KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Soldiers from Headquarters Support Company, 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade conducted forklift training with soldiers from the Kandahar Air Wing on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 11.
This training allowed ground mechanics of the KAW to learn how to operate three types of forklift.
“The training is very good,” said 1st Sgt. Manwar, motor pool non-commissioned officer in charge, KAW. “The soldiers are doing very well in the training. They are helping one another and are very motivated to do this training.”
Today was the third day of the forklift training class. Since the start of certification training, this is the first forklift training class to be conducted. Eight to 12 soldiers participate each day for the training.
“During Ramazon, the [Afghan] NCOs have started to step up and help direct the soldiers during the training,” said Sgt. Jacob Fry, a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to HSC, 209th ASB, 25th CAB, originally from Saline, Mich. “Before this, they only had a few people that were proficient on the forklifts. This training will allow everyone to receive the knowledge and gain experience to conduct daily operations after we leave.”
With any training class or task to be performed, safety is always the most important aspect. Ground guides were a critical part of the safety for this class.
“The ground guides are used to make sure the forklift operator properly secures the pallets and to make sure the area around them stays safe,” Frey said. “They can use hand and arm signals that they know, just as long as the ground guide and the driver are on the same page.”
As KAW soldiers are being trained in all aspects, they come closer to being able to work independently and being cohesive with other Afghan units.
“This training is very important,” said Manwar. “Once coalition forces withdraw, we will be the ones taking over. We have to be able to go and grab the cargo once it arrives. It is important for our soldiers to have this training.”