539th TC Mechanics host Kuwait National Guardsmen

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kimberly Hill | Soldiers with the 539th Transportation Company show members of the Kuwait National Guard a heavy equipment transporter system in their motor pool as part of an ongoing maintenance collaboration at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, on Nov. 4, 2013.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

11.04.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill 

371st Sustainment Brigade

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Soldiers with the 539th Transportation Company, 371st Sustainment Brigade hosted mechanics of the Kuwait National Guard at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait on Nov. 4, 2013 as part of an ongoing maintenance collaboration between the 539th TC and the Kuwait National Guard.

“We went over to their camp and saw how they worked and their equipment, now they’re here seeing our equipment and how we work; we’re trying to build a good communication base,” said Sgt. Juan Alvarez, a platoon sergeant with the 539th TC and a Houston,Texas, native.

The collaboration between the Kuwait National Guard and the 539th TC was planned in August 2013 by the leaders of the 371st Sus. Bde. and the 143rd Combat Service Support Battalion, said 1st Lt. Kevin McGee, an Akron, Ohio, native, and the Kuwait National Guard liaison officer for the 371st Sus. Bde.

This team of brigade liaisons planned this two-month long training exercise through a series of meetings with Col. Khaled Al Gharib, commander of Kuwait National Guard workshop elements stationed at Camp Tahreer, McGee added.

Soldiers of the 539th Transportation Company, based out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska, gave the Kuwait National guardsmen a tour of their motor pool, explaining and demonstrating the various capabilities of their vehicles with help from translators, said Alvarez.

"It is gratifying to see this finally come together,” said McGee. “Seeing the Kuwait National Guard soldiers and our maintenance soldiers in the 539th TC finally start to turn wrenches together is great.”

Members of the Kuwait National Guard were also excited by the opportunity to tour the motor pool and learn about the processes of a U.S. Army maintenance company.

“It’s different; we want to learn how they work and about their vehicles,” said Pvt. Hoshan Al Khaldi, a mechanic with the Kuwait National Guard.

• Date Taken: 11.04.2013
• Date Posted: 11.05.2013 06:09
• Story ID: 116290
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW
• Hometown: AKRON, OH, US
• Hometown: HOUSTON, TX, US