Maintenance Mafia” keeps 3rd LAR in the fight
The 3rd Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion has proven itself time and again as an effective mobile infantry unit.
http://www.op29online.com/articles/2007/09/21/news/news07.txt
Friday September 21, 2007
Lance Cpl. Nicholas M. Dunn
Combat Correspondent
However, no combat unit can operate proficiently without motor transport and logistical support.
The support 3rd LAR receives comes in many different forms. Each section of the support element, the self-proclaimed “Maintenance Mafia,” has its own unique role to perform in order to keep everything moving smoothly.
“Basically, we’re here to support anyone with vehicles from 3rd LAR or any attached units,” said Staff Sgt. Jason L. Dollahan, motor transport maintenance chief, 3rd LAR. “The battalion could have anywhere between 70-75 pieces of gear operating at any given time and they all need operational and maintenance support.”
Since there can be convoys operating both day and night, there is always a dispatcher ready to answer the radio from the supply convoys, Dollahan explained.
“The logistics packs are probably our most important assets,” said Dollahan. “Each log pack will operate once or twice at any given time each day because resupply times vary.”
The motor transport section also has approximately seven maintenance personnel standing by. Every time a log pack goes on a mission, at least one Marine from maintenance goes with them. If there are more than 10 vehicles in the convoy, additional maintenance personnel are sent to provide the best possible support.
Dollahan said, recently, sergeants have been placed in charge of the log packs, which is normally a responsibility reserved for staff noncommissioned officers.
“Recently, our commanding officer has been stressing the importance of our noncommissioned officers,” said 1st Lt. Jake Sandmeyer, public affairs officer, 3rd LAR. “These convoys will drive an average of 14,000-15,000 miles on a six-month deployment, so enforcing leadership at a lower level enhances the proficiency of the Marines.”
Although logistics convoys provide an invaluable service, even they need support. Teams of mechanics, engineers and welders also work to make sure convoys continue to run by providing recovery, maintenance, electrical and heavy equipment support.
The recovery crew is responsible for supporting the line companies, as well as the resupply and maintenance vehicles. Their job is to recover vehicles that have been damaged or have broken down and return them to a safe location where they can be repaired by the mechanics and welders.
The welders repair damaged or broken vehicles that are brought back by the recovery team. Each company also has a welder embedded with it so vehicles can be repaired on-scene.
The engineers primarily provide electrical support to the battalion. Generators are used in the forward operating bases to give much-needed light and air conditioning to the command centers, and the medical and berthing tents.
The engineers also provide heavy equipment to the battalion, which is mainly used for construction purposes. However, their primary job is to keep the electrical units running.
Without the support from each individual cell of the Maintenance Mafia, 3rd LAR would be dead in the water.
“Any heavy vehicle unit is going to be more maintenance-intensive,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Scott A. Manlick, battalion maintenance officer, 3rd LAR. “We’re here to support in any way possible to keep the fighters fighting. If it’s broken, we fix it.”
The Maintenance Mafia continues to support 3rd LAR on and off the battlefield. They will deploy to Iraq with the rest of the battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom this week.