CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - The 121st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division conducted a Maintenance Rodeo Aug. 20 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.
For many, the idea of a rodeo brings to mind thoughts of bulls, horses, cowboys, clowns, roaring fans and a peculiar smell that normally accompanies these events; but for the “Iron Hammer” Battalion, a Maintenance Rodeo is a time to get back to the basics of maintenance operations at the operator level.
To ensure equipment is maintained at a high level of readiness and continue the unit’s maintenance sustainment training of operators, the battalion executed the rodeo to provide a detailed technical inspection of the entire wheeled-vehicle fleet of the Supply and Distribution Company. The maintenance rodeo had five stations focusing on all areas of the equipment.
These logistic warriors started the day at 6 a.m. conducting by-the-book, by-the-numbers preventive maintenance checks and services to ensure they identified all faults at their level. By using this technique, under the supervision of their squad leaders and the truck masters, they ensured no deficiency went undiscovered. Following this action, the distribution platoon conducted a fleet “roll-out,” driving 20 km. completely around COB Adder to ensure the vehicle engines were at operating levels before moving into each of the focused maintenance areas established by the field maintenance company.
At the first station, the trailers, fuel tankers and other vehicles rolled over a seven-foot concrete ramp where wheeled-vehicle mechanics conducted intermediate-level maintenance checks to identify deficiencies and faults.
At station two, located in the BSB consolidated motorpool, another squad of wheeled-vehicle mechanics focused on elements of the engine compartment.
Operators then moved to station three where the ground support equipment maintainers awaited to verify the air conditioning system and conduct full technical inspections of all fuel tankers. At the next stop, operators with the Field Maintenance Company consolidated their technical inspectors to verify all faults and began to look-up parts to update official forms. The final task in the process was located in the maintenance control office where the Standard Army Maintenance System-Enhanced clerks awaited the equipment inspection and maintenance worksheet so they could update all the faults, order the required parts and send an updated status to the battalion support operations section.
After a full day of maintenance training and inspection, the supply and distribution company’s vehicle fleet was ready to roll. The Soldiers who participated in this training event said they were pleased with the results and the resolve of their noncommissioned officers to validate the accuracy of the equipment prior to them executing missions throughout southern Iraq.
