Photo By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham | Tech. Sgt. Bobby McKenzie, 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron aircraft...... read more read more
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq – Imagine trying to teach someone how to perform a very complex task when they have no formal training. Now picture accomplishing this when you don't even speak the same language.
This is the task at hand for many aircraft structural maintenance Airmen from the 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, but for them it's not just about teaching, it's also about learning.
"When we first arrived there was a huge language barrier, but over time we have made progress in teaching the Iraqis aircraft maintenance," said Tech. Sgt. Jim Grifasi, 321st AEAS metals technician advisor. "We have also learned a lot about how to teach them."
The advisors concluded that the best way to teach the Iraqis the intricate tasks of aircraft structural maintenance was to let their counterparts do the teaching for them.
"We decided to teach the ones who could speak English, the ones we could communicate with, and then let them teach their own," said Grifasi, who is deployed from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
The experimental teaching process has been an enormous success, according to Tech. Sgt. Bobby McKenzie, 321st AEAS aircraft structural maintenance advisor.
"Not only are the Iraqis learning how to do their job, but they are even using American written technical orders to accomplish tasks," for example, he said, "I came in one day and one of them noticed a part was missing. So he took it upon himself to interpret the T.O., order the part and use the Iraqi supply system to get the part delivered."
Not only are the advisors teaching the Iraqis how to perform their day-to-day jobs, but according to McKenzie, they are also teaching them the importance of running a successful shop.
"We have an Iraqi major and we are trying to make him realize that he is the boss and he needs to make decisions that are in the best interest of his shop," said the Manchester, Tenn., native.
"We are also promoting pride in the workplace and the importance of a clean work space," added Grifasi, who is originally from Buffalo, N.Y.
The Iraqi maintainers have come full circle since these advisors arrived more than six months ago, but they said it was their dedication that impressed them the most.
"One of our guys had a baby girl recently and when we worked it out so he could go and see her for the first time, he said, 'if you can stay here for a year away from your family to teach me, then I can wait a few more days to see my daughter.' That's how dedicated these guys are," said McKenzie.
These two advisors said it has been difficult at times but all in all, they feel like they are making a difference.
"It has been a very rewarding experience," said McKenzie. "I have just focused every bit of energy on teaching the Iraqis as much as possible and making friends."
"I told my commander that if I don't do something that truly makes a difference in changing their life, then I have wasted the last year of mine," added Grifasi.
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2009 00:59 |
| Story ID: | 30300 |
| Location: | SATHER AIR BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 288 |
| Downloads: | 265 |
This work, Airmen learn, teach Iraqi aircraft maintenance, by SSgt Tim Beckham, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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