Supporting the next generation of engineers and innovators is a natural extension of our mission. A dedicated team from the NASA Test Facility Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering (TFOME) III contract alongside partners from Amentum, HX5, Sierra Lobo, and Yulista subsidiary, Troy7, provided critical machine shop support at the 2026 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition Buckeye Regional held at Cleveland State University.
The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international high school robotics competition that combines engineering, teamwork, and strategy in a fast-paced, sports-like environment. Since 2005, this competition aims to inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
This year’s event brought together 43 teams from across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan to compete in the 2026 challenge, REBUILT. The competition featured fast-paced MATCH cycles, all requiring precision engineering, rapid problem-solving, and resilient design.
Yulista’s commitment to operational excellence was reflected in the performance of the machine shop team, which successfully completed 110 tasks over the course of the event. While overall task complexity aligned with previous years, teams arrived better prepared, making this a highly efficient and collaborative environment. One notable trend was the high volume of bent intake shaft repairs, with more than 20 completed on Saturday alone. Thanks to expanded capabilities and experienced personnel, every request was met without a single safety incident.
Beyond technical execution, what continues to set this effort apart is mentorship. Our team not only delivered timely, high-quality repairs but also engaged directly with students offering guidance, reinforcing best practices, and demonstrating the professionalism expected in real-world engineering environments. This hands-on interaction reinforces Yulista’s belief that mission success starts with people.
2026 Machine Shop Support Team: Ed Mysliwiec, Ian Gager, Roger Tuck, Frank Bremenour, Jon Mitchell, John M. Lauerhahs, Leonard Smith, Mike Thomas, and Mark Jacko
Thank you to everyone who made this project possible. The students we supported were respectful, driven, and grateful. We are honored to contribute to an event that inspires the next generation of engineers and innovators.
