Photo By Spc. Allison Churchill | Pittsburgh native Spc. Patrick Armstrong, power generation repairer, Co. B, 589th...... read more read more
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Seven Iraqi soldiers are learning how to repair generators in preparation for the handover of the joint security stations in Wasit province.
Generator mechanics from the ground support equipment section, Company B, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade are teaching the class in the company's motor pool.
"They've absorbed six months of training in a few days," said Sgt. 1st Class Vernon Watson, GSE non-commissioned officer in charge.
The training began on March 12 with classroom-style courses. The Iraqis quickly moved to hands-on training using several inoperable control boxes and generator parts in the shop.
"Once you tear a piece of equipment apart you get to see how it operates," said Watson, of Brookhaven, Miss.
"We were able to show them on actual generators where wires go," said Watson. They also learned how to troubleshoot, perform preventative maintenance checks and services and perform voltage checks. "Instead of us telling them a battery is bad, they can use the battery load tester."
The Iraqis picked up the fine details of the generators so quickly Watson expanded the class to other services the GSE shop provides, such as vehicle air conditioning repair and welding.
"They were willing to learn, very excited about it, and asked a lot of questions," said Spc. Daniel Britton, a ground support engineer and air conditioner technician, from Fort Worth, Texas.
"We got good information about generators – and we are having fun with this class," said Sub-sergeant Yasim of 3rd Battalion, 32nd Iraqi Army Brigade.
The Co. B Soldiers are also working with the 8th Motorized Transportation Regiment to ensure the new generators going to the JSSs will have back-up parts when maintenance becomes necessary, said Capt. Jarod Shelton, Co. B commander.
The Ashland, Mo., native also said the lesson plans will be available to Soldiers at the JSSs so they can teach their Iraqi partners if they can't come to FOB Delta for the class.
| Date Taken: | 03.17.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 03.17.2009 11:40 |
| Story ID: | 31257 |
| Location: | AL KUT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 258 |
| Downloads: | 239 |
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