Military

Reconstitution site keeps machines in fight

March 30, 2006

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (Army News Service, March 30, 2006) – Like Soldiers needing rest and recuperation from battle fatigue, military equipment also needs a little R&R to be effective before returning to the fight.

To better support the high demand for equipment readiness, the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) partnered with the U.S. Army Reserve Command to implement the USACAPOC (A) Reconstitution Site – an equipment reconstitution facility covering more than 5,000 square feet at Fort Bragg, N.C.

The RS opened for business last October, and a mission support team has been responsible for reconditioning vehicles, taking accountability for sensitive items, and coordinating for the recalibration of both weapons and radios with other installation agencies.

"Our 10-person MST aides the command in reversing the impact of combat stress on our equipment before the pieces are fielded with the next deployable rotation of forces,” said Col. Darline Deleston, USACAPOC (A) G-4.”

Part of the success of the MST is derived from three main missions – maintenance, supply and transportation, according to Maj. Terry Wescott, MST officer in charge at the site.

“Our team can do a wide variety of things like replacing Humvee windshields, batteries, tires and CV joints,” said Wescott. “They are also responsible for ordering, cataloging and maintaining replacement parts listed on the prescribed load list.”

Resetting the machines

Because of higher operational tempo, rough desert environments and limited maintenance available in theatre, operational fleets are aging four years for every one year in theatre. To maintain their operational effectiveness and be prepared to deploy when needed, units must ensure their equipment is returned to optimal condition, or “reset” after they re-deploy from a combat stability operation.

The Army term ‘RESET’ is a generic term that represents a series of actions taken to restore units to a desired level of combat capability commensurate with mission requirements and available resources.

“In the case of USACAPOC (A), RESET vehicles are refurbished at an assigned Army depot, and the same model is returned to USACAPOC (A), one-for-one,” said Wescott. “The base model remains the same, but the serial number may change.”

“We’ve been doing this for three years,” said Sgt. Roger Adkins, shop foreman. “Our team bonds well, and you can see it in our finished products. Whether the equipment is going back to the unit or down range, we know it’s in good condition and will meet the mark for the Soldiers training or fighting.”

Mission readiness

The attack on 9/11 prompted the largest mobilization of Reserve CA and PSYOP forces in the command’s history. As a result, more than 12,000 personnel and equal numbers of equipment have mobilized in support of operations to Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.

“CA and PSYOP Soldiers are on point for the Global War on Terrorism,” said Army Reserve Chief Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly. “They should be ensured they have all the equipment they need to get the mission done right.”

Since the first deployment to OIF in early 2003, the MST has processed and returned 88 vehicles. Four hundred vehicles are scheduled to be returned across the command for fiscal year 2006, added to Wescott. Ten generators also currently await processing.

“The MST has reconstituted over 964 pieces of redeployed rolling stock and 10,607 pieces of non-rolling stock – largely from operations in the Middle East, while occasional equipment flows in from missions remaining in Kosovo and Bosnia,” added Wescott. “There are 760 pieces of non-rolling stock currently being processed.”

“Knowing what I do here as an inventory specialist is helping our troops down range be more effective,” said Spc. Katherine Rose, a light wheel mechanic and co-maintainer of the tool room. “That makes me feel like I am doing my job to support them for the fight.”

“This facility is what helps put our Soldiers in the field,” said Maj. Gen. Herbert L. Altshuler, USACAPOC (A) commanding general. "Our reconstitution site is far more than a storage site.”

(Editor’s note: This story contributed by Paul Prince and Tina M. Beller, U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office.)