Iraqi army takes over Sustainer mission in Anbar

Photo By Spc. Kiyoshi Freeman | Staff Sgt. Wendell Griffin, of Edwards, Miss., a quality control advisor, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 548th Combat Support Sustainment Command, shows Iraqi mechanics how to perform a quality check on a Humvee at the Al Asad Medium Workshop, Camp Mejid, Iraq, Dec. 20, 2008. The Iraqis are currently undergoing intermediate training on Humvee maintenance.  

IRAQ

01.21.2009

Story by Spc. Kiyoshi Freeman 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

By Spc. Kiyoshi Freeman
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Public Affairs

CAMP MEJID, Iraq – After nine months of training, the Repair and Maintenance Company from the Iraqi army's Al Asad Location Command assumed authority over the Al Asad 3rd Line Maintenance Workshop from civilian contractors.

In his speech at the transfer of authority ceremony, Iraqi Lt. Col. Ibrahim, Al Asad Repair and Maintenance Company Commander, thanked the civilians for all their hard work over the past two years maintaining vehicles for the Iraqi army, a $27 million maintenance contract.

Now, however, Ibrahim and his men are responsible for all third line vehicle maintenance – which consists of replacing major items, like transmissions and engines – to sustain IA operations in Anbar province, or western Iraq.

"It's important because it's their first step at becoming self-sufficient," said 1st Lt. Isaura I. Ramirez, the Logistics Training and Advisory Team officer in charge, 69th Transportation Co., from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. "Before, the contractors were running things completely."

A team of logisticians who train and work with their Iraqi counterparts, the LTAT's priority, she went on to say, is to bring the Iraqi mechanics "up to a level where they can maintain their own vehicles." This process – divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced course work – began with the Humvee, which is only one of over 150 makes and models of vehicles in service with the IA.

Since the 371st Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), took on their mentoring mission back in August, the LTAT has contributed approximately 2,880 man hours of training time.

Staff Sgt. Gualberto M. Ramos, the non-commissioned officer in charge, 584th Maintenance Co., 101st Airborne Div., from Fort Campbell, Ky., said the biggest challenges are the language barriers and the experience level of some of the Iraqi students.

"Some of these [IA] soldiers have no mechanical background whatsoever. So we have to take our time, have a lot of patience for them," Ramos said.

Things usually become clearer for the students when they go from classroom instruction to hands-on training, he said.

Before the training regime was instituted, Ibrahim said he had no mechanics who were truly proficient at their jobs. Now, thanks to the efforts of advisors like Ramos, there are 10 mechanics Ibrahim said he could rely on, a figure that will rise as more Iraqis complete training.

Supply, though, is still an obstacle for the Al Asad 3rd Line maintenance Workshop, which has trouble acquiring all of the parts and equipment it needs to be truly self-sufficient, Ibrahim said. An obstacle that is only further compounded by the many vehicles they are required to maintain.

In his speech, Col. Daniel L. Tack, commander, 371st Sustainment Brigade, addressed these concerns and pledged his support, saying the LTAT mission and the 3rd Line maintenance Workshop have become a top priority for him.

"There are more challenges to overcome. But I assure you our LTAT team will be by your side," he said. "Our ultimate goal is handing the full authority over to Iraq."

Even after the training phase is eventually complete, the LTAT will continue its mission in an over watch, advisory capacity, until the Iraqis are truly ready to stand up on their own, Ramirez said.

"With us being here as an advisory team, letting them know how stuff is supposed to be done . . . we can be a little more secure in knowing that once we actually leave Iraq, they're going to be able to self-sustain themselves," Ramos said. "It feels like we're actually making a difference."

• Date Taken: 01.21.2009
• Date Posted: 01.26.2009 02:52
• Story ID: 29253
• Location: IQ