14th Engineer Battalion and Iraqi army Maintenance Sections Weld a Partnership

TALLIL, IRAQ

04.03.2009

Courtesy Story

555th Engineer Brigade

By 1st Lt. Jessica Davila
Forward Support Company, 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – On Feb. 25, 2009, the Forward Support Company of the 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade had the honor of hosting several Iraqi army Soldiers in their motorpool for a fun-filled morning of educational partnership.

Iraqi army maintenance Soldiers Ahmed Yasir Dakil (Motor Sergeant), Dafir Yasir Hasain, Ali Abdul Husain Hadod, and Hasan Hatim Muzail from the Iraqi 10th Field Engineer Regiment at adjacent Camp Dhi Qar came to conduct command maintenance with the company.

While the U.S. Soldiers got busy with repairs, FSC's motor sergeant, SSG Maria Moreno of Spanaway, Wash., led the Iraqi army Soldiers on a tour of the motorpool explaining the methods of their daily operations and highlighting some of their more effective techniques. Their Iraqi counterparts offered some of their insights as well. SSG Moreno described how impressed she was with their "ingenious techniques" to meet their maintenance missions despite the recurring supply shortages that hamper their operations.

She went on to say "they may not have the parts to replace, but they are still able to rebuild to meet their needs." The morning concluded with a question and answer session between American and Iraqi Soldiers. The interaction allowed the FSC Soldiers the opportunity to understand and obtain feedback for future visits in hopes of continuing to build a strong foundation for the partnership.

One goal of FSC, 14th EN BN is to assist the Iraqi army maintenance section in becoming a stronger and more capable maintenance team that will continuously improve their quality of service for the 10th Field Engineer Regiment. FSC will accomplish this by working side by side with the Iraqi army maintenance Soldiers, developing self-directed work teams to encourage their initiative and development. FSC will strive to meet these goals though future visits/training partnerships with Camp Dhi Qar Iraqi army maintenance Soldiers.

The Soldiers of the FSC, maintenance platoon look forward to future Iraqi army partnership visits in the motorpool. SPC Elving Ellis of Baytown, Texas, says he can't wait to "change brakes, and grease bearings" with them. He expressed his interest by saying "I like the idea that we get to teach the way we do things."

The whole platoon enjoys the continuous exchange of techniques and learning experiences with the Iraqi army maintenance Soldiers. This intercultural partnership has been a significant experience for the Soldiers of the platoon during their 15-month deployment, one to remember and share with their families.

• Date Taken: 04.03.2009
• Date Posted: 04.03.2009 04:43
• Story ID: 31941
• Location: TALLIL, IQ