U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team

Story by Senior Airman Alyssa Miles

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Members of the Iraqi army are currently attending a petroleum, oil and lubrication fuels training course conducted by the Iraqi air force at Camp Taji.

The classroom setting provides an atmosphere for both branches to excel, with the army learning fuel maintenance and the air force demonstrating their ability to successfully teach the material to students.

According to Tech. Sgt. Donald Pedro, 821st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron fuels specialist advisor, this is the first time the Iraqi air force has taught the course to their army counterpart but "it's working out great so far."

"We usually teach the POL fuels course," Pedro said. "In this case, the Iraqi army needed training and it was the perfect time for the Iraqi air force instructor to teach."

Camp Taji is a desirable place for the Iraqi army to train as the air force has a fuels lab already in place, whereas plans are being made to purchase an army lab.

During the course, Iraqi air force Warrant Officer Jassam, fuels officer, is teaching his army counterparts how to test fuel to ensure it's clean and safe for handling and use inside aircraft and vehicles. Using clean fuel also helps prevent mechanical and fuel line issues, both of which can have a negative effect on mechanical performance.

Pedro, who is deployed from Pope Air Force Base, N.C., has recently taught members of the Iraqi air force fuel sampling, color particle assessment and conductivity tests during his three months here. However, during the army's training, he serves as an advisor and states it was quite unusual not being the head of the classroom.

"This is the first big step with us stepping away from the big picture and letting the Iraqi air force take off and go on its own," he said. "They're really coming into their own. It's an amazing thing to see – the transition from me teaching the course and them taking over and teaching it on their own. It's awkward stepping back as an advisor and watching instead of teaching but it's a beautiful thing when it works out the way it's working here."

Both Pedro and Officer Jassam agree the best result of this training will be the qualified individuals who will be able to train others inside their career field.

"I'm very happy and glad to be teaching this class to the army for the first time," said Officer Jassam. "I'll be happier when they take this information and teach other people. Maybe they can open a new class in their unit and teach people who work with them in the future."

Pedro, a native of Pawtucket, R.I., says although he misses his family, advancing the progress in the Iraqi military makes it worthwhile in the end.

"These classes are going to be very successful," Pedro said. "They're adamant on learning the info – the army is excited to learn the info and the air force is excited to teach. I enjoy what I'm doing here tremendously. It's different from other deployments because I'm watching a nation and its air force be built and I'm a part of that process. It's an amazing experience."

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