PLATOON SERGEANT
: SFC OSTOLAZA
NCOIC: SFC GONZALEZ MAINT TECH: CW4 ARROYO
Hello to Our Loved Families and Friends from the Maintenance Platoon!
During the month of September Maintenance Platoon has done outstanding on all areas from customer support to Forward Operating Base (FOB) force protection. SGT Garcia, SPC Lopez and SPC Robles have led the way as tower guards. SGT McBride went to Qatar for a 4 day pass for winning the NCO of the month board, (Outstanding Performance!). SPC Lopez attended the E-5 promotion board and passed with a score of 146, (Congratulations to SPC Lopez!). SPC Melli was promoted on the 1st of the month to the rank of SGT in a small ceremony at the Automotive Shop where SGT Devillier and SGT Vaifanua had the opportunity to place the E-5 stripes on this new NCO's collar. PFC Cotton was promoted to specialist during the same ceremony. He was pinned by CPT Warner, former Platoon Leader of the Component Repair Platoon (CRP). Congratulations to SGT Melli and SPC Cotton on their promotion, well deserved!
SPC Guzman was presented with the Hard Charger of the Week award from the Commander, CPT. James E. Gannon for outstanding performance during the replacement of a M1114 wiring harness. Also, CW4 Arroyo presented SGT Melli and SGT Jackson with the Warrant Officer coin for excellence for outstanding performance and Can Do Attitude.
We have been busy conducting property inventories, performing unscheduled maintenance on 3 ID Division Support Brigade (DSB) Personal Security Team (PST) M1114 Up-Armored HMMWVs charging systems (Kudos to SGT. Jackson!), general level support maintenance on automotive components, fuel and electric components support, Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) transmission support, and establishing a General Support Equipment (GSE) bench stock to support units a Hunter Army Airfield upon redeployment. Although, we try to concentrate on 3ID and FOB maintenance support we extended our assistance to a marine team on their way to northern Iraq. SGT Melli performed repairs on their M1114 and SSG Barr helped them to get needed parts from the Class VII yard, (Outstanding Team Work!). From 15 August to 16 September a 94th Maintenance Team, composed of CW4 Arroyo, SFC Gonzalez, SSG Chapman (Motor Pool), SSG Brogdon (Motor Pool), SSG Arthur (Armament), SGT McCall (Motor Pool), and SGT White (Motor Pool) conducted Assistant Visit Inspections for 3rd Brigade Combat Team (BCT). During the inspections we inspected six battalions and four separate companies, identifying areas that needed improvement and providing our professional assistance and recommendations (Outstanding Work Team!). Our civilian contractor Mr. Dennis G. Chandler and SGT Swiger are working on the fine tuning of the transmission test stand, looking forward to get it into operation within the next few days.
Last week we had the pleasure of enjoying an unexpected visit from SSG Campbell and SPC Gilbert (CRP platoon members) who are currently stationed at Rustamya and have been doing outstanding. Last week the platoon had an organized pool day. Yes, there is a pool here at Camp Taji, Iraq! The platoon had a BBQ, played water volleyball, and relaxed. We have also had the opportunity to participate in various company sports activities to include softball and kickball.
Lastly we want to send our prayers to a member of our team and his family. SPC Noe Santos is recuperating at Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington DC from injuries suffered during a road side Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion during a mission in Iraq. Get Well Hard Charger, you still part of the Team!
This is all we have for now, thanks for your support and continue keeping the Postal Service busy; it is a moral booster for the Soldiers.
Sincerely;
CW4 Santiago Arroyo, Shop OIC
and the leadership and Soldiers of the Maintenance Platoon
