MSSG-26 facilitates retrograde from Iraq

[thedrifter]

MSSG-26 facilitates retrograde from Iraq

Sgt. Roman Yurek

26th MEU (SOC) Public Affairs

May 7, 2003

MEDITERANEAN SEA - As the Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) returned from Mosul, Iraq, after supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, their tactical vehicles and equipment that accompanied them were in need of maintenance and cleaning before being reloaded aboard the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group.

To meet this requirement, the Marines and Sailors of the 26th MEU's (SOC) combat service support element, MEU Service Support Group-26, established a port operations group and a beach operations group ashore to assist all the MEU elements in returning their vehicles to ship-shape condition prior to their embarkation.

More than 50 vehicles were driven to the port and beach areas from a nearby airfield. Once there, drivers and motor transport Marines performed essential preventive maintenance checks and minor repairs on every vehicle. Serious mechanical problems were handed over to the MSSG maintenance detachment for repair.

Of all the vehicles inspected and serviced, the most significant mechanical problem discovered was a Light Armored Vehicle with a broken engine, explained Cpl. Ben Clark, MSSG-26, the Marine in charge of the wash racks for the port operations group.

With the required tools and parts already on board, the maintenance detachment took advantage of the small time window and replaced the engine while the vehicle was still on the pier. Through the mechanics' hard work and technical expertise, the engine was replaced, the vehicle was washed and it was combat loaded for embarkation, now fully mission capable. By comparison, such a repair aboard ship could require the ship to rearrange its embarked vehicles, a significant logistical task, and could take several days.

Other than the LAV, very few mechanical problems were discovered. Most vehicles experienced only minor problems, such as small fluid leaks. However these small discrepancies could have evolved into major problems, if left unattended.

At the wash racks, the vehicles were sprayed top to bottom, inside and out with high pressured water, said Clark, who noted that most of the dirt accumulations were found in the under carriage of the vehicles. "Things are moving very smoothly thus far," said Clark. On average, it only took 30 minutes to clean a single Humvee, he said.

Dirty tactical vehicles fresh from Iraq were not the only vehicular customers going through the cleaning site. Nearly 30 vehicles that had remained on ship during the MEU's deployment to Iraq were also taken off the ships for cleaning, explained Capt. John P. Bazylewicz, MSSG-26. "This has been a piece of cake compared to the on-load of both the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the II Marine Expeditionary Force," said Bazylewicz, comparing this embarkation to the previous ones the MSSG assisted with before deployment.

Once the vehicles were repaired and cleaned, the drivers worked with Combat Cargo Marines to meticulously reload the ships according to the load plan, explained Sgt. Larry McCosar, the platoon sergeant for the detachment. The load plan ensures all the vehicles are positioned aboard the ships in the correct order so they can be rapidly deployed in real-world operations in accordance with the MEU Commander's landing plan, said Staff Sgt. Louis J. Sbrizza, the 26th MEU (SOC) embark chief.

With the operation now complete and the vehicles stowed aboard ship, all the Marines and Sailors of the 26th MEU (SOC) are looking forward to a well-deserved liberty port before pressing on with their scheduled deployment.


26MEU Public Affairs Office, 2003


Sempers,

Roger