Photo By Sgt. Rodney Foliente | Pfc. Cary Baker, light-wheel mechanic with Company F lubricates a vehicle's grease...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Rodney Foliente
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
COMBAT OUTPOST 4, Iraq – Imagine Soldiers having to walk across Iraq to get to their missions, let alone accomplish them. They would not only have to carry their combat loads, which can be upwards of 80 pounds, but they would also have to carry extra water, food, communications equipment, ammunition, medical supplies, as well as .50 caliber machine guns.
That would be the case if Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division, at Combat Outpost 4 in Diwaniya didn't have their vehicles to rely on. Behind each vehicle, which many Soldiers may take for granted, are the mechanics. Smeared with grease, smudged with grime, they do the dirty work to keep the wheels turning for their fellow Soldiers.
"We've got to put 100 percent into our job because we've got to keep the whole fleet up. If we don't do our job well and if we fail, then our [fellow] Soldiers fail in their missions," said Spc. Marcelo Rodriguez, tank system mechanic attached to Company D, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
"Without us, vehicles wouldn't be working and Soldiers wouldn't be doing patrols and accomplishing their missions," agreed Pfc. Kris Crites, tank mechanic, Company F.
The job of maintenance is extremely important and the unit has no one else to rely upon. Their work contributes significantly to the success of the unit, said Crites, who comes from Arcadia, Fla.
Crites described one of the things he likes best about his job: "I get dirty every day." He grinned, adding, "I like that. I also like to fix things; taking them apart and putting them back together."
His curiosity got him in trouble with his parents since he was 4 years old because he often took apart things the family wanted or needed, continued Crites, with a laugh. When he got older, he joined the Army and continues to do what he has always enjoyed.
"There's pride in knowing you're keeping everything running. The other Soldiers depend on you," said Pfc. Cary Baker, light-wheel mechanic, Company F. Baker comes from Bloomington, Ind.
"I love my job. It's a lot of responsibility on us, but we're up to it. Just one bolt can mess up a lot of things," said Rodriguez, who calls Chicago home. "It's hard work with long hours, but doing something for your Soldiers and your country ... you can't help but feel proud."
| Date Taken: | 02.03.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.03.2009 09:51 |
| Story ID: | 29596 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 245 |
| Downloads: | 211 |
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