Preparing deployed Protected Mobility Vehicles for return to Australia

A small team of Australian Army Vehicle Mechanics and Technicians deployed on Operation Accordion in the Middle East Region performed the arduous task of thoroughly cleansing Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) for their return to Australia via sea freight.

CAPTION: Australian Army Vehicle Mechanic Lance Corporal Timothy Pates in front of a protective mobility vehicle prepared for deep clean at Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

Operating in the Joint Task Force 633 Workshop, the team of junior specialists learnt valuable new skills to take back home.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Alexander Fay the Artificer Sergeant Major oversees the sea and technical preparation for return of equipment to Australia.

The work to get vehicles ready involves stripping out most of the equipment and major parts to allow access to as much of the insides and outsides for cleaning.

The whole vehicle is hollowed out ready to get in all the nooks and crannies to get the dirt out said Vehicle Mechanic Corporal Josiah Palombini.

It takes about six hours going over and over the vehicle with the pressure washer to get as much dirt and grease off as we can, he said.

Vehicle Mechanic Lance Corporal Timothy Pates said the total cleaning takes place over 6 days removing ten years worth of dirt, grime and dust.

The inside is actually white, I didn’t know that, he said.

.

.


.


.


.