CAMP TAJI, Iraq " As the temperatures soar under an unforgiving Iraqi sky, Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, are constantly looking for a little relief from the scorching sun of Camp Taji.
That's where the Ground Support Equipment Section of Company B, 4th Support Battalion, comes in; it is their mission to fix air conditioners.
"We support mainly the 4th Support Battalion, but STB (1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st BCT) and 1-66 (1st Bn., 66th Armor Regiment, 1st BCT) don't have any AC guys, so they depend on us too," said Staff Sgt. Jeff Tremusini, non-commissioned officer in charge of the section. "For a while, we were getting a lot of business because when it starting getting hot, people realized they needed to get their ACs fixed quickly. But now, it's tapered down to a couple of repairs a day."
With the first day of summer only a few days in the rear view mirror, Soldiers of the brigade have to contend with many days of blistering heat.
In addition, the up-armored humvees that troops take off the camp are not equipped with roll down windows due to potential terrorist threats. So, mix in the heat outside, a broken down AC in an enclosed vehicle and Soldiers wearing all their protective gear, some may feel like a Thanksgiving turkey roasting inside an oven all day.
"The MPs (Military Police) love us," said Pfc. John Dydasco, quartermaster and chemical repair. "The best part of my job is working on the AC lines because it's fun. For one, it's a job I can do myself, and number two, I have the satisfaction of knowing I fixed that truck. I worked on a few ACs before I got in the Army, but now I can fix any AC thanks to the Army training me."
The biggest problem the section sees with vehicle ACs are the compressors, belts and lines. The heat of the day causes pressure to build up in the lines, which causes the AC compressor to blow. Also rubber, which many parts are made of, doesn't do well for very long in prolonged periods of extreme heat.
"Nobody really thinks about their ACs until theirs go out, because if it's 100 degrees outside it's 120 degrees inside and with all that stuff on (personnel protective equipment), its worse," said Spc. Kevin Mateika, AC and heating repairman. "I'm not saying I'm saving lives, but I'm definitely making their lives better.
| Date Taken: |
06.28.2006 |
| Date Posted: |
06.28.2006 14:03 |
| Story ID: |
6992 |
| Location: |
TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: |
150 |
| Downloads: |
29 |
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