ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala - The 82nd Maintenance Company, a component of the Georgia National Guard, came to Anniston Army Depot June 12 for two weeks of training.
These Soldiers typically work on transmissions and engines for wheeled vehicles, such as the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, an eight-wheel drive diesel vehicle that can be configured with a crane, a generator or other equipment for use in a variety of missions.
When deployed, however, the men and women of the maintenance company may be asked to repair a variety of vehicles. Therefore, they needed experience with the types of engines and transmissions overhauled here.
"By working with these Army civilians, we're learning tricks of the trade. They know things to make each process easier," said 1st Lt. Paula Paul of the 82nd Maintenance Company.
The guard unit is comprised of about 130 Soldiers. However, only 20 came to Anniston. Most of the remaining troops visited Letterkenny Army Depot in Pennsylvania and Camp Dodge in Iowa to simulate a wartime scenario of sending small, specialized teams where they are needed.
The unit's headquarters company stayed in Fort Benning to coordinate the missions and provide support.
According to Chief Warrant Officer 3 David Keske, this was the first time many of the Soldiers had been on annual training. He felt it was beneficial for them to work with the more experienced workforce at Anniston.
"We got one-on-one training with the civilians here," he said. "They have a lot of pride in their job and they really want us to be able to do the job perfectly."
Sgt. 1st Class Harvey Maddox of the 82nd Maintenance said the Soldiers were impressed with the modern facilities at the depot, like the Powertrain Flexible Maintenance Facility.
He said the company's workspace at Fort Benning resembles a mechanic's garage and the tools they use are general mechanic tools, not the computerized and specialty equipment the Soldiers experienced in Anniston.
"When we get back [to Georgia], they won't have the computers and they won't have the air tools. They will have to use the tools available to them. However, the basic procedures the Soldiers have learned will be same," said Maddox.
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