“Lifeliners” validates “Rakkasans” weapons

Maintenance company ensures 3rd BCT’s weapons are functional for upcoming deployment

By Private 1st Class Shawn Denham
101st Sustainment Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. October 28 – Inspecting a disassembled M-249, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph W. Allen identifies a malfunction. He exposes the worn retaining spring by removing the gas cylinder assembly, and replaces it with a new spring.
“Springs are a main problem, nothing serious,” said Allen, non-commissioned officer in charge, 584th Maintenance Command Armament, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st. Airborne Division.
The unit assisted the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade “Rakkasans” Infantry Brigade Combat Team in validating and repairing their machine gun weapons systems as they prepare for an upcoming deployment in January 2010.
The week-long validation process includes testing M-249s, M-240s and the M-2 Browning heavy machine guns assigned to the 3rd BCT.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Andrew L. Johnson, the senior armament systems technician, 101st Sustainment Brigade, SPO Maintenance Branch, said each battalion has a day to validate their weapons systems.
The intent was to ensure the weapons were fully functional and flawless in performance, he said.
Johnson said this type of validation process was new to the unit. “The first time I did this was at Fort Bragg,” he said. “I’m the only person who’s done this before. Everyone else is new.”
Staff Sgt. Samuel C. Hookfin, the armament non-commissioned officer with the SPO Maintenance Branch, said the validation process was successful. “So far it’s going fine, one or two minor hiccups. Other than that, it’s good to go,” he said.
Hookfin’s job was handling parts requests, ensuring all weapons receive any necessary replacement hardware.
“I get my hands dirty every now and then,” Hoofkin said.
“Rakkasan” Soldiers, however, were the best gauge of the validation process.
“It’s fun being able to do stuff like this,” said Pvt. Donald J Lewis, Combat Medic with the 3rd BCT, “it’s my first time since basic training actually firing a live round.”