KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade mechanics conducted a maintenance training session with mechanics from the 205th Corps, Afghan National Army at the motor pool on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, March 8.
The joint maintenance training was performed in order to build upon the skill and experience of Afghan soldiers with the goal of them gaining enough experience to eventually perform maintenance independently.
“It is really good to work with the coalition forces,” said Afghan Sgt. Mohammad Rajab. “I get the experience I need to complete the tasks successfully from these training sessions.”
During this training session, Rajab and Afghan Pvt. Monwar got hands-on experience with forklift cooling systems while working to replace the fuel injector pump.
“Since the 25th CAB started this training with 205th Corps mechanics, they have improved considerably,” said Capt. Andrew Schlaf, Headquarters Support Company Commander, 209th ASB. “The mechanics had the knowledge to perform certain tasks; we aid them in applying the knowledge so they gain the experience needed to continue their own operations.”
The first day of training is the conceptualization of the different systems on multiple vehicles. The intent is to have the ANA mechanics visualize or troubleshoot the vehicle as a whole and not just a specific section or system. The second day is the check-on learning when they apply what they learned using the hands-to-brain concept.
“While working with coalition forces, I have the opportunity to learn something new each day,” said Rajab. “Not only do I learn something from them, but they learn something from us too in each session.”
The training event was one more step toward building confidence and independence in the soldiers of Afghan army.
“The ANA mechanics have come a long way from the beginning,” said Belgian Senior Master Sgt. Bart Verhoeven, ANA logistics mentor with European Participating Air Forces. “Now, they are really close to being able to conduct maintenance operations without help from coalition forces.”