Tobyhanna Army Depot Celebrated Employees on National Tradesman Day

Skilled tradespeople are an essential part of Tobyhanna Army Depot’s (TYAD) operations, using their expertise and craftsmanship to keep the installation running and support warfighter readiness. In recognition of National Tradesman Day, TYAD is highlighting the civilian professionals whose work supports missions across the depot.

The Mobile Equipment Branch maintains and repairs a wide range of equipment, including law enforcement vehicles, construction equipment, forklifts, roads and grounds equipment, and the General Services Administration fleet.

Mobile Equipment Branch Chief Paul DePrimo said the team’s expertise is critical to the installation.

“The Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic team is the operational backbone of this installation. Managing an inventory that spans from zero-emission electric vehicles to heavy-diesel material handlers means mastering hundreds of complex systems across dozens of different types of manufactured equipment,” said DePrimo.

“There is simply no repair beyond this team’s technical reach. Their skill, dedication, and adaptability ensure our installation and tenant missions stay mobile, fully mission-capable, and ready for any operational challenge.”

Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic Kyle Emerson said the team takes pride in its work.

“my teammates and I arrive to work each day motivated to keep the mission going. We all take a lot of pride in our work.”

The Equipage and Composite Branch also provides specialized support across TYAD, working with materials including fabric, rubber, foam, carbon fiber, glass and Kevlar. The branch supports programs ranging from the M136 Volcano to Nett Warrior, the Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher and various radar systems.

“The Equipage and Composite Branch currently supports multiple high visibility Volcano programs,” said Michael Wartella, a logistics management specialist in the Production Management Directorate. “The team has provided enthusiastic, exceptional support on several different types of requirements for this important program.”

For employees such as Eunice Hartranft, the work requires specialized skills developed through years of experience.

“What we do here is not hobby sewing,” she emphasized. “It is a highly complex process to create something from start to finish through measurement, design, prototyping, etc. There is a difference between knowing how to operate a machine and knowing how to sew,” adding that her skills were honed over many years.

The dedication of these tradespeople has a direct impact on the depot’s mission and the warfighters it supports.

“What we do is gratifying because it helps our warfighters,” said Fabric Worker Kimberly McNaughton. “It is nice to leave here every day knowing I accomplished something important.”

TYAD’s skilled workforce supports its role as the Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronics, avionics, and missile guidance and control. Through their expertise, tradespeople across the depot help maintain critical equipment, support emerging technologies and strengthen readiness for joint and allied forces around the world.