Work never ceases for mechanics in Afghanistan

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Tyler Meister | Spc. Thomas Tillery, generator mechanic of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, pulls the heavy generator wire to establish a new electrical grid Aug. 14 at Combat Outpost Pashmul South in Zharay district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Tillery maintained a humble attitude during the long strenuous days and enjoyed expanding his knowledge of the trade.  

ZHARAY DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN

08.14.2012

Story by Spc. Tyler Meister 

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii)

ZHARAY DISTRICT, Afghanistan - When you are the only generator and air conditioner mechanics in a country where triple-digit temperatures constantly bake the ground, work doesn’t cease.

Spcs. Thomas Tillery and Luke Schrader, generator and air conditioner mechanics in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, are continually traveling throughout Kandahar province fixing equipment.

Both of them recently spent a week at Combat Outpost Pashmul South repairing what seemed to be every generator and air conditioner at the outpost.

“After Tillery and I got to Pashmul South, we received a logbook of roughly 30 air conditioners and four generators that needed to be fixed,” said Schrader, a native of Harrisburg, Pa.

With a long list of equipment needing attention, both mechanics quickly got to work. In two short days, Schrader was able to fix about 20 of the air conditioners and Tillery repaired one generator and diagnosed the problems in another.

Both Tillery and Schrader said that many of the problems stem from improper use by operators.

“Many soldiers try to fix the generators themselves,” said Tillery, native of Tacoma Wash. “That sometimes helps, but can cause more problems that I have to figure out on top of the initial issues.”
Schrader explained that Pashmul South was a difficult work site because all of the air conditions there were “fried.” They were damaged by built-up dust and dirt he said.

“Most of the AC issues are resolved after a simple cleaning,” Schrader said.

The demand for their expertise was so high that it became difficult for the two mechanics to get a full night’s sleep without other soldiers requesting their expertise.

In total, Schrader repaired about 30 air conditioners and gave the soldiers living in Pashmul South some valuable advice on unit maintenance.

Tillery built, repaired and diagnosed three generators and established a new electrical grid. He also provided tips on maintaining the generators.

“I haven’t seen a day where there aren’t any ACs to fix,” Schrader said. “I haven’t had a day off since the deployment started, but someone’s got to do it.”

• Date Taken: 08.14.2012
• Date Posted: 08.25.2012 04:52
• Story ID: 93802
• Location: ZHARAY DISTRICT, AF