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Keep on Truckin'

Photo By Spc. Anna-Marie Risner | KIRKUK, Iraq (April 17, 2006) -- An Iraqi Army captain conducts a mission brief prior...... read more read more

KIRKUK, IRAQ

04.26.2006

Story by Spc. Anna-Marie Risner

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KIRKUK, Iraq (April 17, 2006) -- Supply lines act as arteries for the military -- supplying personnel with food, water, medical equipment and even mail. For decades, U.S. Forces have relied on logistic units and supply convoys to keep these necessities flowing, and now, Soldiers are passing this knowledge along to the Iraqi Army.

Coalition Soldiers at Kirkuk's K1, a local Iraq Army base, have been training IA forces on convoy operations for running supply routes -- allowing the troops to start getting "beans and bullets" on their own. Today's run was one of the first made with Iraqis driving and pulling security for the entire route.

"It's their first round of going outside the wire," said Marine 1st Lt. Peter Moon, senior security force advisor, 4th Mobile Transportation Regiment. "We're getting their military to work."

Sergeant 1st Class Marcelino Gallegos, battalion maintenance advisor, 4th MTR, said the IA soldiers have been motivated in their training and are excited to make this next move in their development -- a process that has taken some time.

"This regiment started from nothing," Gallegos said. "It's been very rewarding to watch them get to where they are."

Moon noted that while Iraqi troops only went out for a short run, longer trips are planned for the future -- with the goal of IA convoys free of Coalition guidance.

Team members agreed the IA needs to have a system established and be aware of how logistics work within the military.

Many times, said Maj. David McGurk, commander, 4th MTR, the Iraqi Army operated under a "good-ole-boy" system -- being able to acquire needed supplies and equipment simply by asking their friends in higher elements. Part of the soldiers" training, McGurk said, is to learn the correct procedures for obtaining supplies.

With the IA established as a fighting force in Kirkuk, the transition team here is focusing on "polishing up" the units -- as well as maintaining soldier skills -- to create a fine-tuned military force.