Made from scratch

Photo By Master Sgt. Kevin McSwain | Spc. Randy McGraw of the 99th Movement Control Team makes final measurements before securing the wood together to build a night stand.  

BALAD, IRAQ

11.27.2006

Story by Sgt. Kevin McSwain 

210th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

by Sgt. Kevin McSwain
210th MPAD

LSA ANACONDA, Iraq - Towel racks, clothes racks, and weapon racks — these are just a few things servicemembers are able to build for themselves at the Director of Public Works Self-Help yard here.

"The yard is here to help Soldiers improve their personal quarters," said Staff Sgt. Abel Huihui, DPW Self-Help yard NCOIC.

Huihui, a Reserve Soldier from Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is a carpentry and masonry supervisor with the 657th Area Support Group. The yard has a wide variety of supplies and shops to accommodate servicemembers as they work on their individual projects.

"The only limitation in the yard is the imagination of the person," he said. "We supply the tools on site for almost any project and the Soldiers on duty will give advice to anyone looking for help," he said.

In addition to supplying tools, the yard will also supply servicemembers with protective equipment.

"We have safety goggles on site but the ballistic shades or goggles all Soldiers were issued are acceptable," Huihui said.

Servicemembers are given the choice to either work on their project on site or take certain tools with them and finish it at another location.

"We have a carpentry shop that lends tools to servicemembers that want to stay in the yard and work on their projects and there is also a small work area inside the shop," he said. "And for servicemembers that want to work on their project somewhere else, the tool shop will allow Soldiers to borrow tools."

Huihui said that before a servicemember can borrow a tool, they must meet a few requirements.

"Anyone wanting to borrow tools will have to fill out a notice of delegation of authority-receipt for supplies (DA From 1687)," he said. "In addition to the form, Soldiers have to get an "Assumption of Command" letter from their unit commander."

Once a servicemember is eligible to borrow tools, they are able to use the tools for no more than two days at a time.

Located inside the tool shop is a paint shop where servicemembers can receive paint for their projects.

"Soldiers are able to get three gallons or spray cans of paint per unit per day," Huihui said.

He said the restrictions on paint and tools are enforced to ensure everyone is able to get their fair share of the resources. The restrictions in the electrical shop on the other hand, are for the safety of everyone on base.

"Electrical supplies are only given to certified electrical technicians to insure the safety of all servicemembers, if you are not a technician, the only thing you can get out of the shop is a light bulb," he said.

Huihui said the hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday through Thursday. Those with questions can call DSN 443-6151 or 443-6155.

• Date Taken: 11.27.2006
• Date Posted: 11.27.2006 13:50
• Story ID: 8396
• Location: BALAD, IQ