Soldiers save big money with skill Published March 31, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Jason Epperson 3rd MEB PAO JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Few things are more important to a unit's readiness than vehicle care and maintenance. In Alaska, with its extreme sub-arctic temperatures, maintenance is particularly important, as well as challenging. Two mechanics from Forward Support Company, 6th Engineer Battalion (Airborne), recently conducted repairs of an engine with a Class III leak that saved the Army thousands of dollars. The repairs were anything but routine, according to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brendan W. Kallenbach, the senior automotive technician in the Forward Support Company. "The procedures performed by our two mechanics were not codified in existing Army technical manuals. Our mechanics disassembled the entire upper engine to pinpoint the exact origins of the Class III leak without the guide of a technical manual to provide step by step instructions," Kallenbach said. Mechanics in the motor pool had discovered four vehicles with the Class III leaks, which the Army defines as "seepage of fluid great enough to form drops and drip during inspection." This deficiency deadlines a vehicle, making it non-mission capable. Mechanics weighed the options of buying a new engine for almost $25,000 or spending around $1,700 in replacement parts to fix the engine leaks. The decision was ultimately made to attempt to fix the Class III engine leaks, rather than replace the engines. Spc. Adam Powell and Spc. James Johnson, both light wheel mechanics were immediately identified out of more than 34 mechanics in the battalion as the best mechanics for the job. "My two guys, Powell and Johnson, they got picked for the job," their supervisor, Sgt. 1st Class Jerome A., Shackelford, said. "Basically, Powell is one of the No. 1 mechanics we have and he got picked for an inspector slot, which is usually reserved for a staff sergeant," Shackelford said. "Johnson came in because he's another one of our top mechanics. This is a no-fail mission and we know that they won't fail the mission." Powell was a mechanic who worked with Caterpillar Inc. before he joined the Army. He joined the National Guard in 2005 and then went active duty in January 2009. "I wanted to do something meaningful with my life," Powell said. After he joined the Army, his supervisors were impressed with Powell's job performance and quickly realized his potential and talent. Johnson, a Channelview, Texas, native, was also recognized for his exceptional skills. Powell and Johnson performed a complete replacement of one engine's head gasket, oil pan gasket, front main seal, and O-ring on the fuel pump. The mechanics are working on their second engine and have two more to go. The jobs take between five and seven duty days to complete, due to the intricate parts and assembly. After all four engines are repaired, the Army will have saved close to $100,000. Johnson and Powell were both recommended for the Army Achievement Medal for their exceptional performance. (Editor's note: Capt. James S. Kwoun, 6th Engineer Battalion, contributed to this story.)