SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan - Combined Task Force Lightning mechanics overcome the challenges of an under manned company, responsible for maintaining hundreds of vehicles at Forward Operating Base Spin Boldak.
The 29th Brigade Support Company found the answer to meet the demands of the FOB by training its mechanics to cover different classes of repair.
"We support every battalion within [525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade] and the civilians on FOB Spin Boldak," said Staff Sgt. Stephen Noble, 29th BSC, 525th BfSB.
The 29th BSC mechanics regularly perform maintenance on Mine Resistant Ambush Protected military vehicles.
"When it comes to maintenance we do everything," said Noble. "We'll change a motor, we'll change a tire - our job is to keep the vehicles running."
The process for maintaining these vehicles can be labor intensive and time consuming.
"A truck comes in, and we have to check all of its components, hydraulic fluid, transmission fluid- basically - from the bottom up on the truck and make sure everything is serviceable," said Spc. Eric Mota, an all-wheel-mechanic, 29th BSC, 525th BfSB.
As the Soldiers become proficient at maintaining these vehicles they come to understand what repairs must be done.
"Every time a truck comes in, you know what has to happen and you just knock it out," said Mota, an Austin, Texas, native.
However, the number of mechanics the 29th BSC has challenges their ability to accomplish their tasks.
"We have to put in extra hours, and the Soldiers have to work harder," said Noble, a Lakewood, Calif, native. "Even though they're undermanned, the Soldiers have been keeping up with the power curve."
One way the company overcomes their lack of manpower is cross training mechanics from other schools of maintenance.
"The most rewarding part of this job, for me, is when you cross train someone, you can send them out on their own," said Mota. "When you see that they've grasped what you taught them, and they've applied it all on their own, that's the best part."
With this technique the mechanics are able to perform maintenance on more then 30 vehicles a week.
"They definitely do take charge and step up when they need to," said Noble. "It makes me happy knowing that they know their job and they'll do what it takes to get it done."
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