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Members of the Maryland National Guard assist Kameron Scott (centered), a newly hired small arms repairmen, with servicing of weapons at the Logistics Readiness Center – Fort Meade, Maryland, February 6, 2026. It took the team just three days to inspect and service the M4 rifles, M17 pistols, M500 shotguns, M249 squad automatic weapons, and M240B machine guns that made up most of the backlog. Tasks included preventive maintenance checks, gauging and inspections, parts replacement, minor repairs, and closing out safety and maintenance action messages. (Courtesy Photo)
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Newly hired small arms repairman Kameron Scott inspects a M17 pistol at the Logistics Readiness Center – Fort Meade, Maryland, February 6, 2026. It took the team of Maryland National Guardsmen just three days to inspect and service the M4 rifles, M17 pistols, M500 shotguns, M249 squad automatic weapons, and M240B machine guns that made up most of the backlog. Tasks included preventive maintenance checks, gauging and inspections, parts replacement, minor repairs, and closing out safety and maintenance action messages. (Courtesy Photo)
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Newly hired small arms repairman Kameron Scott performs maintenance on an M4 with assistance from a member of the Maryland National Guard at the Logistics Readiness Center – Fort Meade, Maryland, February 6, 2026. It took the team of Maryland National Guardsmen just three days to inspect and service the M4 rifles, M17 pistols, M500 shotguns, M249 squad automatic weapons, and M240B machine guns that made up most of the backlog. Tasks included preventive maintenance checks, gauging and inspections, parts replacement, minor repairs, and closing out safety and maintenance action messages. (Courtesy Photo)
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Maryland Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Hawley explains to Mr. George Lokas, LRC Deputy Maintenance Chief, the process of servicing M17 pistons at the Logistics Readiness Center – Fort Meade, Maryland, February 6, 2026. It took the team just three days to inspect and service the M4 rifles, M17 pistols, M500 shotguns, M249 squad automatic weapons, and M240B machine guns that made up most of the backlog. Tasks included preventive maintenance checks, gauging and inspections, parts replacement, minor repairs, and closing out safety and maintenance action messages. (Courtesy Photo)
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A team of five Maryland Army National Guard armorers and equipment readiness specialists assisted with maintaining the backlog of weapons in need of service at the Logistics Readiness Center – Fort Meade, Maryland, February 6, 2026. It took the team just three days to inspect and service the M4 rifles, M17 pistols, M500 shotguns, M249 squad automatic weapons, and M240B machine guns that made up most of the backlog. Tasks included preventive maintenance checks, gauging and inspections, parts replacement, minor repairs, and closing out safety and maintenance action messages. (Courtesy Photo)
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FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. — When the Logistics Readiness Center – Fort Meade, found itself with a backlog of more than 1,000 weapons in need of maintenance in December of 2025, it called on the state’s National Guard.
Within weeks, a team of five Maryland Army National Guard armorers and equipment readiness specialists arrived on-site to complete the mission. The team, which is a part of the Guard’s Surface Maintenance Combined Support Maintenance Shop at the Havre de Grace Military Reservation, treated the request as an immediate safety issue, said Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Hawley, 1729th Support Maintenance Company.
“Ensuring every Soldier and law enforcement officer can safely execute their duties is a no-brainer,” said Hawley. “When there’s concern about operator safety, that becomes the top priority.”
As top priority, it took the team just three days to inspect and service the M4 rifles, M17 pistols, M500 shotguns, M249 squad automatic weapons, and M240B machine guns that made up most of the backlog. Tasks included preventive maintenance checks, gauging and inspections, parts replacement, minor repairs, and closing out safety and maintenance action messages.
The assistance could be the difference between life and death, said Carlos W. Hill, maintenance division chief, LRC-Fort Meade.
“Small-arms maintenance directly affects a Soldier’s ability to fight and safely perform daily missions,” said Hill. “The Guard ensured our weapons were compliant and ready, which is critical for Fort Meade units that carry weapons during daily operations.”
After addressing the immediate needs of LRC-Fort Meade and those who depend on them, the National Guard team also helped prepare LRC-Fort Meade for a critical inspection scheduled by Army Sustainment Command twice a year. The next inspection is set to take place this summer.
The Guard Soldiers focused on training and collaboration while here, as the newly hired weapons specialist was unable to perform small-arms repair and services because they were awaiting a slot at the armament school.
Hawley is proud of his team and believes they personify the motto of the National Guard “Always Ready, Always There.”
“They didn’t just show up to do a job,” said Hawley. “They shared their knowledge, taught inspections and on-the-spot repairs, and acted as a force multiplier.”
George S. Yokas, a logistics management specialist with LRC-Fort Meade, said their assistance even helped the newest employee at LRC-Fort Meade get some experience.
“The LRC is extremely grateful for the incredible support,” said Yokas. “They closed out all of our safety messages and helped our new small-arms repair specialist by taking the time to teach and mentor.”
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