Paktya Province, Afghanistan – Soldiers assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), work around the clock to have vehicles and equipment in working order for ongoing missions at Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, January 24th.
The mechanics work tirelessly to repair or replace vehicles and equipment that have been damaged due to combat, terrain or accidents. They also use their vehicle recovery trucks to go out to troops who need assistance.
The advanced knowledge the mechanics have on tactical vehicles and equipment ensure troops can rely on them to have properly maintained equipment for their missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Photo Gallery
![A Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \"Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), checks and refills air into a tactical vehicle on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. The vehicle recovery team may be called out at a moment’s notice and vehicle readiness is a major requirement. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/gallery/gardez-mechanics/mechanics-1.jpg "A Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \\"Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), checks and refills air into a tactical vehicle on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. The vehicle recovery team may be called out at a moment’s notice and vehicle readiness is a major requirement. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)")
![Spc. Annson Sanders and Spc. Jesseray Leonguerro, both assigned to 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \"Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), work together to remove heavy duty steel mounting brackets on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. A high torque drill is used in order to separate parts. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/gallery/gardez-mechanics/mechanics-2.jpg "Spc. Annson Sanders and Spc. Jesseray Leonguerro, both assigned to 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \\"Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), work together to remove heavy duty steel mounting brackets on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. A high torque drill is used in order to separate parts. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)")
![Soldiers assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \"Rakkasans,”\' 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), work to move a collapsible bridge system in preparation for transport on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. The bridge system may be requested at any time and Soldiers are required to have it mission ready at a moment’s notice. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/gallery/gardez-mechanics/mechanics-3.jpg "Soldiers assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \\"Rakkasans,”\' 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), work to move a collapsible bridge system in preparation for transport on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. The bridge system may be requested at any time and Soldiers are required to have it mission ready at a moment’s notice. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)")
![Soldiers assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \"Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), work to move a collapsible bridge system in preparation for transport on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. The bridge system may be requested at any time and Soldiers are required to have it mission ready at a moment’s notice. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/gallery/gardez-mechanics/mechanics-4.jpg "Soldiers assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \\"Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), work to move a collapsible bridge system in preparation for transport on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. The bridge system may be requested at any time and Soldiers are required to have it mission ready at a moment’s notice. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)")
![Soldiers assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \"Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), work to move a collapsible bridge system in preparation for transport on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. The bridge system may be requested at any time andSoldiers are required to have it mission ready at a moment’s notice. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/gallery/gardez-mechanics/mechanics-5.jpg "Soldiers assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \\"Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), work to move a collapsible bridge system in preparation for transport on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. The bridge system may be requested at any time andSoldiers are required to have it mission ready at a moment’s notice. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)")
![Soldiers assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \"Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), work to move a collapsible bridge system in preparation for transport on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. The bridge system may be requested at any time and Soldiers are required to have it mission ready at a moment’s notice. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/wp-content/gallery/gardez-mechanics/mechanics-6.jpg "Soldiers assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team \\"Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), work to move a collapsible bridge system in preparation for transport on Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. The bridge system may be requested at any time and Soldiers are required to have it mission ready at a moment’s notice. (Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton/U.S. Army)")
