Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Bryant Maude | Col. Mohommad, the Taji level III wheeled vehicle maintenance facility commander walks...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude
1st Sustainment Brigade
TAJI, Iraq - The temperatures swelled into the triple digits as Iraqi maintenance troops stood tall and proud next to one of the 150-plus vehicles on parade near the Taji level III wheeled vehicle maintenance facility, Aug. 26, 2008. The vehicles and mechanics were part of a ceremony held to highlight their recent achievements. The guest of honor was Staff Gen. Nasier Abadi, the Iraqi army deputy chief of staff and others from the Iraqi army and coalition forces.
A passage from the holy Qur'an was read and a moment of silence for prayer was observed and then the guest speaker took the podium and praised the hard work of the officers and Soldiers of the level III facility.
"We have done a great job fixing a lot of vehicles during this campaign so congratulations," stated Brig. Gen. Muniem, the electrical and mechanical engineering officer, and key note speaker for the event. "They are very professional and work very hard to support the Iraqi army and our country."
In April of 2008 a small group of officers and Soldiers of the 1st Sustainment Brigade started working with their Iraqi counterparts. So this event was exciting for them to see as well.
"It's exciting. This is a ceremony that highlights the Iraqi's ability to do Level III maintenance and the Iraqi army took over the level III track and the level III wheeled facility officially, June 1, 2008. So from June to now they have managed to repair 150 wheeled vehicles and 25 tracked vehicles," said Capt. Randall Weiser, the Iraqi security force cell officer in charge. "This averages out to about twenty vehicles a week which is great."
"This represents change for the Iraqi army," commented Chief Warrant Officer 4 Keith Hammitt, the maintenance advisor to Col. Mohommad. "This is a result of their own hard work and sacrifice."
After the talk Nasier was escorted on the field where he cut the ceremonial ribbon and then had an opportunity to walk the grounds, meet the mechanics, shake their hands, and get some feedback on how they are doing. At one point the Soldiers broke out in song and dance as the general and his entourage clapped along. Everyone appeared to be having fun.
Before the celebration was over several Soldiers were presented with awards by Staff Gen. Nasier Abadi. Each Soldier and officer saluted the general, shook his hand, and accepted their award with pride.
"Through this effort we are able to insure the country is more secure," concluded Muniem.
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.02.2008 10:04 |
| Story ID: | 23119 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 99 |
This work, Taji Level III Wheeled Vehicle Maintenance Facility celebrates early progress, by SFC Bryant Maude, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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