Missouri Guard Field Maintenance Shop recognized

Soldiers of the Missouri National Guard's Field Maintenance Shop in Cape Girardeau.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Missouri National Guard's Field Maintenance Shop in Cape Girardeau recently won second place in the National Guard Bureau Army Award for Maintenance Excellence competition.

The Army Award for Maintenance Excellence is a prestigious award highly sought after by Army units and maintenance shops across the country. Awards are given in three categories: small, medium and large.

To be nominated takes a lot of organization and determination. Each shop must submit an extensive nomination packet.

"We had to write about everything we do," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kenneth Heise, the shop's mechanic supervisor. "How we complete our maintenance missions, what we do for the community, how we support our Soldiers, the training we complete, even how we uphold and exceed the environmental standards. It's a very tedious process."

The shop provides field maintenance and equipment support for five units in southeast Missouri.

The 11 Soldiers who work in the shop aren't your typical mechanics. They work on numerous types of military police and engineer vehicles, from routine services like oil changes and body work, to major repairs such as fixing or replacing transmissions or engines. They also process night vision equipment and install communications equipment such as military radios and computer tracking systems. In addition, they'll often work with other shops and units throughout the state on specific missions.

They know how to fix anything that may come in, and fix it fast.

In 2010, the shop completed 154 routine services, installed 13 radio and computer tracking systems, and completed 185 repairs and inspections.

Their hard work and diligence have paid off. Every month their units' equipment was nearly 100 percent ready for operation. This is critical if a unit is deployed overseas or for a state emergency duty.

The Soldiers also take a lot a pride in dedicating time to the Cape Girardeau community. They invite students to job shadow, giving them an opportunity to see what it's like to work in a military maintenance shop. They also offer their services to the local police and fire departments when they receive old military equipment, such as generators.

The National Guard Bureau reviewed the shop's accomplishments and the shop won second place in the small category.

Although they won't continue in the competition to the Department of the Army level, the Soldiers are still honored by the recognition.

"It feels good that you're considered one of the top in the nation," said Heise. "It comes down to doing the job and doing it right. We aren't the greatest or biggest shop, but we can accomplish the mission that needs to be done."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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