specific mission to provide maintenance support and fleet management to the command cell on Camp Virginia. The fleet consists of various “Green Equipment” (like HMMWV) and Non-Tactical Vehicles like civilian SUVs, John Deere Gators, and Polaris Rangers. “There's no army training for it [Gators and Rangers] so they're using their civilian skills and ingenuity,” said Lt. Col. Brian Bobo, Camp Commander for Camp Virginia.

“My mechanics have been working extremely hard and have taken ownership and instilled a sense of pride into these vehicles,” said Smude. “Their creativity, persistence and dedication to the customer clearly shows.” They steadily brought the Fleet’s Operational Readiness from 68% to 89%.

Along with "Turning Wrenches", they dedicate one day a week to "Area Improvement." That improvement has consisted of organizing containers, tagging and turning in excessive parts and tools, improving waste and hazardous products controls and working steadily on a shop safety improvement program. "If you could have seen this place when we got here ... wow!"

• Date Taken: 11.01.2011
• Date Posted: 11.18.2011 14:01
• Story ID: 80230
• Location: CAMP VIRGINIA, KW