Feild Welding Solution
"A field welding solution is quite a good piece of equipment to have in a modern military exercise," Sergeant Matthew explained. "It serves multiple purposes beyond just making tools. The primary function is to provide metalworking capabilities in the field, allowing military engineers and technicians to repair, modify, and fabricate essential components on-site."
It enhances a military unit’s capability to remain operational... by enabling on-the-spot repairs, modifications, and fabrication
In high-intensity environments, equipment and vehicles often sustain damage that requires immediate attention. The field welding solution allows engineers to repair critical parts such as brackets, hinges, and structural supports, reducing reliance on supply chains that could be disrupted in a combat scenario. Additionally, it enables the manufacture of specialised tools or modifications tailored to the mission's needs.
Beyond operational support, the field welding solution helps maintain traditional blacksmith skills, which remain invaluable when modern resources are limited. "It enhances a military unit’s capability to remain operational in austere environments by enabling on-the-spot repairs, modifications, and fabrication. It is a vital asset for sustaining equipment readiness and ensuring mission success," Sergeant Matthew added.
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Field Repairs in Steadfast Dart 2025
During Steadfast Dart 2025, Sergeant Matthew and his team have been kept busy with various repairs. "Normally, if vehicles have been crashed or bumped into, we handle battle damage repair. That’s our predominant role. We also manufacture things we can’t get through the system," he said. One of their recent tasks involved fixing a broken mirror bracket on a Jackal vehicle. "It was the quickest way to get the repair done. We managed it on the back of our truck with the equipment we’ve got."
The Challenges and Unusual Creations
Every job presents a unique challenge for the metalsmith team. "We are the last resort if every other trade has exhausted all their methods to try and solve the issue. Then they come to us, and we work our magic" said Sergeant Matthew, "nine times out of ten, we can complete it."
When asked about the most unusual thing they have ever created, he smiled. "It’s hard to put a finger on it, but I’d say the most unusual thing we’ve created was a trophy out of nuts and bolts. We get stuff done that other people can’t, basically."
The Journey to Become a Military Blacksmith
Sergeant Matthew's journey into this specialised trade began with a year in college studying fabrication and welding. "When I went to the careers office and signed up for the Army, I told them what my interests were, and they signposted me into the metalsmith trade. Fourteen years later, I’m still enjoying it."
The Bigger Picture: Steadfast Dart 2025
Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025 is a large-scale NATO exercise designed to test and train the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) in deploying to NATO Vigilance Area South-East. The focus is on planning and executing multi-domain operations to reinforce Allied forces in Romania and Bulgaria.
They come to us, and we work our magic.
With experts like Sergeant Matthew and his team ensuring the readiness of vehicles and equipment, the exercise highlights the indispensable role of metalsmiths in sustaining operational effectiveness. Whether repairing armor, modifying tools, or crafting custom solutions, the field welding solution remains a critical asset in modern military operations.