CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- The combat readiness rate for Army Prepositioned Stock-5 equipment being used in support of Operation Spartan Shield is currently at 90 percent according to readiness reports received by the 401st Army Field Support Brigade, Nov. 6.
The 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team has used the equipment in multiple joint exercises with partner nations since July, 2018, when they drew the entire APS-5 ABCT equipment set.
Readiness data in the Nov. 6 report indicates the ABCT equipment set has a combat readiness rate of 90 percent, and a sustainment readiness rate of 89 percent.
Combat readiness rates reflect the status of combat equipment, including M1A2 Abrams Tanks and M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Sustainment readiness rates reflect the status of sustainment equipment, including M798 Fuel Trucks and M88 Recovery Vehicles.
The overall operational readiness rates have fluctuated between 89 and 91 percent during the last four months.
Fluctuations in operational readiness rates are normal as equipment gets heavily used in operations or exercises, said Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Fraser, maintenance chief, Army Field Support Battalion-Southwest Asia.
"Actually I am surprised it hasn't had a much wider margin," Fraser said. "The 155 (ABCT) maintainers have be doing a great job with their services and maintenance. It starts with making sure the equipment is ready at the point of issue, but we also continue to support 155 (ABCT) with some additional maintenance capabilities and expertise."
More than 100 URS mechanics were sent to Camp Buehring, Kuwait in August to help augment the 155th ABCT's maintenance capabilities through contracted support.
The AFSBn-SWA provides quality assurance oversight for that contracted maintenance support. The battalion also manages a forward Logistics Support Element to assist units with ordering and expediting critical specialized parts for needed equipment repairs.
"The contractors have given the unit some good over the shoulder help and have taken some of the work load off 155 (ABCT) maintainers," Fraser said. "The additional support gives the operators some added confidence. The competence level is there and the experience level is great for teaching."
Soldiers assigned to the 155th ABCT have participated in several high visibility combined joint exercises since arriving to Southwest Asia in June, 2018, including Desert Observer in Kuwait, Iron Eagle in the United Arab Emirates, Bright Star in Egypt, and Eastern Action in Qatar.
The Operation Spartan Shield mission is all about partnerships and readiness, said Maj. Brad Hollingsworth, S-4 (logistics), 155th ABCT.
"We maintain readiness through training but we also want to empower and embolden our allies, and through these partnerships we are able to learn from one another and work toward a common goal of regional stability," Hollingsworth said.
"The APS-5 draw has provided us reliable equipment to train and conduct missions," he said. "We have every piece of equipment we need to meet the demands of our partnership exercises as well as supporting Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve."
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