MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- With what normally would be considered a piece of scrap metal or just another casualty in the ongoing war effort, the MK-48 Logistics Vehicle Systems currently being repaired at MCLB Barstow are just another project for a dedicated shop.
The MK-48 line is experiencing a new type of work. Due to the extensive damage, the employees on the line have to completely rebuild the vehicle from the ground up, said Don Crownover, supervisor Cost Work Center 714. Equipment needing repair came to MCB with wheels missing, axels broken, pieces missing in action, and no brakes.
This is a heavy tactical vehicle unit consisting of the front cab, or power unit, and interchangeable rear body components. MK-48 refers specifically to the front unit. The vehicle is the military version of a semi-truck. The truck is highly maneuverable and is capable of makeing sharp turns due to the hydraulics in the steering.
When being repaired, the trucks are taken apart completely. Some parts are completely replaced because it is cheaper than repairing that part, said Crownover. Whatever can be fixed stays; anything that is demolished is replaced and recycled.
After the repairs have been made, new war paint is applied and it is off to the road test for final evaluations before the vehicle is deemed fleet ready.
The road test consists of a sand and rock portion to check the all-wheel drive, an oval track for the alignment and speed, a brake test to check the emergency brakes and a hill test in which the brakes are tested again. The road test is also done with a full load on the back, which is 25,000 pounds on top of a trailer the vehicle has to pull.
"It's a strange truck to drive. It's not like any other vehicle," said Crownover.
The damage to the vehicle and the fact that they are going to repair them is unusual. Repairs are not usually made to vehicles this badly damaged. However, there is nothing normal about the end of the MK-48 line this year, said Crownover.
"We will build anything for [the Fleet Marine Force], we don't care," said Crownover about the extensive damage.
In fiscal year 2004, 112 MK-48's were brought to MCB for repairs. For fiscal year 2006, there are only 58 scheduled to come in, said Crownover. However, this year, 114 of the vehicles were brought in.
"On average it takes 70 days to rebuild [an MK-48], but we can do it in about 40 days," said Crownover.
He also went on to say that it would not take them any longer to repair them due to the extent of the damage.
The Marine Corps is the only branch that still uses the vehicle because the truck is going to be phased out soon, said Crownover.
The shop that does the repairs on this vehicle consists of 53 employees. It is those employees who are given a wreck, and turn it into a truck ready to be driven anywhere in the world.
The vehicle's strong build and versatility make it a perfect fit for the Marine Corps.
That is why the engineers working on the vehicle take pride in the work, no matter how much damage there is.