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FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Mechanics from the Iraqi army's 8th Motor Transport Regiment attended a six-day generator maintenance course here recently to improve their self-sufficiency and sustainability.
The Iraqi army is not staffed with generator mechanics, even though a lot of their units rely on generators to supply their electricity demands. The Soldiers who attended the course are vehicle mechanics who can directly apply the skills learned in the course to help maintain generators in the 8th Iraqi Army Division.
"We want to learn as much information from the U.S. mechanics as we can and gain the experience to maintain the generators," said 1st. Sgt. Ali Mahdi Jassim, 8th MTR.
The mechanics who attended the course are part of the 8th MTR's maintenance company. The original responsibility of the company was service and maintenance of Humvees and trucks but now includes generators.
"We have a big generator at 8th MTR and each company has a small generator," said Jassim. "Everything we learn here, we will go back to 8th MTR to teach the other Soldiers how to fix and maintain the generators."
The course focused on correct startup and shutdown procedures, proper phase for the electrical current, preventive maintenance checks and services and changing main generator components.
"This class is going well," said Spc. Patrick Armstrong, generator mechanic, Company B, 589th Brigade Support Battalion. "This is actually the third set of Iraqis I trained, and they comprehend this stuff a lot easier than the other groups I've trained."
The Soldiers who attended the class have prior vehicle maintenance experience helping them to understand the basics of generator maintenance, according to Armstrong.
"I think coming from an MTR has a major effect on how easily they understand it because, one: they know they are going to use it and two: they have some basic knowledge of how maintenance goes," said Armstrong. "I'm just helping them to understand generator maintenance,"
The training 8th MTR Soldiers received gives them a skill that will make sure they can operate and maintain the generators they have for a long time, said Armstrong.
"I think this actually goes a lot towards helping them get on their feet and being able to take care of their own equipment, which helps them to be self-sufficient."
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Sounds of rumbles, whirrs, chops and sustained clatter aggressively compete for audible dominance within the narrow-shelled frame of a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter. These are the voices of a typical U.S. military Chinook awakening from its slumber.
For many first-time passengers, these voices are noises, threatening to deafen unprotected ears and, still, overwhelming even the protected. For the Soldiers and military personnel who operate these aircraft daily on an intimate level, these voices are clear and defined, speaking volumes of information.
One such Soldier is Sgt. Chris Utter, a Reedsburg, Wis., and flight engineer with B. Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.
Moving about the cabin with an energetic, yet stoic, composure, Utter methodically responds to the needs of the aircraft and directs his Soldiers with jargon-laced commands and direction. There isn't a Soldier on the aircraft who doesn't possess and immediate and complete understanding of what needs to be done to make the many clamoring voices of the Chinook sing as one.
As a flight engineer, Utter supervises and maintains the aircraft with his crew, performing pre-flight tests and checks to ensure the safety of his passengers, crew, and the pilots during the upcoming mission.
Utter took on this duty with an involved affection during the early years of his 12-year military career.
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THANK YOU!!!
ANOTHER GREAT CHINOOK STORY:
Training on the “Flying Crane” - 4th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers Perfect the Art of Chinook Sling Loads:
Servicemembers Help to Restore Scout Program in Iraq
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, March 26, 2009 – A dedicated group of servicemembers is helping to restore the Scouting movement in Iraq, one child at a time.
When Iraq embraced the program in 1921, its Boy Scout and Girl Guide program became a member of the World Organization Scouting Movement. However, due to war and instability, it has been decertified twice by the World Organization Scouting Movement.
Improvements in security have led to a resurgence of Scouting thanks to a group of dedicated servicemembers who comprise the Victory Base Council. The council is working to encourage adults in Iraq to become more involved and to take over the program that is building toward recertification.
Since the Victory Base Council established a scout camp and community center here in April 2008, up to 150 servicemembers have come together each Saturday to teach valuable scouting lessons and implement new sporting activities for the area's youth.
Last weekend, elementary-age children learned about heat injuries and arts and crafts, while older children played soccer, volleyball and learned how an airport fire truck puts out fires.
"Today we have a small group," Army Maj. John Crawson, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said. Last week, about 80 children and more than 40 adults turned out to play baseball, he said.
Army Maj. Ken Broussard, the environmental science officer from the 1st Cavalry Division’s surgeon's office, taught the younger children via an interpreter how to spot and prevent heat injuries.
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AWESOME, THANK YOU TROOPS!
