Operation Armor-Up: Waste equipment welder armors military vehicles in Iraq
From WasteNews.com, a good story on what welders can do.
Mike Davis learned about welding at waste-equipment maker Al-jon Co. and effectively applied the skill during service with his Iowa National Guard unit in Iraq.
Upon arrival in the embattled country, Davis immediately volunteered his services to apply more protective armor and retrofit military Humvees.
He and others worked with their company Bravo´s maintenance division in welding stronger front bumpers and sides on 16 vehicles in an around-the-clock effort Jan. 24-26.
In regular duties, the sergeant´s route clearance team looks for improvised explosive devices and provides avenues for convoys of military operational, civilian contractor and Iraqi security vehicles. He is leader for a four-person team, vehicle commander and communications expert for the company´s 2nd Platoon.
Davis, 28, was awarded the Army achievement medal for "great effort and selfless service to the organization" from Jan. 24 to March 28, Capt. Doug Post, commander of company Bravo in the 224th Engineer Battalion, said in a statement. "Sgt. Davis´ skill as a welder proved to be very valuable," Post said. "We were given a very dangerous job to do and not the best of equipment to do it with."
Davis joined the National Guard in 1999. The battalion in Ottumwa, Iowa, was activated in October 2004 and arrived in Iraq in January.
His civilian experience made a difference. Davis joined Ottumwa-based Al-jon in 2000 without welding experience but following in the path of his father, Bob Davis, the company´s welding foreman.
"He didn´t have any skill or knowledge when Al-jon hired him," said Bob Davis, speaking about his son. "We gave him the chance, and he turned out to be one of my best welders. And I´m not just saying that because he is my son."
The younger man was appreciative. Those at Al-jon "took me under their wing and taught me how to weld and how to work with steel," Davis said in a news release. "I had little knowledge of working with steel when I was hired."
Davis is the only person among Al-jon´s 100 employees currently on active duty. Al-jon provided Davis with a global positioning system tracking device. "We all wanted to make sure he came back safe and whole," said Kendig Kneen, Al-jon president and CEO.
Fellow employees send packages of food, supplies, T-shirts and other items to Davis and regularly communicate with him via e-mail.
Al-jon makes car crushers, balers and landfill compactors for use the scrap, auto recycling and solid waste industries. Cutting and welding of structural steel are among the key processes.
Applying steel additions to Humvees in the field was a short-term solution. Later, U.S. factory-built Humvees arrived carrying more protective armor.
The same armoring goal applied: ward off roadside bombs designed to inflict damage on personnel and equipment.
In approaching the maintenance division, "I informed them that I work with steel and am a welder," Davis said.
"They found use of my services, and we went on from there" through what became known as Operation Up Armor, he said.
The volunteer time with maintenance did not alleviate other duties. The soldiers worked long hours in moving from Forward Operating Base Duke to Camp Ramadi and endured countless hours on the road securing the battalion, Post said.
Mike Davis learned about welding at waste-equipment maker Al-jon Co. and effectively applied the skill during service with his Iowa National Guard unit in Iraq.
Upon arrival in the embattled country, Davis immediately volunteered his services to apply more protective armor and retrofit military Humvees.
He and others worked with their company Bravo´s maintenance division in welding stronger front bumpers and sides on 16 vehicles in an around-the-clock effort Jan. 24-26.
In regular duties, the sergeant´s route clearance team looks for improvised explosive devices and provides avenues for convoys of military operational, civilian contractor and Iraqi security vehicles. He is leader for a four-person team, vehicle commander and communications expert for the company´s 2nd Platoon.
Davis, 28, was awarded the Army achievement medal for "great effort and selfless service to the organization" from Jan. 24 to March 28, Capt. Doug Post, commander of company Bravo in the 224th Engineer Battalion, said in a statement. "Sgt. Davis´ skill as a welder proved to be very valuable," Post said. "We were given a very dangerous job to do and not the best of equipment to do it with."
Davis joined the National Guard in 1999. The battalion in Ottumwa, Iowa, was activated in October 2004 and arrived in Iraq in January.
His civilian experience made a difference. Davis joined Ottumwa-based Al-jon in 2000 without welding experience but following in the path of his father, Bob Davis, the company´s welding foreman.
"He didn´t have any skill or knowledge when Al-jon hired him," said Bob Davis, speaking about his son. "We gave him the chance, and he turned out to be one of my best welders. And I´m not just saying that because he is my son."
The younger man was appreciative. Those at Al-jon "took me under their wing and taught me how to weld and how to work with steel," Davis said in a news release. "I had little knowledge of working with steel when I was hired."
Davis is the only person among Al-jon´s 100 employees currently on active duty. Al-jon provided Davis with a global positioning system tracking device. "We all wanted to make sure he came back safe and whole," said Kendig Kneen, Al-jon president and CEO.
Fellow employees send packages of food, supplies, T-shirts and other items to Davis and regularly communicate with him via e-mail.
Al-jon makes car crushers, balers and landfill compactors for use the scrap, auto recycling and solid waste industries. Cutting and welding of structural steel are among the key processes.
Applying steel additions to Humvees in the field was a short-term solution. Later, U.S. factory-built Humvees arrived carrying more protective armor.
The same armoring goal applied: ward off roadside bombs designed to inflict damage on personnel and equipment.
In approaching the maintenance division, "I informed them that I work with steel and am a welder," Davis said.
"They found use of my services, and we went on from there" through what became known as Operation Up Armor, he said.
The volunteer time with maintenance did not alleviate other duties. The soldiers worked long hours in moving from Forward Operating Base Duke to Camp Ramadi and endured countless hours on the road securing the battalion, Post said.
posted by Scott at 5:09 PM
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