DCMA AND GDLS SUPPORTING OIF
Fred Nelson with the DCMA sent the following article, which describes the efforts of DCMA and GDLS employees to supply the Stryker Brigade with the equipment they need in theater. Thank you.
Submitted by: Terry Baggs, DCMA-Detroit BCT-IAV
We see them everyday, those yellow ribbons that say Support Our Troops. Most people put them on their cars and that is the extent of their actions. There is one group of people however who recently put their words into action.
Around 4:00pm on December 28, 2004 the call came from Stryker Program Office that Iraq needed the balance of the Mortar Carrier, Infantry Carrier, and Commander’s Vehicle Slat Armor Kits in storage at Joint Systems Manufacturing Center-Lima.
Calls went out to both Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and General Dynamics Land System, (GDLS) employees, most of who were off either on Christmas break or vacation. The GDLS-Joint Systems Manufacturing Center Slat Armor Coordinator enlisted the help of the GDLS employees while the DCMA Detroit Stryker Production Lead coordinated the Government employees. Everyone who was called responded without hesitation, even though it meant leaving their families during the holidays.
The group came in the next day and was greeted with 18 inches of snow that had to be cleared before the kits could be moved inside. Once the snow was cleared the kits were moved inside to be prepared for shipment. One kit had to be reassembled because it had been previously used for a vehicle trial fit. Even the trucking company gave an extraordinary response by arriving the same day and committing to have the kits at Ft. Lewis, Washington within 4 days.
This experience illustrated the true meaning of Teaming. Both contractor and government employees worked together to support, not only the customer, but most importantly our soldiers serving in Operation Iraqi freedom.
To show his appreciation, Col. Peter Fuller, Stryker Project Manager, US Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command, (TACOM) came to Joint Systems Manufacturing Center-Lima to personally thank those employees who went above and beyond the call of duty. The Government and our country owe these employees a huge thank you for a job well done.
Terry Baggs, Jim Munson, Keith Deters, LTC Damon Walsh, Ron Osting, Kevin Kuhlman, Jerry Ricker, Carl Carless, Don Livingston, COL Peter Fuller, John Rhoads, Wanda Jackson, Doug Sodders, Paul Gherian, Max Trisel, Gene Miller , Mark Niese. Not pictured Marilyn Klaus and Dave Boroff.
(Photo courtesy of GDLS)
