A Fort Hood unit is making it safer for our troops to move through war zones, and the way they prepare armored vehicles is now spreading across the Army.
The 3D Cavalry Regiment's 1st Squadron won the defense department's Sphinx Award for maintenance in August.
Now their idea is being used to save lives in Afghanistan.
They came up with it while they were working on vehicles during the drawdown in Iraq.
It's a system that engages every crew member from the bottom up and uses specific training and checklists in order to ensure everything is in working order.
Those behind it say the most important thing is getting soldiers home safely to their families.
"There's nothing worse than having to do a memorial in Afghanistan or in Iraq. It's like the heaviest feeling and loss," said SSG Gilbert Garza.
"It's a good feeling knowing that things continue on and help save soldiers' lives, and overall better situation for the Army," said SFC Stephen Helton, who has since been reassigned to the 1st Cavalry Division.
Next month the unit will go to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
There they'll find out if they could win an even bigger award across all the military.
Reporter/Photographer: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com
