TACOM LCMC Commanding General visits depot

TEXARKANA, Texas - Red River Army Depot hosted Maj. Gen. Kurt J. Stein, commanding general of the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, on 9 March during a visit to the depot. Accompanying Stein were Command Sgt. Maj. Clinton and Capt. Matthew Barger, Aide-de-Camp.

Stein began his visit with an office call with the RRAD Commander Col. Daniel G. Mitchell. Following discussions with Mitchell, Stein met with several members of the command group to discuss the Logistics Modernization Program and other hot topics.

"You guys do tremendous work," said Stein. "Our Soldiers are really depending on what you do here, and if you didn't do what you do we couldn't bring home as many men and women as we do."

In an interview with Stein he expanded on our Soldiers in the field.

"We have some tremendous young men and women serving our Nation and defending our freedom at all costs," he said. "They understand that freedom is not free. Our Soldiers and their families have sacrificed so much over the years."

Stein's tour of depot operations began with the Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Recycling Center and the Multi-Vehicle Line. While on the MVL, Stein had a chance to visit with the employees as well as sit in the first Heavy Equipment Transporter that was in road test prior to being painted.

While on tour, Stein learned about RRAD's completion of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected ambulance program for Ft. Bliss. Stein said as the Designated Source of Repair for MRAPs, RRAD is expected to continue repair and overhaul of the MRAPs.

"I see RRAD becoming the Center of Excellence for the MRAP vehicle," he said. "RRAD proudly serves overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, all in harm's way, to provide critical expertise and capability in support of the MRAP system."

He continued his tour visiting the Caterpillar engines as well as the Armor Security Vehicle reset line and Rubber Products division.

"I continue to be impressed each and every time I visit RRAD," said Stein. "Our RRAD employees are world-class and continue to provide our Warfighters with tremendous support at the tip of the spear."

The group made a stop by the new Habanero's restaurant for lunch. The tour continued with visits to the 5-Ton Truck and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System production areas.

The day was concluded with a close-out meeting.

"Even with all the uncertainty in the maintenance and sustainment business today, RRAD continues to get ahead of the confusion and make things happen," he said. "RRAD continues to respond to the many challenges in order to meet the critical mission needs of our Army."