CWC 729 keep M198s fully mission capable
Marine Corps News
Release Date: 8/7/2003
Story by Lance Cpl. Andy J. Hurt
MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif(Aug 7, 2003) -- Throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom, hailstorms of fire from 155mm M198 Howitzer cannons lit up the Iraqi horizon, dealing death and destruction to enemy combatants who still had the will to fight.
As the enemy faced certain defeat before the eerily glorious explosions of 155mm ammunition, what few may have known was that many of the 72 Marine Corps and about 20 Army M198 Howitzers that provided critical field artillery fire support are more than 20 years old.
Fewer still realize the crucial role Maintenance Center Barstow's Cost Work Center 729 plays in ensuring the M198 Howitzers were full mission capable. Without CWC 729's countless hours of maintenance and restoration on the Howitzers, the cannons simply would not function.
Doug Van Dyke, artillery and small arms repair supervisor at CWC 729, claims that in the coming months at the Maintenance Center here, the artillery shop will receive anywhere from 27 to 30 cannons requiring on average more than 120 days to repair each gun.
The Marine Corps currently has a fleet of just fewer than 600 Howitzers, at least 500 of which Van Dyke has personally seen come through the shop since Desert Storm. The cannons returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom received minimal damage due to normal wear and tear, and all 72 Marine Corps weapons are slated to return.
Although the cannons have seen vastly improved design engineering over the recent years, the weapons still undergo constant maintenance due to the stresses of fleet operation.
"We don't see much damage from enemy fire," said Van Dyke.
Weapons cycled through CWC 729 are stripped down piece by piece upon arrival at MCLB Barstow, and rigorously inspected, cleaned and repaired according to each system's needs.
Damage such as broken welds, seized bearings and broken pieces are just a fraction of the problems employees face when refurbishing the M198s.
The problems for the cannons begin in "the field." Carefully constructed aluminum frames begin to crystallize, weakening welds. If gussets and brackets are damaged beyond repair of their original design, workers from CWC 729 assess the situation and may possibly fabricate custom parts for each piece, said Van Dyke as he pointed out a broken support gusset on one of MCLB Barstow's many artillery pieces temporarily stationed in a "to be repaired" lot.
"They take a beating," said Van Dyke, adding that every day around the world the cannons are pushed to their physical limits during live-fire training and real world combat missions.
He also pointed out the wear and tear equipment burdens in field transit.
"These cannons are being pulled by 7-ton trucks. The drivers don't even feel them bouncing around," quipped Van Dyke. He leveled his palm to his waist and exclaimed, "I've seen (M198 Howitzers) bounce this high!"
Weather can also take its toll on the weapons. Van Dyke pointed out several bearings, joints and swing-arms on the artillery that are oftentimes damaged by failure to clean them properly.
Sand blown into unsealed bearings can cause them to freeze or "seize up." Thus weapon malfunction is inevitable, and tactical movement of the weapon may be difficult or impossible.
Van Dyke said a lot of the pieces they receive have the grease pressure-washed out of them, which may also cause bearing malfunction.
"It's probably some young Marine trying to impress his gunnery sergeant by making the weapon absolutely spotless," said Van Dyke as he laughed.
The efforts of CWC 729 have made more than just an impact on Marines in combat zones.
Van Dyke estimates that the CWC can refurbish a weapon for close to 10 percent of the original purchase price of about $1.3 million, saving the Department of Defense countless dollars every fiscal year.
It is a highly specialized operation, said Van Dyke. The Rock Island Arsenal, located in Rock Island, Ill., and MCB are the only two facilities in the United States that accommodate M198 repair.
The lack of repair facilities can lead to an overwhelming workload for the few civilian Marines who work at CWC 729.
With the recent news of the base possibly hiring up to 250 employees, Van Dyke anticipates taking on as many as 22 new members to CWC 729.
"I've requested more people and already made my first possible selections," said Van Dyke.
Marine Sgt. Robert Sutton, artillery chief at MCAGCC Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., offered only praise when speaking of CWC 729.
"They can fix things that trained Marines don't know how to," said Sutton, adding that CWC 729 really knows their "stuff."
"They attend classes year-round, and what they learn has saved us a lot of time and trouble because they pass it on," said Sutton.
With the possible addition of new crew members and Maintenance Center Barstow's tradition of quality and production, CWC 729 can look forward to a future of continuing success, but not without giving credit to the invaluable civilian Marines who make it all possible.
Van Dyke smiled with confidence and pride as he said on a final note, "Every day, these guys work to bust. This work force strives to put out a quality product."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
