MANNHEIM, Germany -- Quality Assurance specialists assigned to the Army Field Support Battalion-Mannheim play an essential role in supporting Soldiers with the best and most reliable equipment available.
AFSBn-Mannheim, one of four battalions assigned to the 405th Army Field Support Brigade, manages Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 in Germany and maintains more than 11,500 pieces of equipment designated for multiple brigade-sized equipment sets. QA specialists with AFSBn-Mannheim oversee contracted maintenance in both Mannheim and Duelmen, Germany, as part of a comprehensive quality assurance program.
"We are the second set of eyes, ensuring the warfighter receives the best equipment," said Deon Sparkling, QA supervisor, AFSBn-Mannheim.
The contract performance representatives provide information on closed work orders to QA specialists on a weekly basis, ensuring everything is checked and cross-checked before it is scheduled to go out for use by Soldiers.
"It's all about the warfighter," said John Galimore, deputy to the commander, AFSBn-Mannheim. "Our QA specialists ensure we maintain quality equipment. They provide the check[s] and balances to ensure we provide the best equipment available," he said.
The battalion's QA specialists perform surveillance inspections, exams, and process reviews for all combat platforms, weapons, generators, trailers, and more. Inspections include checking the functionality of all major systems and Soldier technologies.
"We ensure all equipment is fully mission capable," said Cantrell Mitzs, QA specialist, AFSBn-Mannheim. "The Soldier needs to have confidence in the equipment to be at his best."
Most QA specialists are veterans bringing their combat experience and expertise to the quality assurance program.
"Hands-on experience is the best experience," said Army veteran David Gaddy, QA specialist, AFSBn-Mannheim. We know the importance of equipment being deployment ready, having lived the experience of being forward deployed."
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