In the Chinese armored phalanx participating in "Peace Mission 2007" joint anti-terror military exercise, two armored recovery tractors distinguish themselves from the others. Riding in the recovery tractors are officers and men of the armor support element of the land-based comprehensive support group, who are reputed miracle-working "doctors" of armored vehicles. They shoulder the routine maintenance and rush repair mission of more than 100 new-type main battle armaments of the army combat group.

　　Given the reality that the vehicles are apt to get stuck in the mud due to the rainy climate and the great number of pools of rainwater ever since the troops entered the Chebarkul exercise field, the officers and men of the element immediately set about teaching the vehicle crews personally how to do self-recovery in the battle field. Seeing that the parts and components are apt to get rusted and the electric components are easy to get short-circuited due to the damp weather, they organize personnel to clean and maintain the parts and components every day in real earnest. When it gets clear, they air the parts and components immediately and check the electric parts and components regularly to make sure that all the circuits are in good working condition and the combat vehicles are in perfect operating state.

　　In all the separate trainings and joint trainings, the maintenance personnel have been following the armored combat vehicles wherever the assaults would take them and become dependable "guardians" of the armored vehicles.

　　By Li Fengming and Wang Shibin

　　(Aug 17, PLA Daily)