<p>Army soldiers in the Pacific faced delays in obtaining standard hex-sided bolts, which are backordered with an expected delivery timeline of February 2027, according to Col. R. Scott Carpenter, commander of U.S. Army Materiel Support Command-Korea. This information was shared during the Association of the United States Army annual convention in Washington.</p>
<p>Carpenter explained that the bolts, which are essential for the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS), are not readily available for purchase at hardware stores. He noted that the bolts have a specific groove cut for the CROWS system. To address the backlog, the troops at MSC-K developed a method to fabricate the bolts themselves in less than two days.</p>
<p>“This bolt for the team to fabricate with the material cost is $1.27. If you include our labor rate, it’s about $100,” Carpenter stated, highlighting that ordering the bolts would cost over $300 and take several months.</p>
<p>In another instance, two commanders reported a shortage of 87 Joint Battle Command-Platform cables, which would cost $1,850 and take 9-14 months to order. The MSC-K was able to produce the cables within three days at a material cost of $145.</p>
<p>A Guam-based military unit required a part that was not available independently and would have cost $46,000 to purchase. Carpenter's team fabricated it through subtractive manufacturing for $82.</p>
<p>The Army is utilizing both additive manufacturing (3D printing) and subtractive manufacturing to create these components. These innovations address significant logistical challenges faced by the military, particularly the delays in obtaining essential parts. The goal is to enable U.S. troops to maintain and repair equipment in the region rather than sending it back to the United States, especially during conflicts.</p>
<p>Lt. Gen. Joe Hilbert, commanding general of Eighth Army, emphasized the importance of these innovations, stating that they come from Department of the Army civilians and soldiers identifying problems and finding solutions. He noted that this approach allows for more efficient maintenance of equipment in Korea.</p>
<p>MSC-K operates under the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and is a subordinate command of Eighth Army, which has been stationed in South Korea for decades. Carpenter expressed his goal for MSC-K to become the advanced manufacturing center for U.S. Pacific Command.</p>
<p>The Eighth Army also has maintenance support teams that assist the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan, and in Hawaii to support Army rotational units.</p>
<p>Lessons from the U.S. war in Iran highlighted the need for redundant supply chains in contested environments, as demonstrated by the Navy's reliance on resupply from Diego Garcia following attacks on a key base in Bahrain.</p>