Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas -- Laughlin Air Force Base is no stranger to deploying personnel. But in mid-March, a 30-year-old P-19r firetruck unexpectedly appeared on a deployment capability list.
In 2014, a Laughlin P-19r found its way onto the disposal roster, where it was set to be decommissioned. But prior to the decommission date, members of the United States Africa Command realized this truck could be an asset to supporting the mission.
Soon afterward, Laughlin received a tasking to supply a mission capable P-19r.
By pulling parts from another truck on the decommission list, the 47th Logistics Readiness Flight was able to combine two trucks together in order to have a mission capable, deployment-ready, P-19r.
“We recognized the capabilities this truck possessed,” said Glenn Watkins, 47th LRF Transportation manager. “The team quickly got to work by performing the necessary maintenance needed to make this 30-year-old truck deployment ready.”
Preparing the P-19r for deployment involved replacing all filters and fluids, inspecting the integrity of all belts and components, as well as performing a full safety inspection of the vehicle and equipment.
"As contractors, we continually strive to be good stewards of tax payers’ dollars, but we don't often get to realize how our efforts contribute into the mission,” said Watkins. “This tasking showed the team first-hand how our efforts help support a real-world Air Force contingency."
The finished P-19r has gone from one side of the world to the other, as it is performing at an undisclosed location to support the construction of a new air base.
The hard work and time put forth by various members of Team XL led to an Air Force savings of roughly $514,000, and another key asset for those to use in the deployed environment.