Story and photos by Sgt. Dale Elliott, Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
NOTE: Each week kentuckyguard.com publishes stories by or about Kentucky National Guard unit public affairs historian representatives, also known as UPAHRs. This is an additional duty taken on by a Soldier or Airmen with the intent of telling their unit’s story. This is one such story ….
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Spc. Johnna Bratcher and members of the 307th Component Repair Company watch as Spc. James Cabell demonstrates soldering techniques during their annual training at the National Maintenance Training Center (NMTC) in Camp Dodge, Iowa, May 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Dale Elliott)
CAMP DODGE, Iowa -- Sacrificing being with their families on Mother’s Day, the 307th Component Repair Company held high standards at this years annual training. For five years now the Central City, Ky., based unit has attended the National Maintenance Training Center (NMTC) in Camp Dodge, Iowa. The 307th's trip west was quite different from years past as the unit is transitioning from a component repair mission to a sustainment maintenance level mission.
A sustainment mission is less technical and the 307th has already been performing the vast majority of this new work, according to unit commander 1st. Lt. Timothy Lee.
"The transition will be an easy switch for the 307th," said Lee. "The unit is ready to hit the ground running on its new mission. I feel that we will make a complete and smooth transition and be fully ready to exercise our competence and skills at a deployable level."
This year the 307th validated on food service operations, maintenance control operations, automotive on system component maintenance, ground support equipment maintenance, allied trades fabrication operations, water purification maintenance, supply supporting activity, shop supply operations, and tool room operations. Other training that was accomplished and validated while at Camp Dodge included the following: VSAT training (Tactical Satellite), refrigeration certification by the EPA, engine dynometer training, and SAMS-1E training. This year’s training was a truly collective unit level exercise.
While at the exercise the ground support equipment platoon brought a 60KW generator into full operation, a job that should have taken 40hrs took only 12hrs. Three other rotations had failed to repair this particular job. Cadre of the National Maintenance Training commented that the 307
th always performs above all expectations.
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Col. John Edwards Jr is given a briefing about soldering copper by Sgt. Steven Stephens and Spc. James Cabell, both of the 307th Component Repair Company, during the unit’s annual training in Camp Dodge, Iowa, May, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Dale Elliott)
The 307th also performed many unit level classes that will increase the level of professionalism and knowledge both on and off duty. Unit level classes included the following: financial management, leadership and management interactive training, leadership and mentoring, training management (Whole concept – mission essential task list to individual Soldier concept), awards writing, supply CSDP, and safety composite risk management. The training the 307th received from both unit level training and the NMTC staff was beyond state of the art.
“I do not think we could receive better training anywhere else in the Army System for this units mission,” said Lee. "Camp Dodge has provided the 307th with an excellent bridge to the future."
The 307th also welcomed Spc. David Collins’ son, Clay Love, as the newest member of the 307th family. Collins was sent home on May 12, to witness the birth of his son.