Photo By Lt. Col. Brett Walker | Spc. Josh Lukkasson, a light-wheeled mechanic assigned to Forward Support Company E,...... read more read more
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By Capt. Brett Walker
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Their garments garnished in grease and soaked in sweat, the wheeled vehicle mechanics of 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment put forth furious effort everyday to ensure pinnacle performance from all of the vehicles in the "Warrior" Battalion, currently deployed to Forward Operating Base Falcon, located in southern Baghdad.
Often times underappreciated and misappropriated by their infantry supervisors, these mechanics do not seek glory or recognition, they are just proud to do their part to support the fight.
"We have each other's back," declared Staff Sgt. Robert Heilig, a wheeled-vehicle mechanic from Arkansas City, Kan., assigned to Forward Support Company E, 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt., attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
Heilig said that his most important job is ensuring the proper installation and continued functionality of vehicular enhancements, such as anti-improvised explosive device technology and air conditioning units.
"We keep the infantry rolling so that they can keep going 'bang-bang,'" Heilig said.
Heilig and his contemporaries in the "Warriors" Bn. Maintenance Bay have managed to dramatically increase the survivability of their battalion's vehicles by installing more than 50 IED-defeat devices, which are designed to mitigate the threat of emerging enemy tactics.
They have also applied considerable efforts to maintain the air conditioning units in each vehicle to prevent Soldiers from overheating in the stifling heat, compounded by flame-resistant uniforms and body armor donned by each infantryman, said Heilig.
Spc. Josh Lukkasson, a wheeled-mechanic, who hails from Covington, Wash., assigned to FSC E, 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt., attached to the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., explained that keeping the infantry Soldiers covered, concealed and moving rapidly is perhaps his most important role.
As a mechanic, Lukkasson said that he holds himself personally responsible for ensuring the integrity of the armor and the capabilities of the engine for each of the vehicles he services.
He also said that he recognizes that the Humvees, and any of the series of the mine resistant ambush protected vehicles, the Soldiers in his battalion drive provide a marked advantage over the Iraqi insurgents, and therefore must be maintained to the best of his abilities.
Another light-wheeled mechanic, Sgt. Kevin Elzy of Louisville, Ken., said that he believes the most important contribution he makes to the fight in Baghdad is "hasty vehicle repair."
In instances where a U.S. Army vehicle becomes immobile because of a mechanical problem or battle damage, members of the Warrior Battalion Mechanic Section are sent forward to repair the vehicle on site or perform a tactical recovery, towing it to a forward base for further repairs, said Elzy, who serves with the FSC E, 1st Bn., 4th Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
Elzy, along with the other mechanics in his unit, attributed the extreme heat, dusty environment and long patrols as catalysts for mechanical complications in Baghdad.
About ten months ago, the mechanics would execute 12 hasty vehicle repair missions each week, but as time progressed and Soldiers across the battalion became more proficient with their equipment, the frequency of hasty repair missions diminished.
"This is not your 4-Wheel Drive to go play with..., but the infantry guys figured it out," said Heilig regarding the improved driving and maintenance capabilities of the line companies.
That is not to say that the mechanics want to stay on the forward operating base, they explained.
"Going out breaks up the monotony of being here," explained Heilig.
"I like going out because it is a totally different world out there," Lukkasson agreed. "It helps me understand why we are here."
Lukkasson also said that he particularly enjoyed a short stint in which he was assigned to mentor mechanics from the Iraqi Army who recently received M1114 high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles.
Lukkasson was selected to teach the Iraqi army how to perform general work necessary to keep the vehicles running.
He developed a particularly close kinship with an Iraqi soldier, who he nicknamed "Geraldo," a jovial man who could take apart absolutely anything and put it back together, said Lukkasson.
The Iraqi soldier also had the curious character quirk of continuously singing the chorus from "Happy Days" all day long.
The Iraqi man did not know any other words to the song, nor did he really even know any English, explained Lukkasson. He just liked the melody of that particular line.
Lukkasson recalls that assignment as being one of the most rewarding experiences during his time in Iraq.
While Lukkasson was teaching the Iraqi soldiers how to maintain Humvees, Heilig and Elzy, along with the mechanics of the 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt., were busy learning the intricacies of a few new vehicles themselves.
A few months ago, the Warrior battalion received a heavy influx of a new series of MRAP vehicles, and according to Elzy, learning to fix and service the new vehicles has been one of the biggest challenges of the deployment.
Elzy elaborated that he and nine other mechanics from 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt. attended a five-day class, which explained some of the basics of MRAP repair.
Additionally, a contact team of service reps from the manufacturer reside on FOB Falcon to assist with any complications that may arise, he said.
Pvt. Kyle Mettler, a light-wheeled mechanic from Mankato, Minn., assigned to 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt., attached to the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Regt., said that the biggest challenge that he has faced was adapting to his role in Iraq.
Unlike most of the mechanics in the Warrior battalion who boast the Military Occupation Specialty of 63B light wheeled mechanic, Mettler is a 52D generator mechanic.
"I work around trucks more than I thought I would," conceded Mettler.
A greater necessity for vehicle mechanics than generator mechanics led to Mettler cross-training to service military vehicles.
The generator mechanic certainly does not mind, explained Mettler, because the assignment that he endured for two months earlier in the deployment, guarding the dining facility, although easy, was unsatisfying.
"I just like working with my hands," explained Mettler, describing the appeal of being a mechanic regardless of whether he is working on a generator or a Humvee.
Most of the mechanics of the Warrior battalion worked on various vehicles ever since their early childhood and continue to do it for a hobby even after a duty day at home station, Fort Polk, La.
"I've been a mechanic since I was seven years old, when I started working on bikes," boasted Heilig, who works on jet skis in his garage every evening when home at Fort Polk.
Lukkasson's father was a mechanic and taught him the trade at a very young age, and Elzy's forearms one of which has a Ford Mustang tattoo and the other of which has an American Muscle Car tattoo tell the story.
Emersion in their element provides a poignant perspective of the simple desires these Soldiers pursue, as they seek achievement of a greater goal - a shared victory as a combined force of interdependent elements.
They are Soldiers first and foremost willing to do whatever it takes to succeed be they at home or forward deployed to Iraq, inside the maintenance bay at FOB Falcon or outside the wire performing tactical recovery.
"We are all Soldiers first, but then we do our other duties," summarized Mettler, amidst a cacophony of consents from the other mechanics.
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.23.2008 12:51 |
| Story ID: | 24045 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 162 |
| Downloads: | 75 |
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