ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Small arms repairers Ray Carmichael and Michael Griggs recently returned from an overseas assignment to repair M2A1 machine guns in Afghanistan.
Both men have deployed for small arms missions, both stateside and overseas, in the past. But this year's mission was different from previous ones because the men were working on the front lines.
"We had to be confident in the work we were doing," said Carmichael. "To know we could help the Soldiers and support them was a good feeling."
Griggs said he enjoyed having Soldiers watch him work because it gave him a chance to teach them more about the weapon they rely on. He also presented a class to a small arms support system in theater, training other small arms repairers to work on the M2A1.
Weather and mission requirements often made travel in-country difficult for the duo, who each visited six different units, but both enjoyed their time with the warfighters and were pleased with what they were able to accomplish.
"We just wanted to make sure we put out a good product because, at the end of the day, it was Anniston Army Depot's name on the line," said Griggs.
When the two men returned from their assignment, Col. Brent Bolander, ANAD commander, and Depot Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Marcon visited the Small Arms Repair Facility to thank them for their service and present coins.
Social Sharing