Photo By Staff Sgt. David Strayer | Iraqi army soldiers of 5th Iraqi Army Division conduct preventive maintenance checks...... read more read more
KIRKUSH MILITARY TRAINING BASE, Iraq – Soldiers of 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division assisted 5th Iraqi Army Division and Iraqi Ministry of Defense members in the improvement of logistics systems at Kirkush Military Training Base, Diyala province, Iraq, May 7.
U.S. forces started a vehicle training initiative with Iraqi soldiers in February as a way to test logistical skills with practical exercises during Tadreeb al Shamil, an Iraqi army initiative focused on collective unit training and modernizing Iraq’s ground forces.
During Tadreeb al Shamil, Arabic for all inclusive training, instructors provide training on infantry and critical support skills during month-long training cycles.
“The main reason that we started the Tadreeb Al Shamil sustainment training, like the vehicle maintenance course, was essentially to troubleshoot the Iraqi army logistics system when it comes to getting things like replacement parts,” said Maj. Rasheed Muwwakkil, Iraqi Security Forces logistics advisor, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd AAB, 25th Inf. Div.
Muwwakkil said instructors chose the High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle because of the relative abundance of the vehicles within Iraqi units and the immediate benefits maintenance training could have.
The training serves to not only evaluate Iraqi logistical systems for requesting and receiving replacement vehicle parts, but also educates the IA soldiers on improving maintenance on vehicle fleets.
Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Wussow, 2nd AAB master gunner and member of the Kirkush Transition Team, said the drivers and maintenance class is a recent addition to the Tadreeb al Shamil course at KMTB.
All the Iraqi soldiers who conduct vehicle operator training will also learn basic maintenance skills to diversify skills, Wussow said.
Iraqi Security Forces began widespread use of the humvee after working alongside U.S. forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
“Now we require every unit that comes to KMTB for a training rotation to bring all of their humvees with them,” said Muwwakkil. “It doesn’t matter whether they are running or not; whether they have to push or pull them to the training center, we require that they bring them all.”
Bringing vehicles that actually need maintenance and new parts serves the practical purpose of the course, he added.
Iraqi soldiers conducting the vehicle maintenance course learn all levels of operator level maintenance, including preventive maintenance checks and services, and recognizing and cataloging vehicle defaults.
“After a PMCS by the manual, which includes listing any vehicle defaults, we have the second and third level maintenance guys come in and verify the faults,” said Muwwakkil. “That’s when we start to be able to get into the logistics piece of the equation.”
The Iraqi army currently uses a manual system of submitting paper forms and getting stamped approval for replacement parts requisition and distribution.
U.S. forces are assisting the IA to transition to an online, automated system that is more accessible and efficient.
“In the past, a request form for something like replacement humvee parts could sit on a desk for a month awaiting an approval stamp,” said Muwwakkil. “The automated system allows the parts request to be input on a computer and transferred to the approval authorities at the MOD with a thumb-drive. It simplifies the process.”
Muwwakkil added that from rotation to rotation there has been a drastic improvement with each new group of the IA’s ability to provide their own logistical support to soldiers.
Logistical expertise gleaned from training at KMTB will be put to the test later this year during Operation Iron Lion, a provincial capstone event showcasing the ISF’s capabilities.
"They will be handling all of their own logistics for Operation Iron Lion,” said Muwwakkil. “We will be there to assist them with any issues that may arise and help them solve any problems that occur, but they will be coordinating and handling everything. It will be big a step in the right direction.”
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2011 10:12 |
| Story ID: | 71757 |
| Location: | KIRKUSH MILITARY TRAINING BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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