Greywolf mechanics share tricks of the trade with Iraqi Police counterparts

Photo By Spc. Sharla Lewis | Spc. Matt Wheeler, a mechanic with B Field Maintenance Company, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and a native of Lynnwood, Wash., instructs Iraqi policemen with the 4th Emergency Response Battalion on installing a differential in an M1151 Humvee. Hosted by B Company, the IPs will use this training to maintain their own vehicles as U.S. forces have withdrawn from operations within Mosul.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

08.12.2009

Story by Spc. Sharla Lewis 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

MOSUL, Iraq — B Field Maintenance Company, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and the 4th Emergency Response Battalion, Ninewa Provincial Police conducted Humvee maintenance training Aug. 12 on a Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul.

The IP, who operate non-military vehicles at their units, attended the training to improve their maintenance techniques and procedures. Staff Sgt. Dolly Mast said that the police were motivated to get started as soon as they arrived.

"We wanted to do a walk-around with them at the beginning of the class and they wanted to jump right in and start tearing stuff apart right away, so they're definitely motivated," Mast said.

The sounds of an auto mechanics garage filled the air as IPs learned to use an impact wrench to tighten the lug nuts of the M1151 Humvee and interpreters were on their toes with mechanical jargon.

Soldiers with B Company trained the police on many aspects of the vehicles to prepare them for working on unfamiliar vehicles, making them a valuable and more versatile asset to their unit.

"We taught them how to troubleshoot the generator, drop a transmission and a differential," Mast said. "These Humvees are a lot different than the vehicles that they're used to working on so it's a great learning experience for them."

Brig. Gen. Kha'dar Ahmead Salow, the provincial police chief of maintenance, visited the site to observe the training.

"Soon, the coalition will not be here, so this training will allow my staff to fix the Humvees without relying on coalition help," he said.

Training like this is meant to provide a sustainable, Iraqi-driven support system after U.S. forces have withdrawn from Iraq.

• Date Taken: 08.12.2009
• Date Posted: 08.15.2009 03:40
• Story ID: 37526
• Location: MOSUL, IQ