Type 1 cranes strengthen long-range Fires readiness | Article

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. —  (Oct. 7, 2026) Product Manager Engineer, Maintenance, Support Equipment (PdM EMSE) delivered two Family of All Terrain Crane (FOATC) Type 1 systems, or T1Cs, here in late August, providing critical organic heavy-lift capability to frontline Multi-Domain Task Force formations.

The delivery supports Headquarters, Department of the Army Execution Order 245-26 and helps close support-equipment gaps for priority strategic fires units. Six additional 40-ton crane systems are scheduled to arrive soon, bringing 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, and 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, to 100 percent of authorized equipment density by end of October 2026.

The cranes provide units fielding the Multiple Launch Rocket System and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon with an organic capability to reload missile canisters, conduct field maintenance, and sustain expeditionary operations without depending on fixed commercial or installation infrastructure.

For 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, the new capability directly improves its ability to support operations forward in the Indo-Pacific.

“Operating forward in Japan, the ATEC (All-Terrain Engineer Crane) leverages the multi-role utility of the ATEC crane to streamline organic maintenance and logistical operations,” said Capt. Jacob A. Milton, commander, 509th Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery (Long-Range Precision Fires), 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force.

“Beyond its primary role in mid-range capability reload training, the crane’s capability to internally move heavy tactical containers and equipment eliminates the operational requirement to contract external Material Handling Equipment. This self-reliance accelerates forward repair timelines, enhances battery agility, and secures substantial cost savings for the battalion,” he added.

The Type 1 crane fielding gives long-range fires formations greater flexibility to move and maintain critical equipment in austere environments. By reducing reliance on external material-handling support, units can improve responsiveness while preserving the ability to operate across distributed locations.

Completion of the eight-crane delivery at Joint Base Lewis-McChord will establish a heavy-lift foundation for long-range fires in the Pacific and increase Joint-force readiness in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. PM Force Projection is also preparing to field remaining crane requirements across the Army’s other Multi-Domain Task Forces. The team plans to field an average of four units per month, including corresponding operator training.