Dover’s Contingency Response Squadron modernizes its fleet of trucks

  • Published
  • By Jeremy Larlee
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  

The 512th Contingency Response Squadron received four new light service support vehicles in June 2025, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

The unit acquired the military trucks through the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Appropriations process. NGREA allows for Reserve component equipment procurement and modernization resourcing to sustain a strong, relevant and lethal operational and strategic force.

The new trucks’ operators, the 512th CRS, is comprised of Airmen in numerous different career fields, and their mission is to deploy and establish airbase capabilities in austere conditions.

Tech. Sgt. Samuel Smolarek, 512th CRS operations expediter, said the new trucks are an improvement over what they were using before and are excellent for transporting personnel and equipment.

“This is a huge upgrade,” he said. “They have larger fuel tanks which means versatility to operate longer without needing to refuel. They also have more cabin space which will be especially useful when people are wearing full combat gear.”

In addition to the larger tanks, the trucks offer another fuel-related edge, said Smolarek.

“The trucks running on diesel is a huge advantage, since it’s the same fuel we use for everything to do with the aircraft,” he said. “The trucks we use now are a mix of diesel and gasoline. All four trucks using the same fuel will help streamline operations.”

Smolarek said the previous vehicles were starting to show their age as well.

“The previous vehicles were second-hand with about 200-300 thousand miles on them,” he said. “They were well cared for but were still very high-mileage vehicles with a bunch of engine idle time on them. I feel more comfortable with the newer vehicles that won’t break down on us.”

The process to replace the vehicles took four years from beginning to end, said Ishmael Dixon 512th Airlift Wing reserve deployment officer.

 “In early 2021, there was a change in the 512th CRS’s Unit Type Code; and, we started the paperwork to get the vehicles replaced,” he said. “I checked the status every few months to make sure everything was still progressing correctly. It feels good to see the hard work pay off, and for this unit to get something that improves their readiness.”

Smolarek said he is excited to put the new vehicles to the test.

“The trucks will get their first test during our exercise in July,” he said. These vehicles are going to make doing our mission easier and allow us to be at our best.”