BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan--Six sets of eyes in the 3-401st Army Field Support Battalion Quality Assurance/Quality Control shop are the "last line of defense for Soldiers taking equipment outside the wire."
The six inspectors are responsible for inspecting work completed on military vehicles and equipment before it is returned to units. QA/QC inspectors ensure unit equipment undergoing repairs or maintenance is battle ready and will perform as required when lives depend on that equipment functioning as expected.
"Bottom line -- we ensure Soldiers are provided with the best possible vehicles, equipment and services," said Russell W. Gordy, Jr., quality assurance chief. "We are the last line of defense for Soldiers taking equipment outside the wire. Lives depend on what we do."
Gordy explained that inspectors look at selected vehicles at various intervals in the upgrade process, but they inspect every vehicle for final government acceptance at the end of contract maintenance. They inspect the paperwork trail, the vehicle itself and test drive a percentage of the vehicles.
"They open all the panels and doors, get on top of and underneath the vehicle with a flashlight," Gordy said. "They check air and hydraulic hoses, look for oil leaks and cracked springs."
Gordy said each inspection covers between 80 and 100 items and that they will also look at things not on the checklist to ensure Soldier safety. He mentioned that even when not on the checklist they routinely check the ballistic glass on overhead gunner protection kits to make sure it's installed correctly.
Gary A. Shirley, quality assurance specialist, said when a unit brings a vehicle in for a maintenance issue, the contractors will conduct a complete technical inspection of the vehicle, not just look at the reported problem. The unit will be contacted with the results of the inspection and the commander decides what additional work will be authorized.
Contractor inspectors inspect the work being completed on vehicles as the workers finish each interval explained David Clark, a wheel technical inspector.
"It's our job to reject [the work] before it gets to Mr. Shirley," said Timothy Rusco, contractor quality control manager.
Shirley said maintenance and repair is usually completed on the communication, fire suppression and air conditioning systems as well as more typical vehicle repair or maintenance work.
The FSS (fire suppression) shop is certified to remove, store and turn in HVAC refrigerants said Derek Ingram, contractor fire suppression and HVAC supervisor. His shop will drain and purge HVAC units that are being repaired or prepped for shipping or turn-in to Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services.
Ingram cited a recent example of a unit needing a specific refrigerant that cost more than $20,000 if ordered, but his shop was able to provide it to the customer on the spot thereby saving money but more importantly getting it to the unit without delay so they could execute their missions.
He added that his shop works on fire extinguishers and can save an average of $2,000 every time they repair a bottle as opposed to buying a replacement. His team can repair gauges, pressure sensors, valve heads and activation valves and they have the chemicals to recharge the bottles.
The QA/QC inspectors also inspect weapons that have had work completed at the small arms support center. Shirley said the SASC works on mortars and all weapons and when inspecting, he will typically ask for a functions check. He looks at the paperwork and has the contractor explain exactly what has been replaced and makes sure all the parts are working correctly.
They also conduct annual gauging inspections and inspect weapons prior to shipping said Gordy.
"The annual gauging concerns us the most," said Gordy. "Those are the weapons that go into the fight."
Gordy said the team uses a calibrated set of measurements standards to check the dimensions of the weapon and check for conformity to standards.
By tracking the types of issues that cause a vehicle or weapon to be brought in for service or repairs, the QA inspectors are able to identify trends and emerging issues that are sent to higher headquarters for situational awareness and action.
"We are the eyes and ears of the battalion and brigade," said Shirley. "We see trends and discrepancies and start the notification process."
We [QA inspectors] all take our job very seriously," Shirley said. "We inspect to ensure vehicles are 100 percent functional and safe when Soldiers pick them up to take outside the wire."
"Soldiers are what we're here for and whatever they need, we try to provide," he added.
He said he depends on the contractors who are all fully invested in providing a safe and functional item to the Soldiers. He sees a sense of satisfaction on the part of the workforce and notes that the Soldiers are very appreciative.
"When I perform a final inspection, I think it could by my son or daughter in that vehicle and I want to ensure it's in the best possible shape," he concluded.
Social Sharing