Illinois National Guard supports maintenance in Germany

By Army Staff Sgt. Kassidy Snyder
Illinois National Guard

Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard Crawford, a mechanic with the Illinois National Guard's Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion, grinds a piece of metal for a company project, Feb. 11, 2011, in Hohenfels, Germany. Crawford is one of 50 Soldiers completing a three-week annual training mission in Germany. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kassidy Snyder) (Released)
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HOHENFELS, Germany (2/25/11) -- About 50 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers conducted a three-week overseas deployment training mission here, Feb. 5 to 26.

The Soldiers primarily worked with local German mechanics and active duty Soldiers at the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment motor park and the consolidated maintenance activity.

"It is good to have the extra help," said Christian Lang, a civilian German mechanic. "It is nice to work together and meet new people."

The Illinois Guardmembers from Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion, provided maintenance support to on-post vehicles, including Humvees, fuel trucks, tractor-trailers, five-ton trucks, armored personnel carriers and tractors. They also worked on trailers, stompers and scrapers, among other equipment.

About 3,000 maintenance work orders are processed each year here, said Army Sgt. 1st Class Dennis Mills, Jr., the noncommissioned officer in charge of the consolidated maintenance activity. Company B completed more than 125 work orders.

Throughout the course of a year, there are about 10 units ranging from military police companies to engineers that conduct annual training here, Mills said. This is Company B, 634th BSB's third mission to Hohenfels.

"These missions are essential for a high state of readiness and will keep us relevant for future deployments," said Army 1st Sgt. Joseph Briggs, the readiness NCOIC.

Company B completed a deployment of 87 Soldiers to Afghanistan from December 2008 to September 2009 with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

While deployed, the National Guard Bureau recognized the company with the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence. The award was given for displaying superior expertise and professionalism.

Because of the high level of performance, Soldiers were rewarded with visits to many historic sites in Munich, Rothenburg and Neuschwanstein and also enjoyed a taste of authentic German food.

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