A little latch lube saves big bucks.

Dear Editor,

The bay doors on the Patriot's engagement control station (ECS), information and coordination central (ICC), and communications relay group all have latches that cost $275 a pop. So you want to make those latches last.

If the latches stick, they will break when someone tries to force them. We've Found a monthly shot of either silicone or graphite lubricant keeps the latches moving easily. If they still stick, we take them apart and clean them.

Patriot units need to remember, too, that there are two different latches. It's easy to mistakenly order the wrong one.

SFC John Baird

3/6 ADA 

Ft Bliss, TX

Editor's note: To avoid that mistake, turn the latch as you face the outside of the door. If the latch turns to the right, it's a right-hand latch and it's Item 3 in Fig 12 in TM 9-1430-1600-24P and comes with NSN 5340-01-254-1600. If it turns left, it's Item 2 and comes with NSN 5350-01-254-1601.