JBER Public Affairs
11/26/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson vehicle mechanics work to ensure vehicle fleets are operationally ready for any mission.
"The mission of the JBER mechanics is to ensure the world's greatest fighting force has the ability to train, deploy and sustain the fight at any time and in any condition," said Jeremy Henry, 404th Army Field Support Brigade Logistics Readiness Center mechanic.
Without vehicles, many missions supported on JBER would come to a halt.
"The types of military vehicles we work on include, but aren't limited to, Humvees, heavy expanded mobility tactical trucks, mine-resistant ambush protected, family of medium tactical vehicles, tractors and various forklifts," Henry said. "Each of the above mentioned also include the various configurations they come in, from wreckers to load handling systems and electrical and hydraulic subsets. We also service and repair generators, lawn mowers, various earth-moving equipment and off-road vehicles, such as snowmachines and side-by-sides," Henry said.
Tactical vehicles offer a unique set of maintenance challenges.
"Here at the special purpose equipment repair section, we work on almost every piece of tactical equipment that the arctic warriors employ," Henry said. "There is no such thing as a typical day in our line of work any more than there is a typical day for the Soldiers we assist. Some days can be as simple as winterizing a Humvee to the polar opposite of replacing the power packs in the heavy expanded mobility tactical trucks. We have also been known to recover vehicles in the field and to support the offloading of vehicles coming off Army ships at the port of Anchorage."
While Army mechanics focus more on tactical vehicles, Air Force vehicle maintainers sustain base-support vehicles.
Senior Master Sergeant Ronald Cole, 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Management flight chief, said his unit has their hands on every non-tactical vehicle on JBER.
"We maintain the vehicle fleet and oversee the management of the Government Support Agency fleet," Cole said. "I have 125 personnel; each and every one of them is a professional and each and every one of them is good at their job."
He said his Vehicle Maintenance and Vehicle Management and Analysis shops work together to track the preventive maintenance program for 1,700 vehicles on base, of which 950 are government owned and repaired by vehicle management. Cole said the fleet is valued at $155 million.
According to Cole, base support vehicle maintainers are particularly busy during the winter. During these times vehicle maintainers are on the flightline and in the streets repairing vehicles that move snow and ice.
"They give 100 percent all the time," Cole said. "If a de-icer goes down, my guys will come in at any time; even if it's non-duty hours. We support 24-hour operations because my personnel understand the importance of those assets and what they mean to the base. They understand that no matter what you are doing or what time it is, you respond and take care of the problem."
Unlike their Army counterparts, who employ a variety of specialists in specific vehicle systems, the 673d LRS vehicle maintainers have to absorb a broad spectrum of training.
"VM is bumper to bumper," Cole said. "We are responsible for every system on the vehicle. It doesn't matter if it's hydraulics, fuels systems, body works, brakes ... all of it. One mechanic is given a work order and is told 'here, go fix that.'"
Although the Air Force and Army has different approaches, their end goal remains the same.
"The people who work here are dedicated employees who do their job to the best of their ability," Henry said. "Most are driven to success both in their profession and in support of the mission. There's a wide variety of skills in this shop, and where one might be weak in an area, they may excel in another. When it comes to getting the vehicles out on time, I think that the team here really comes together to help each other achieve the overall goal of the mission."
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