Snow and ice cover the surface of the 211th SMC motor pool as the smell of diesel fills the frigid January air. A Palletized Loading System (PLS) truck is carefully ground-guided back towards a Forward Repair System (FRS) as a hydraulically powered hook arm lifts the FRS onto the PLS trailer. The entire process takes but a few minutes as Automotive and Armament Platoon (A&A), Platoon Sergeant, SFC Joseph Staggers, proudly demonstrates the platoon’s new equipment.
The platoon received the equipment in April of 2009, and SFC Staggers and Section Sergeant, SSG Ryan Brofford, explain they are diligently working towards getting all section members trained and licensed. Of the 21 troops in SSG Brofford’s section, he explains that 14 of them have arrived to the unit within the last 18 months. Although this has made things a little difficult for the section, SSG Brofford feels that this is good for the section, to “start out fresh”. “By the end of the drill weekend we’ll have 5 total trained on the PLS” he states and another 11 soldiers were taking a basic driving course in preparation. |
The PLS and FRS system are indispensable pieces of equipment which SFC Staggers explains replaces at least two tractor trailers and a wrecker that they would normally be required to haul to annual training. The FRS equates a maintenance shop with “a full tool load” of welders, air compressors, a generator, cutting torches, and other essential equipment. SFC Staggers states that they can “take that monkey anywhere”.
The pride in the new equipment is evident in SFC Staggers and SSG Brofford, but equally evident is that the pride stems from what the new equipment allows them to do, better serve the Ohio Army National Guard and give their troops the best possible equipment to work with. |
