Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Overseas Operations
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 After IED hit, 'only thing we couldn't fix was the air conditioning' By Sgt. John Young
                Vermont National Guard
 GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The call came in early one morning for the mechanics of Troop B, 1-172nd Calvary Squadron, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) of the Vermont National Guard. One of their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles had hit an Improvised Explosive Device. Plans were immediately underway to repair and order parts even before the dead-lined vehicle returned here to Forward Operating Base Vulcan. Nobody really knew how bad the MRAP was but the mechanics assigned to the Vermont-based National Guard unit were preparing for a long night. Those on the scene reported that the front of the MRAP had taken the brunt of the blast and, fortunately, no one had suffered any serious injuries. The MRAP had done its job of sacrificing itself to save those inside by absorbing the blast and redirecting the impact away from its occupants. From the initial report, the mechanics could already tell that the massive front axle had to be replaced, which would be no small feat in this remote area of Ghazni, Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Robert Green was one of the first to inspect the disabled MRAP when it made its way back to FOB Vulcan. Green, a fleet manager for the city of Burlington, Vermont, is well aware of some of the challenges of working on a big vehicle. An MRAP, however, is another story. "We met the wrecker at the gate at about midnight and directed them to put it up on jack stands in the maintenance area," said Green. "We then did a quick assessment and found out that we needed a new fender, a new axle and a new spring. We determined that we could definitely fix it here. Some of the parts we had here and we started to replace them." Some of the parts, most notably the front axle were not located on FOB Vulcan and given the importance of the MRAP to the unit's missions, time was of the essence. "We learned that the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Ghazni had [an axle], so we made arrangements to borrow that one for a few days," said Green. "That night, we picked it up from the PRT and started to get the axle set. We finished up tightening the u-bolts and putting the tires back on and by lunch time the next day it was driving. Just the fine tuning needed to be done, but it was relatively quick when we got the parts." Given the size of the vehicle and the lack of specialized tools, such a task would normally seem insurmountable. But Green's experience with big rigs helped him through the job and pass on knowledge to the other Soldiers. "Seeing that I do this for a living, I knew it was going to be relatively easy," he said. "I knew it was a nuts and bolts type thing and as soon as I saw it I knew it was not going to be a challenge for the team. Everyone on the team had a part whether it was putting on a fender or replacing a spring and axle and a lot of the newer guys installed most of the newer parts under the supervision of a few of us. "So if this happens again, they may not be experts, but they will know what to do. We did all of this with general mechanics tools and what tools were on the MRAP. But I knew we had the tools to fix this. I mean, it would have been nice to have the right specialized tools like an impact wrench but we got it done. The only thing we couldn't fix in the vehicle was the air-conditioning." One of the youngest Soldiers on the team was also there when the disabled MRAP came in the gate. Not having the experience of working on something this big with this type of damage before, he was looking forward to learning a few things, said Pvt. Christopher James Murray, a full-time carpenter when he is not working as a mechanic. "We got it in and removed the damaged parts and put it up on jack stands," he said. "It was my first time changing [an axel] so I did learn something. [The damage] could have been worse but these things are built like a tank. There is a lot to learn but I know the next one will go easier."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 NY National Guard Strengthens Bonds with Allies in Morocco Overseas Operations • yesterday
 Alaska Guard Soldiers Honored Before Middle East Deployment Overseas Operations • 8 days ago
 29th Infantry Division HQ Heads Exercise Immediate Response Overseas Operations • 13 days ago
 134th Medical Company Joins Combined Resolve Exercise Overseas Operations • 14 days ago
 Guard Soldiers, Czech Partners Celebrate Victory in Europe Day Overseas Operations • 16 days ago
 2024 (24)  2023 (57)  2022 (71)  2021 (58)  2020 (41)  2019 (56)  2018 (55)  2017 (46)  2016 (31)  2015 (36)  2014 (48)  2013 (64)  2012 (134)  2011 (163)  2010 (179)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil