1st Armored Division Maintainers Drive Innovation and Readiness

FORT BLISS, Texas — Soldiers from the 1st Armored Division are pioneering innovative solutions to modernize and increase the readiness of America's Tank Division. Their efforts were highlighted during a Nov. 18, 2024 presentation to Sergeant Major of the Army Michael R. Weimer, showcasing the division's commitment to staying ahead of the curve.

The briefing, conducted by soldiers from the 377th Transportation Company, 142nd Division Support Sustainment Battalion, 1st Armored Division Sustainment Brigade, focused on addressing challenges in equipment maintenance and readiness. These soldiers demonstrated their unit's ingenuity, leveraging local partnerships with El Paso industries to advance equipment, and data-driven decision-making to enhance capabilities.

One key aspect of the presentation centered on the unit's success in boosting equipment readiness rates. This improvement was achieved through a combination of innovative practices, such as locally sourcing parts and investing in specialized equipment to manufacture components in-house.

"In the past year we increased our equipment readiness from approximately 24% to 82% through multiple targeted efforts. Our Army Field Support Battalion (AFSBN) partners also played a critical role in parts acquisition and lateral support from other installations enabled us to expedite repairs significantly," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jesse Arredondo, an automotive maintenance technician assigned to the 377th Transportation Company, 142nd Division Sustainment Support Battalion, Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division.

“The AFSBN team also provided real-time updates on the availability of lower and higher assemblies within the supply system, allowing us to prioritize and streamline repairs for mission-essential equipment.”

The soldiers also discussed their collaboration with the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to provide maintainers with certifications and training opportunities. This partnership has not only expanded technical expertise but also empowered soldiers to take on more complex maintenance tasks.

"Our battalion has partnered with UTEP to provide maintainers with specialized certifications and training opportunities. Through this collaboration, we arranged a one-week, in-class training course focused on additive manufacturing. Sgt. Jacob Lozano attended the course, where he gained advanced knowledge in 3D printing technologies and applications," said Arredondo.

“Additionally, we established a professional relationship with the course director, which positions us to stay informed about future developments and initiatives. This partnership aligns with 1st Armored Division's strategic objective of leveraging 3D printing to produce replacement parts for aging rolling stock that are no longer available through traditional supply channels.”

In addition to external partnerships, the unit has implemented robust on-the-job training programs aimed at building proficiency and confidence among its maintainers. These initiatives are designed to ensure Soldiers can adapt to evolving requirements while maintaining high standards of performance.

"We are currently coordinating with Red River Army Depot to provide advanced maintenance-level training to our mechanics. This training will focus on the hydraulic and air system components of M1000 trailers as well as electrical diagnostics for the M1070A1 HETs. Our objective is to enhance the technical knowledge and efficiency of our mechanics, equipping them with the skills necessary to excel in their roles," said Arredondo.

During his visit, Weimer engaged directly with Soldiers, underscoring the importance of their work and the impact it has on overall Army readiness.

"The purpose of our presentation to the SMA was to showcase the innovative solutions we have implemented to expedite repairs and enhance readiness in response to delays within the supply systems. Additionally, we aimed to present trends and usage reports that highlight the consistently high operational tempo of 1AD, particularly in comparison to other HET companies. This analysis underscores the critical need for a consistent flow of parts to sustain 1AD's support during operations," said Arredondo.

The unit also highlighted how it uses data to track and improve readiness metrics, enabling leaders to make informed decisions that enhance operational efficiency.

"Collecting and utilizing data has helped us to predict and project parts failure based on equipment utilization and trends across heavy equipment transport units," said Sgt. 1st Class Luis Carrillo, brigade S4 senior maintenance analyst, Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division.

“By conducting demand analysis, we can identify trends and determine whether adjustments to stock levels are necessary. This proactive approach enables us to maintain the right balance of parts inventory, minimizing downtime and ensuring the operational availability of our fleet,” added Arredondo.

The presentation to the SMA not only highlighted the challenges and achievements of 1AD but also reaffirmed the Army's commitment to innovation at every level. These efforts exemplify the dedication of America’s Tank Division to maintaining readiness and ensuring it is prepared to compete now and, if needed, fight and win a future conflict.