"It's really a tribute to the rebuilding of Iraq..."
Great video Annie, I love what our troops are doing! The kids seem to be having fun, their learning and they will always have a positive memory of our troops!!! It's a win win event!
Up to Code: Engineers Work on Joint Security Station Nasir Wa Salam
04.27.2009 07:51
BAGHDAD –Hot and sweaty after hours of patrolling the dangerous streets around the Abu Ghraib district here, the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Soldiers are ready to get clean and unwind at Joint Security Station Nasir Wa Salam, April 25.
Before, it wasn't that simple. Now, the engineers of Bravo Company, 46th Engineer Battalion, 225th Engineer Brigade are making life on the JSS a little easier for the cavalry troopers.
"It's excellent because now we have the facilities to accommodate us," remarked Sgt. Christopher Sachtjen, a combat engineer team leader from Burke, S.D., assigned to the 2nd Bn., 8th Cav. Regt. "You can actually stay clean and not worry about having to walk halfway across the JSS."
Since the beginning of March, the Bravo Co. engineers have renovated two tactical operation centers and seven old Iraqi army barracks, to include the latrines and showers, at JSS Nasir Wa Salam.
"It's awesome doing this for Soldiers and making the quality of life better," exclaimed Spc. Khalid Ammari, a native of Florissant, Mo., a carpentry and masonry specialist. "It's our job and I like our job."
As well as fixing the latrines and showers, the 46th engineers have added more lighting, doubled the electrical load capacity for the TOCs and are in the process of providing one outlet per Soldier, explained Staff Sgt. Jake Hensley, a vertical construction supervisor assigned to Bravo Co.
"The whole JSS is coming off the Iraqi grid power... and putting it on our generator power," said Hensley from Kansas City, Kan.
Face of Defense: Former Car Salesman Drives Army Trucks
BAGHDAD, April 27, 2009 – Not long ago, Army Pfc. Paul Henry was a car salesman in Marion, Ill., a divorced father of two children who was looking for something different in his life. So he decided to enlist in the Army.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Henry said. “When I quit selling cars, I wanted to give back to society.”
Henry had worked as a district manager for a restaurant chain, and then switched careers and became a car salesman. His military career began in January 2008, when he visited the recruiter in Marion and enlisted for three years as a motor transport operator.
Henry, 42, was one of the oldest recruits at the entrance processing station and had to prove himself through tests that were 30 percent more physically demanding than those designated for younger soldiers. He was the only one of 12 men to pass all the tests administered.
“Everyone was giving me high fives and congratulating me. That’s when I knew I could make it,” he said.
After basic training, Henry was assigned in June 2008 to Fort Riley, Kan., with the general supply section of the 1st Infantry Division’s 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 63rd Armored Regiment. The unit has a mission some might describe as monotonous, but work doesn’t get boring for many with Henry around, according to Army Pfc. Heinrich Felgar, who hails from Moline, Ill. Henry’s contagious smile, sense of humor, and a shout of “Hey, great to see you!” always keep people laughing, Felgar said.
“He’s more motivated than a lot of people, although he’s sometimes twice their age,” added Felgar, who at 23 is one of the youngest soldiers in the platoon. “No matter what you ask of him, he’s always positive.”
However, what strikes his fellow soldiers about Henry is his positive attitude and his excitement about the Army, though he admits he had some initial nervousness to shake out at first.
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“Henry is the uplift of the company,” said Army Capt. Hector Vazquez, who hails from Bronx, N.Y., and commands Company E. “His enthusiasm, motivation and positive attitude are unparalleled.”
Henry’s unit remains deployed in Iraq, partnered with the 17th Iraqi Army Division. The unit’s mission is to train the Iraqi army for self-reliance and to protect the Iraqi people.
“Every day I feel honored to be here. It’s great,” Henry said.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE PFC HENRY, IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Getting to Know the Press: Dagger Hosts Second Media Round Table
04.28.2009 03:14
BAGHDAD – Iraqi reporters took advantage of another opportunity to meet with the U.S. Army commanders operating in northwest Baghdad and Abu Ghraib.
In a "round table" setting, Col. Joseph Martin, commander, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team "Dagger," 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division—Baghdad, and four battalion commanders in the brigade, hosted the second media-focused event April 26 since the brigade arrived in northwest Baghdad in early October 2008.
For U.S. commanders, it was an effort to inform the Iraqi public of the joint security mission with the Iraqi security forces, the essential services and civil capacity projects in the area and the continuing implementations of the signed security agreement between the government of Iraq and the U.S. government.
