California maintenance detachment keeps convoys rolling

Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Siguenza | Staff Sgt. Gilbert Ambriz, welder for the 118th Maintenance Company, operates a plasma cutter to cut a Humvee grill at the Camp Cedar, Iraq, maintenance shop. Ambriz and nearly two dozen 118th Soldiers left Camp Anaconda to run a critical maintenance shop south of Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. Eddie Siguenza)  

IRAQ

09.04.2007

Courtesy Story

1st Theater Sustainment Command

By Sgt. Eddie Siguenza
1113th Transportation Company

CAMP CEDAR II, Iraq – There's a magic show performed daily by nearly two-dozen Soldiers of the California National Guard's 118th Maintenance Company. In a matter of hours, they can make a megaton armored security vehicle disappear.

In other words, they place mechanically-damaged ASVs back on the road in extraordinarily quick time. They appear damaged, but swiftly get repaired and put back in operation.

There's a little magic involved, says Chief Warrant Officer Brent Francis, the officer in charge. Magic, with a lot of hustle.

"We know how important it is to keep vehicles rolling. It's no good to the U.S. Army if it's in the shop," said Francis. "There's a lot of pressure to get them out. But we run a 24-hour operation."

This particular motor pool can be likened to auto racing's pit row: mechanics vie against each other to get vehicles out on the track in the shortest of time.

"They come and go here. This is the (military) version of a truck stop on Highway 5," said Staff Sgt. Gilbert Ambriz, the detachment's welder. "Depending on the damage, we can get trucks out quickly."

During the 1991 Gulf War, Cedar was a small Iraqi air base, Francis explained. It's in viewing distance from An Nasariyah, the Iraq city made famous by the 2003 Pvt. Jessica Lynch encounter. American forces rescued Lynch at an An Nasariyah hospital after her convoy was attacked and overcome.

Convoys originating in Kuwait or southern Iraq whose destination are Baghdad or further use Cedar as a stopover. Once over the Kuwait-Iraq border, the small military base is the closest facility.

Although the 118th is based out of Logistical Support Area Anaconda in Balad, Iraq, Maj. Barbara Feagles, commander, dispersed portions of her unit to Forward Operating Base Duke and Camps Bucca and Cedar.

Cedar's location is ideal for convoys in need of quick repairs and the pick-of-the-litter went there, said mechanic Sgt. Ignacio Jimenez.

"They're good Soldiers," Feagles said. "Chief Francis does an outstanding job. He has great warriors, great leaders. The 118th plays a significant role as far as convoy missions."

ASVs aren't the only vehicles coming into this small repair shop. The 118th Soldiers vary work on Humvees, tractors, trailers and other tactical vehicles.

"It doesn't even matter what convoy. We're helping everyone," said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Padilla, a shift leader. "It's because of the experience we have in the guys. (The) majority of them are mechanics back home. They do this even before getting into a uniform. Plus we all know how important convoy missions are. We want to keep them rolling."

In less than a month, close to 100 vehicles have been serviced, Francis explained. Air conditioning is the most common problem, he added.

"That's understandable," Francis said. "They're putting these vehicles on the road in extreme temperatures. And the amount of hours spent on the road, that's very demanding on the vehicle. But they got to have it."

What the mechanics have is a lot of skill and determination. The magic also helps.

• Date Taken: 09.04.2007
• Date Posted: 09.04.2007 09:57
• Story ID: 12140
• Location: IQ