732nd ESFS

Air Force Staff Sgt. Juan Hurtado (right), 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, maintenance technician, oversees Staff Sgt. Jason Evans, while he manually removes a lug nut on an Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle tire, Camp Stryker, Iraq, March 25, 2010. There is always a qualified vehicle maintainer watching to make sure everything is done correctly. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Trish Bunting/Released)

732nd ESFS

Air Force Senior Airman Juan Barnes, 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, checks under his 1151 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle for any potential mechanical problems, Camp Stryker, Iraq, March 25, 2010. During each inspection, the “Reapers” go through a checklist that includes lubing all grease joints, and checking for vehicle fluid leaks. There is always a qualified vehicle maintainer to assist and ensure everything is done correctly. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Trish Bunting/Released)

732nd ESFS

Air Force Staff Sgt. Juan Hurtado (right), 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron maintenance technician, shows Senior Airman Richard Flores how to fix a common maintenance issue on an Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle hatch, Camp Stryker, Iraq, March 25, 2010. Before each inspection, the “Reapers” go through a checklist that includes checking the oil, tire pressure and searching for leaks. There is always a qualified vehicle maintainer watching to make sure everything is done correctly. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Trish Bunting/Released)

732nd ESFS

Air Force Staff Sgt. Juan Hurtado (left), 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron maintenance technician, Senior Airmen Jordan Purdue (center) and Zachery Patton discuss the proper tire changing procedures for a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, Camp Stryker, Iraq, March 25, 2010. Before each inspection, the “Reapers” go through a checklist that includes checking the oil, tire pressure and searching for leaks. There is always a qualified vehicle maintainer watching to make sure everything is done correctly. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Trish Bunting/Released)

The “Reapers” maintain combat vehicles

Published April 5, 2010
By Senior Airman Jarrod Chavana
ACCE Public Affairs

BAGHDAD -- When the "Reapers" convoy out to conduct Police Transition Team missions, they transit dangerous combat areas. Their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and 1151 Humvee's are their mode of transportation to and from 20 local police stations covering an operating environment of 1,117 square kilometers. Worrying if their vehicles are going to operate properly during a mission should be the last thing on their minds.

The 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Detachment 2, also known as the "Reapers," depend heavily on their tactical vehicles to protect them from the perils of combat.

"Everything we do for our missions revolve around our vehicles," said Staff Sgt. Jason Evans, 732nd ESFS Det 2 squad leader, deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. "Our missions vary and without our vehicles we couldn't do them; so they are a huge part of what we do."

The MRAPs are designed to survive blasts from improvised explosive devices and small arms fire, which contributes to the high demand for this vehicle that has life-saving protection.

The Reapers have five embedded vehicle maintainers to assist with the inspections and monitor weekly maintenance as well as take care of major maintenance and repair issues.

"Each fire team is responsible for their vehicle and it takes about 30 minutes to an hour to get everything checked," said Senior Airman Jonathan Warnock, 732 ESFS Det 2 Truck Commander.

Before each inspection, the "Reapers" go through a vehicle inspection checklist. Most Security Forces personnel are not mechanics, so the qualified vehicle maintainers stand ready to assist if there are issues that need to be immediately addressed.

"We teach them how to do all the operator maintenance checks," said Staff Sgt. Richard Smith, 732 ESFS Det 2 Vehicle Maintainer, deployed from McConnell AFB, KS. "The trucks are worked hard and if they didn't have these inspections they would get run down because small problems can quickly become big problems."

During an inspection on March 23, a four inch piece of metal was discovered in the rear truck commander side tier of an MRAP. Because an MRAP weighs more than 20 tons, the Airman had to use a hydraulic jack to lift the rear axle. What should have taken only 30 minutes took nearly an hour because one of the studs was stripped.

"If a vehicle goes down while on a mission, we have procedures in place to get the vehicle and Airmen out of the area," said Airman Warnock, deployed from Dyess AFB, TX. "The more time we sit idle the longer we are exposed to a possible attack. For the safety of our team, it is important that these vehicles run correctly before we go outside the wire."

Being a Security Forces Airman and performing operator maintenance may be a nuisance for some but for this detachment it is possibly a lifesaving procedure.