Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Valentine | Pfc. Keith Freeman, an air condition technician assigned to Battery Q, 1st Battalion,...... read more read more
BAGHDAD — "I think we should keep these training programs going," said Sgt. Brian Jones. "It is a gateway to keep our friendship open. We can learn more than just welding; we can learn much of each other's cultures."
Jones, a metalworker assigned to Battery Q, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Division—Center, was given the task of instructing several Iraqi army soldiers in vehicle maintenance procedures at Camp Striker March 30.
The Iraqis assigned to the Iraqi FA School at Abu Ghraib attended training sponsored by 1st Bn. The multi-day program instructed the Iraqis on various mechanical maintenance procedures so they could then return to their units and teach others.
One IA soldier, Jabar Edan Al Zuhyri, attended the training to reinforce his knowledge about welding.
Zuhyri once owned a metal shop in which part of his job was to weld. He said he unfortunately had to close his shop and sell most of his equipment. That's when he joined the IA, and has continued to further his knowledge of welding through joint training programs like this one.
"I am very pleased with the treatment I have received, and my instructor was very patient," said Zuhyri. "We cooperated very well together."
Currently, there are no plans to go back and train others, but Zuhyri said he feels confident that, if the need arose, he could effectively train his fellow comrades.
He also believes, with the knowledge he has gained through this partnership, he will someday reopen his shop and fulfill his dream.
The U.S. Soldiers trained another group on air conditioning repair and troubleshooting techniques. Unlike in Zuhyri's case, this group was given the responsibility to return to the Iraqi FA School and train their colleagues.
Pfc. Keith Freeman, an air condition technician assigned to Battery Q, 1st Bn., was lead instructor for the air conditioner portion of the training program.
"It has been very interesting. Not only do they learn from us, we learn from them," said Freeman. "It has been a memorable experience. Not too many people can say they taught Iraqi people how to fix a Humvee."
The training not only helped the Iraqi soldiers learn how to maintain vehicles, it helped maintain friendships created during previous joint-training programs. Stories and jokes were shared in good humor and they discussed the differences between the U.S. and Iraqi armies, including rank, pay and duties.
They also shared a commonality among them, according to Jones.
"Soldiers are soldiers," said Jones. "We have the same job."
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2010 09:13 |
| Story ID: | 47590 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 143 |
| Downloads: | 133 |
This work, Joint training maintains vehicles, friendships, by SFC Phillip Valentine, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT