MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- Maintenance Center Barstow will repair and install armor on 27 M931, 5-ton tractors, before they return to Iraq.
Of the new vehicles, 15 have a Repair Cycle Time of 90 days, said Ben Santos, project manager. Twelve of the vehicles are "expedites," or are required to be done early to return to Iraq. These vehicles have a RCT of 60 days.
"We are installing the armor because we don't know if they have the capabilities to install it in Iraq," said Santos. "It is not a hard install. It takes roughly 15 minutes. It also saves the Marine Corps time and money."
Santos' production shop manager, Jose Rivera, agreed with him saying, "It is easier to do it here. We have all these resources and there is not a whole lot to it. Instead of fixing the truck and sending it to Iraq, where Marines have to use their time to do it, it is easier for us to install it here."
Apart from up-armoring the vehicles, many other repairs have had to be made to the vehicles, said Santos. "The trucks were condition F when they were brought in. Meaning they were serviceable, but not usable. Some have already been brought up to condition B, which means they are ready and able to be issued."
A lot happens to the vehicles in their 60-90 days at MCB. According to Rivera, each vehicle is on an inspect and repair only as necessary status. The vehicles are completely disassembled and thoroughly tested to verify the operation of every aspect of the vehicle. After this stage, they are tested on a dynamometer, the brakes, drivelines and electrical systems are replaced and they are ready for armor.
"Most of the workers on this line have never worked on these vehicles before," said Rivera, "but they are getting better with each vehicle. Each one is a little faster. They are working miracles out here."
The first tractors will be rolling off the lot within the next week, said Santos. "Right now, we have 19 tractors in house and eight more to bring in. The line is running great and all the workers are doing very well. Most of them might not have worked on these vehicles or on any Marine Corps equipment for that matter, but they pick up quick and they want to learn and work."