Courtesy Photo | Army Sgt. Anourack Bui, Special Troops Battalion, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, practices...... read more read more
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by Army Spc. Beatrice Florescu-Vila Verde
MNC-I PAO
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - The Task Force Phantom battalion motor pool keeps units on Victory Camp moving and ready for their missions. Motor pool Soldiers and civilians repair anything from add-on armor to safety items for various combat situations. They like their jobs because it allows them to see the results of their work.
"As a battalion motor pool sergeant, I disperse the workload and let the Soldiers know what needs to get fixed to go out," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Vaughn Smith, a light wheel mechanic with Special Troops Battalion, TF Phantom, Multi-National Corps-Iraq.
The motor pool staff is responsible for reporting non-mission capable vehicles, services due, dispatches and parts received for trucks that must go out the same day.
"Some days I go around trying to find parts because (the troops) have a mission, and we may have to stay here until 8 p.m. Sometimes, we are on call," he said.
The personnel understand that this is a "bigger picture" than just company level, as it would be back at home.
Here there are 177 vehicles tracked daily, in addition to repairs needed by the Marines, Air Force and Navy.
"You have to be flexible. When a truck gets in at 6 p.m. for a job that takes three to four hours, I immediately go looking for parts because there is a mission early next morning," Smith said.
Army Spc. Brad Myers, a mechanic from Fort Shafter, Hawaii, attached to the motor pool, said he likes working with III Corps and has worked with V Corps before as well.
"It's something different every day and that is why I like my job. Sometimes we have to work long hours and it's hard work too," Myers said. "Since III Corps came along, I have a day off every week."
Army Sgt. 1st Class Yvonne Thomas, a truck driver and drivers' training sergeant with 16 years' experience is another part of the team. She likes working with people and enjoys the outdoors, she said.
"I love being outside, among people and vehicles and I think my job is fun," Thomas said. "I like my job. If I didn't I would have to get out. The team I work with is great. We all get along and we have fun together."
The tool room supervisor and air conditioning technician ensures tools are functional and vehicles have functional air conditioning. Army Spc. Jacob Wyrick, STB, MNC-I, likes his job because he helps ensure the vehicles they perform maintenance on are up to standard and troops who go outside the wire can count on their vehicles.
"I think it's awesome to be part of a team that supports MNC-I, Multi-National Forces-Iraq and the entire VBC (Victory Base Complex)," Wyrick said.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2007 02:27 |
| Story ID: | 10850 |
| Location: | CAMP VICTORY, IQ |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 67 |
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