FOB Spear auto garage complete and ready for service

MOSUL, IRAQ

09.30.2006

Story by Spc. Richard Vogt 

138th Public Affairs Detachment

by Spc. Rich Vogt
138th MPAD

MOSUL, Iraq (September 30, 2006) – For the Iraqi Army's 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, there is good news regarding vehicle maintenance.

Contractors have just completed work on the brigade's new automotive maintenance facility, a full-service garage on Forward Operating Base Spear, Mosul, Iraq, that will service a fleet of over 50 vehicles.

The garage is the product of the efforts of 2nd Brigade and the 2-2 Military Transition Team that liaises between the Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces.

"If they can get the parts and they know how to do it, they'll do it," said Maj. Michael Kelley, S4 advisor, 2-2 MiTT and native of Madison, Ala.

Earlier in the week, Iraqi mechanics, with the help of mechanics from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division changed a clutch plate on a two-and-a-half ton truck in the motor pool. The Battalion has recently donated six pairs of coveralls for three Iraqi mechanics who work at FOB Spear as well as tools and equipment.

Before the facility was completed, Iraqi mechanics kept all of their equipment in a locked trailer. Needless to say, maintenance was inefficient and slow. Materials were packed tightly in the container so mechanics could not get to the supplies they needed, and, there was no place to work on the vehicles.

"We're going to use one room for tools and another for equipment," said 1st Lt. Hussain Ali Hussain, transportation officer, 2nd Bde., 2nd IA Division.

The new garage has room for three vehicles. There are two trenches in the floor so mechanics can work on the underside of a vehicle. The garage also has a pulley for removing engines. All parts come from Al Kisik, which serves as the main distribution point. Any repairs that cannot be handled at FOB Spear will go to Al Kisik.

In addition to getting a new facility, the 2-2 is also learning about logistics with the assistance from MiTT Soldiers. Kelley praised their efforts. He pointed out that the Iraqis were handling their own fuel requests instead of getting fuel from Coalition Forces, and that they were getting better at submitting requests for food and supplies.

• Date Taken: 09.30.2006
• Date Posted: 10.02.2006 16:18
• Story ID: 7902
• Location: MOSUL, IQ