Army generator mechanics remain ready to power systems up

Photo By Sgt. Anthony Hooker | Private Thai Veng watches as local Iraqis work on a generator oil change July 30, 2008 at Al Bathra, Iraq. Veng, a generator mechanic with the 542nd Maintenance Support Company is assigned to make sure water is pumped to COB Adder and Camp Cedar.  

BALAD, IRAQ

09.03.2008

Courtesy Story

215th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Anthony Hooker
215th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

JOINT BASE BALAD, IRAQ – Sgt. Terry Gay, a generator mechanic with the 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, said doing his job means getting overlooked.

"[People] don't even know I'm here until something breaks," said Gay, a Montgomery, Ala. native.

Gay's job skill is a forgotten duty in today's battlespace, mainly because prime or commercial power has become the source of energy for many contingency and forward operating bases. With bases housing thousands of troops for long periods of service, private contracting groups have picked up the responsibility of supporting Servicemembers' basic needs. Soldiers responsible for providing food, shelter, and energy at established bases have been replaced by civilian-run services.

However, for Soldiers living on smaller bases that are closer to Iraqi citizens or significant outposts along the country's perimeter, generator mechanics find their level of service remains critical to a mission's success.

Lt. Col. Carlos Morales, the 63rd ESB's commander, oversees over 20 communication systems spread throughout Multi-National Division-Baghdad, MND-North and Multi-National Corps-Iraq. The 63rd ESB, deployed from Ft. Gordon, Georgia, is required to provide continuous phone and digital service; Morales said his generator mechanics must be ready on short notice to get out and service vehicles.

"My mechanics have to cover multiple sites," said Morales. "They often visit areas that have unreliable or no commercial power."

Morales also said the visits allow the mechanics to become his eyes on the ground.

"Doing checks and services gives (leadership) a good notification of how good Soldiers are taking care of their generators and supporting equipment," Morales said. "That's important because these sites' communications are so critical [to a successful mission]."

Gay, who is on his second deployment, said people trained in his military skill will go to units that don't use commercial power or operate in field environments.

"Location is big in how you are used," Gay said. "If you go to the field, you'll always need a generator."

Pvt. Thai Vang, a generator mechanic with the 542nd Maintenance Support Company at COB Adder, conducts technical inspections on generator-run items. Vang, who is part of the unit's water pump team, occasionally has to assess or fix generators that pump water from the nearby Euphrates river into the canals. The pump is managed by paid locals, but Vang understands that it is ultimately his duty to make sure a generator he oversees is fully functional.

"Occasionally, I have to get in and do services because the locals' standards are different from the United States Army," Vang said.

Vang said he is aware that civilian contractors are picking up the bulk of missions on post, but that his skills can't afford to be dismissed.

"I see the value in my job, but I don't know when I may be used," Vang said. "All I can do is make sure I stay prepared."

Spc. Jesus Correa, a mechanic working under the guidance of Gay, said his unit chooses to run their own power so they will have more control of the mission.

"Requesting service with a commercial group can take two, three days with a work order," Correa said. "If you're there, you make sure the mission can happen faster."

Sgt. Roy Dukes, a satellite operator with the 63rd ESB, said having same-day service helps he and a distant-end operator solve problems within minutes.

"When our system goes down, we're talking about two FOBs that have no communication," Dukes said. "They can't call out on the phone, the computers can't be used . . . with mechanics on site, we can have problems resolved smoothly."

Although stationed at JBB, Gay has provided services at other camps, including Camp Cobra, a small outpost located nearby Sadr City in Baghdad. In addition to checking fluid levels and air filters, Gay had to protect himself and his squad members from small-arms fire. That meant completing services in full gear, along with having someone providing cover.

Gay realized he was near one of Iraq's most hostile areas, but the job required his services.

"When we were at Cobra, the generator went down and it was the only satellite communications at the FOB," said Gay.

Gay said to be successful, he had to always be prepared.

"There are a bunch of people depending on you to keep communications going in Iraq," said Gay. "For the transmission to be effective, the shot has to be back up within a few hours . . . I must be aware of what I'm doing."

Whether it was fuel or small-arms fire, Gay said staying focused was the key.
"If you're not on top of your game, it'll beat you."

• Date Taken: 09.03.2008
• Date Posted: 09.03.2008 10:21
• Story ID: 23160
• Location: BALAD, IQ