Minnesota National Guard’s Second Annual Best Mechanic Competition

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Minnesota National Guard is hosting its second annual Best Mechanic Competition with military mechanics from around the state this Thursday.

“Competitions like the Minnesota National Guard Best Mechanic Competition recognize and celebrate the skills and expertise of our mechanics,” said Army Maj. Maggie Gregg, Minnesota National Guard’s field maintenance manager. “It is a way to showcase their talent, foster healthy competition, and encourage comradery within the maintenance community and the Minnesota National Guard.”

This is the second annual competition, which was held last year at the Little Falls-based Camp Ripley Training Center. The Best Mechanic Competition consists of a crew served weapons station, finding the maintenance issues of a down Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and vehicle recovery. Compared to other Army skill competitions, The Best Mechanic Competition holds a great deal of weight and provides the necessary challenges for Minnesota National Guard mechanics to earn a top place in their skill set.

“Fulltime mechanics are working ceaselessly to ensure units have all the equipment they need to train,” said Army Capt. Thomas Murphy, Minnesota National Guard Arden Hills Armory’s Surface Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor. “The annual Best Mechanic competition allows them to take a day to spend time with other mechanics in the state, and to showcase all their talents.”

The competition will start at 9 a.m. with a round-robin rotation for the six-person teams in seven events. Each team will be strategically made up of a variety of skilled personnel from the mechanic units in the Minnesota National Guard, specialty departments, and maintenance shops.

Editor’s Note: Media members are invited to attend the event on May 9 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., located at the Field Maintenance Shop, 4843 Hamline Ave N, Arden Hills, Minn. Media can RSVP to Maj. Jodine Eells at 952-237-3136 or jodine.l.eells.mil@army.mil.

– About the Minnesota National Guard –

Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies, and contribute to local communities. For more information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.

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