Airmen put refurbished gun truck on road to Maxwell

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes
  • Public Affairs
Hurlburt Field, Florida --  Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron recently completed a project they began in April. 

Meeting a deadline they set for themselves, the Airmen refurbished a gun truck from Tikrit, Iraq, that was decommissioned after it encountered an improvised explosive device. 

During a visit to the Enlisted Heritage Hall at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., the Airmen volunteered to refurbish the battle-broken truck so it could go on display. 

The Airmen added the duty of fixing the truck to their normal duty day. 

"It was a challenge maintaining our normal workload as well as spending time working on the truck," said Senior Master Sgt. Tommy Weaver, 1st SOLRS vehicle fleet manager. "More than 1,000 hours were put in by approximately 10 Airmen, but all feel it was a worthwhile project." 

Not only can the Airmen relish in the fact that their work will be in the museum for years to come, but they can be proud they saved the Air Force money. 

"These Airmen are extremely motivated ... their work is saving the Air Force more than $20,000," said Chief Master Sgt. Malcolm McVicar, director of the Enlisted Heritage Research Institute. 

The refurbished truck will be unveiled during the Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference at Maxwell where Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, will see the Airmen's work for the first time. 

During a recent unofficial unveiling with Chief Master Sgt. Gilbert, AFSOC command chief, at the vehicle maintenance compound, he coined the Airmen and thanked them for all their hard work and dedication. 

"Thank you for doing the mission and paying a personal price." Chief Gilbert said. "From the senior leadership to you, thank you, and from me to you personally, thank you for being the Airmen you are." 

(Editor's note: Senior Airman Andy Kin, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article.)