news

the unit departing the area of responsibility did not adequately maintain BFVs, turned in non-mission capable BFVs, and improperly reported the condition of the BFVs turned in as fully mission capable ... At the time of turn-in, according to the Global Combat Support System–Army (GCSS-Army) data, the 2/1 CD reported that 96 (82 percent) of 117 BFVs were fully mission capable. However, when the 2/1 CD turned in the BFVs, the 2/1 CD and contractor personnel performed a joint technical inspection and determined that none of the 117 BFVs were fully mission capable. For example, the joint technical inspection identified 36 faults on one of the BFVs that the 2/1 CD reported was fully mission capable in the GCSS-Army. These faults rendered the BFV inoperable. ... BR and TLSC-E personnel were unable to repair any of the BFVs to the Army’s maintenance standard in time for issuance to the next inbound unit in the third quarter of FY 2024 ... Because the Army was unable to meet the deadline for issuing the BFVs to the inbound unit, the Army issued 97 BFVs from the APS-2 equipment set. The Army directed KBR to stop work on the BFVs and to transfer 57 BFVs to TLSC-E and 50 BFVs to AFSBn-Germany to repair the 117 BFVs to the Army’s maintenance standard by February 2025.7 However, TLSC-E and AFSBn-Germany were unable to meet the February 2025 requirement.

who knows how much other US equipment has been turned it with the official documents saying it's totally fine, when it reality it's barely functional

this is a unit in Europe too, which one would expect to be among the highest-priority deployments in order to deter Russia

The 2/1 CD lacked the personnel and capabilities to repair the BFVs to the Army’s maintenance standard during turn-in. In addition, the 2/1 CD improperly reported the condition of the BFVs turned in during its deployment. Specifically, the Army issued conflicting guidance on defining fully mission capable status which led the 2/1 CD to improperly report the condition of the BFVs.

Personnel from the 405th AFSB and KBR stated that the incorrect readiness status of the BFVs provided a false readiness level in the GCSS-Army and gave the impression that the BFVs would not need extensive repairs. Therefore, the Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, should revise applicable Army regulations to consistently define operational readiness statuses.

Furthermore, KBR personnel accepted mechanic applicants without BFV platform expertise, which resulted in the workforce not having the proper skillset to repair the BFVs

The Army lacked the capacity and capabilities to repair the 117 BFVs. Specifically, the AFSBn-Germany did not have the capacity in September 2023 to perform maintenance on the 117 BFVs because of competing priorities at the time of the turn-in from the 2/1 CD. Although the AFSBn-Germany had contractor BFV mechanics in USAREUR-AF, the mechanics had to fulfill other mission needs, such as a Presidential Draw Down Authority supporting Ukraine and issuing APS-2 equipment to support rotational mission requirements. Therefore, USAREUR-AF could not repair the 117 BFVs when the 2/1 CD turned in the BFVs.

Although the 21st TSC Commander took initiative to identify the need for the capability in-theater, personnel from the 21st TSC could not repair the BFVs to meet mission deadlines and were unable to provide the number of BFV or tracked vehicle mechanics needed to fulfil the USAREUR-AF missions. Specifically, between November 30, 2023, and July 29, 2025, the TLSC-E repaired only 11 (16 percent) of the 67 BFVs to the Army’s maintenance standard. Therefore, the USAREUR-AF Commander should conduct a study to determine what in-theater BFV repair capabilities are needed to meet mission requirements, develop and implement a plan to address any capability gaps identified in the study to build and sustain capabilities for in-theater BFV repairs to meet mission requirements and support operational readiness.