The Security Agreement, enacted in January of this year, states that coalition forces will "pull out of the city" by June 31.
Many members of the Iraqi press wanted to know exactly what that means to not only the population of northwest Baghdad, but to the Dagger Brigade Soldiers.
"We are still in negotiation with the government of Iraq as to how things will work beyond the 30th of June," Martin said. "Many of the Soldiers in the cities will move to Victory Base Complex or other locations. Anything that is remaining of the cities will be at the request of the Iraqi security forces."
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After the conference, the Iraqi media again had a chance to sit and talk with the leaders of the Dagger Brigade over lunch with an understanding of how the brigade continues to help secure and develop northwest Baghdad and Abu Ghraib's environment.
"We all come here with one simple agenda," said Martin. "That agenda is so that progress can continue over time."
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Country singer and troop supporter Toby Keith finished up a 15-show tour in Afghanistan April 27 as he drew near the end of his seventh tour with the United Service Organizations.
Keith spent five days criss-crossing the war-torn country visiting bases large and small in a whirlwind of handshakes, autographs, photo-ops and of course – country music shows.
Whether it's hundreds of Marines at Camp Bastion or a crowd of thousands at Kandahar Air Field, countless hours of preparation and manpower go into making each show special.
"It's a three-pronged attack," said Rachel Tischler, USO vice president of entertainment operations. "The crews get to work setting everything up for the larger shows as most of the band goes to see people at the larger bases. While they are doing that, [Toby] and a few others visit the more remote locations."
Keith's tour visited Forward Operating Bases Tillman and Boris, near the Pakistan border, in addition to the larger bases, like FOBs Sharana and Salerno.
"It was important to Toby and the crew to visit as many of the smaller, remote locations as possible," said Tischler. "Never mind getting entertainers – some of them don't have running water!"
Keith, was taught early on to respect the military and those who serve in it.
"My father was a Soldier. He taught his kids to respect veterans," said Keith. "It's that respect and the thank you that we have a military that's in place and ready to defend our nation; our freedom."
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Keith doesn't just raise spirits though, he raises awareness too.
"It's great to be supported by someone in the music business," Cook said. "It also keeps us on people's minds back home." Keith ended more than an hour of guitar whompin', foot stompin' music with a promise he's echoed over 150 times: "I'll see you next year."
After departing Afghanistan, Keith and company head to Italy to finish their seventh USO tour.
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GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU TOBY!
AMERICA APPRECIATES YOUR STEADFAST SUPPORT OF OUR BRAVE DEFENDERS!
Tropic Lightning Security Detachment Donates Books to Local Tikrit Schools
04.28.2009 03:52
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Soldiers with the 25th Special Troops Battalion, 25th Infantry Division's Security Detachment distributed dozens of boxes of text books to several local "primary schools", near Tikrit, Iraq, April 20.
On this day, the Security Detachment's mission was to donate boxes of books to younger Iraqi children of both boys and girls schools within their area of operations.
The detachment typically visits the principals, teachers, and leaders of the local schools and area several times a week, according to 1st Lt. Hugo Flores-Diaz, a Woodbridge, Va. native and platoon leader, Security Detachment, 25th Special Troops Battalion, 25th Inf. Div.
"Usually we donate books to first grade through sixth grade schools, which are known as primary schools," said Hussain Alsoltani, an interpreter attached to the security detachment, who was raised in Iraq at an early age.
"When I was growing up in Iraq during primary school, I looked at teachers as secondary parents," said Alsoltani. "They taught values, as well as schooling."
For Alsoltani, who participates on many missions with the detachment during their visits to the local area schools, there are many similarities between the children of Iraq and the children of the U.S.
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In addition to donating books to the local school, the detachment also helps out by donating school supplies and sporting goods for the children of primary and secondary schools. According to Flores-Diaz, these supplies are typically donated or purchased with coalition funds.
Taking time out to help out the local community and to nurture the development of the young children of Iraq is a duty which the members of the Security Detachment see as a good investment.
"We try to help the kids that we know are the future of Iraq," said Alsoltani. "This is the generation that will build Iraq."
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FANTASTIC JOB TROOPS, THANK YOU!!!
Related story:
Soldiers Sort Half a Million School Books for Iraqi Children:
Operation Gratitude: SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! www.opgratitude.com
VIDEO: Training Afghan Commandos...
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