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Somerset Welding Employees Return from Kuwait
From Left to Right: Mark Palguta, Dustin Pletcher, Duane Maust, Charlie Ohler Somerset, PA (February 20, 2009). Four certified welders from Somerset Welding & Steel returned this week from a month long contract assignment in Kuwait which is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf and enclosed by Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north and west. Working with a prime government contractor, Somerset Welding & Steel agreed to provide 4 of their employees to assist in the repair and modernization of the U.S. Army’s V-Hull Route Clearing (RCV) and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) war fighter vehicles. The work took place at a new 900,000-square foot refurbishing complex located in Kuwait City. Working 12 hour shifts every day, the young men welded and repaired vehicles thus eliminating the need to ship vehicles out of theater and minimizing the impact on the U.S. Army war fighters. According to the contractor’s field supervisor, the Somerset welders worked long hours under rather Spartan conditions and performed well. They were competent, professional and enthusiastic and accomplished a difficult and critical mission. Most importantly, the result of their work is engaged in combat route clearance and saving soldiers from harm. This was the first time in Kuwait for this team and when asked if they would return for another tour of duty, they all responded that it was a great experience and they would go back if the opportunity presented itself in the future. However, they were all happy to be home with Charlie Ohler explaining, that he hoped his wife, Sara, had remembered to record the Daytona 500. One of the other big sporting events they missed was the Super Bowl, having flown to Kuwait to start their mission just a couple of days prior to the game. Somerset Welding & Steel, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of dump bodies, trailers, specialty truck equipment and custom welding and fabrication services for industrial, government, and defense customers. In the past, the company has sent teams to Far East Asia and South America. It is a subsidiary of Riggs Industries and was founded in 1958. The company currently operates J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers, Lincoln Supply & Equipment and J&J Truck Equipment. Somerset Welding & Steel is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company, serving clients worldwide. For more information on Somerset Welding & Steel, please contact Shahira Hoffman, visit www.somersetwelding.com, email info@somersetwelding.com or call 814.444.3452. |
Representatives from J&J and Mack Trucks, Inc. met in Somerset, PA to review the pilot model for new troop carriers being exported to the country of Azerbaijan. Mack and J&J worked closely together to provide an economical solution for the movement of troops and supplies.
The unit features a Mack® Granite™ model chassis GU613E, custom tarp system, fold-down sides and a fold-down tailgate with built in step assemblies for easy entry and exit. The removable aluminum center seating and recessed tie downs in the floor allow the units to easily be converted for supply missions. J&J Truck Equipment, a division of Somerset Welding & Steel, Inc. is supporting the contract.
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