1963 US Army Vietnam War Armor Operations ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMwearer, operator, or crew of the a. Third-echelon maintenance is authorizedequipment. It consists of inspecting, by technical applications to be performed bycleaning, servicing, lubricating, re- specially trained units in direct support of uspairing,testing, and replacing parts ing organizations. Third-echelon is authorizedas prescribed by applicable technical a larger assortment of repair parts and subaspublicationsand parts lists.semblies, and more precise tools and test equip-(2) Second echelon. Second-echelon main- ment, than are authorized for lower echelons.tenance includes all elements of or- Third-echelon units repair assemblies and subganizationalmaintenance not pre- assemblies, and repair the overflow from thescribed as first-echelon, such as sched- lower echelons within limits of authorizeduled preventive maintenance, minor skills, tools, equipment, and repair parts. Theyadjustment, repair, tests, technical provide technical advice, mobile repair crews,assistance, supervision, and inspec- and repair parts supply to the lower echelons.tions. Second-echelon maintenance is b. Third-echelon maintenance is provided toperfomed by specially trained person- divisional armor units by the division maintenelin the using organization. Ap- nance battalion for all items, except cryptopropriatepublications authorize tools, graphic and medical items. Employment of therepair parts, supplies, test equipment, maintenance battalion is described in FM 9-30.and personnel to perform work be- Maintenance support for cryptographic andyond the capabilities and facilities of medical equipment is provided by the divisionthe first echelon. First-echelon per- signal and medical battalions.sonnel normally participate in second- c. Fourth-echelon maintenance is mainteechelonmaintenance echelon maintenance by performingnance performed by units organized as semitaskswithin their capability.fixed or permanent shops to serve lower-echelonb. Each company/troop of an armor unit has maintenance, usually for return of repaireda second-echelon maintenance capability. The items to supply channels. Although armorcompany/troop maintenance section is manned equipment goes to fourth-echelon maintenanceand equipped to perform maintenance and shops, armor units do not normally deal dievacuation.Maintenance and evacuation that rectly with fourth-echelon units.are beyond the capability of the company/troop are reported to the supporting mainte- 160. Recovery and Evacuation of Vehiclesnance elements.a. Commanders at all echelons are responsic.The battalion/squadron contains a main- ble for the prompt recovery and evacuation oftenance platoon that is responsible for backup damaged vehicles and their return to service.second-echelon maintenance performed in the When combat units are unable to recover discompany/troop.It is manned and equipped to abled vehicles, direct support maintenanceprovide recovery, maintenance, and evacuation units are requested to assist in recovery operasupportto the companies/troops. The mainte- tions.nance platoon is provided specialists and tools b. Axes of supply and evacuation and thetoto performpperformmaintenancemaintenancetoverover andandaboveabove thatthat location of maintenance collecting points areof company/troop maintenance sections. Main- detenance and evacuation that are beyond the-scope or capability of the maintenance platoon troop maintenance sections and battalion/are reported up to the supporting maintenance squadron maintenance platoons recover diselements.abled vehicles from the battlefield and movethem to the axis of supply and evacuation or to159. Field Maintenance maintenance collecting points designated byField maintenance is maintenance performed the next higher echelon of maintenance. Divibydesignated maintenance units in direct sup- sion maintenance units assume responsibilityport of other units. It incorporates third and at these locations and repair and return thefourth echelons of maintenance.vehicles to service. If the direct support unitAGO 9139A 77