Afghan Army mechanics work to keep fleet moving

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

11.14.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army and U.S. Army mechanics are teaming up to get more than 250 battle worn Humvees in Camp Hero back on the road.

The vehicles are part of a fleet purchased by Afghan National Army from the U.S. Marine Corps.

All require minor repairs as a result of battle wear and exposure to the elements.

The U.S. Army mechanics from the 598th Maintenance Company, 1225 Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, are working with Afghan mechanics from the ANA 205 Corps out of Camp Hero located nearby Kandahar Airfield in the Kandahar province.

While some of the vehicles will need more intensive repairs, most just require basic maintenance including replacement of filters, batteries, fluids, brakes and light bulbs.

"The typical job is just wear and tear on trucks. Tires, breaks, fluids, mainly just a lot of little things that can cause bigger problems down the road," said Spc. Joseph Ingram, a wheeled vehicle mechanic. "It's a challenge to get the trucks going and then finding out what exactly what is wrong with them."

While there is a company contracted with vehicle maintenance nearby in Camp Hero, the amount is more than the company can handle alongside regular business.

However, what was a problem has turned into a learning opportunity. A team of five mechanics, including Ingram, works to get these vehicles operational and to pass vehicle maintenance and basic repair skills onto 12 ANA mechanics.

"At first they thought we were going to fix all the vehicles for them. After their leadership took control and the interpreters passed to them the intent of this mission we dispelled that. They are really active, enjoying working in groups and the challenge of getting a vehicle up to operational speed," said 2nd Lt. Julian Petty, 598th maintenance control officer. "It's working out pretty well. It was originally a thirty-day mission but with 250 vehicles to go, it's going to be a lengthy process and will probably last the duration of our deployment."

The Afghan mechanics come from different maintenance companies in several brigades of the 205 Corps. At many different mechanical competency levels, some are learning for the first time, some have joined the team with a couple of months of training and a few are skilled mechanics.

Currently the combined crew can crank out two to three Humvees a day.

"They seem excited to learn new things especially learning to be self sufficient instead of relying on others," said Ingram. "They are smart and more than capable of doing it. They like working on the trucks but have to practice and refine their skills.

With repairs just starting, the combined crew has only cranked out six Humvees so far. With so many left to fix, the mechanics will have plenty of opportunity to practice what they are learning and even acquire new skills from vehicles that require more extensive repairs.

• Date Taken: 11.14.2010
• Date Posted: 11.14.2010 05:57
• Story ID: 60093
• Location: KABUL, AF