BALAD, Iraq -- Electricity, an important resource, is a vital part of daily life.
Soldiers attached to the 20th Engineer Brigade (Prime Power), and airmen, a part of Iraqi training and advisory mission, have developed and conducted the first class of the Prime Power Academy at the Ali Air Base power training facility with 34 Iraqi students from Iraqi air force and army.
“The power academy is a joint effort between the 20th Engineer Brigade, 249th Engineer Battalion, and Iraqi training and advisory mission,” said Sgt. Jessie Correia, a power line distribution specialist and power academy instructor, Company D, 249th Eng. Bn. “The goal for this school is to get the students able to sustain themselves and their power,” he said.
“The Iraqis currently don’t run power plants like this. They’re only accustomed to running spot generators, so the whole concept of a power plant is a new concept to them,” said Sgt. Kenneth Lewis, the power academy noncommissioned officer in charge and a controls engineer, Company D. “They don’t have the abilities to do that, so we’re trying to give them that baseline.”
The academy is a 30-day course consisting of academic and hands-on training. Students are instructed in three critical areas: operations, maintenance and electrical distribution.
“The first two weeks of the class were all academics where we taught subjects such as electrical theory to basic engine operations and theory,” said Lewis, a native of Williamsburg, Va. “We went on and taught them other topics like lock out, tag out, fire safety rescue, as well as (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).”
Correia, a native of Fall River, Mass., said that the students received very high scores during the testing of the classroom phase and because of that, they were ready to move forward to the field.
The class then moved to the hands-on portion of the training, where students would partake in various training such as conducting preventive maintenance checks, repairs and services on generators as well as basic pole setting procedures.
“This training will be able to provide a stable power for their bases to function as well as providing the foundation for all of Iraq because they’ll be able to take out this training to the communities and other cities,” said 2nd Lt. Tasia Tindle, operations officer in charge of ITAM Detachment 4, and a native of Shreveport, La.
Sergeant William Davenport, a prime power production specialist and power academy instructor, Company D, based out of Camp Liberty, Iraq, jumped at the opportunity to participate in the class when his leadership asked if he wanted to stay in Iraq longer.
“I originally took part in the fact finding process with my leadership back in October-November when we were trying to figure out the best way to train qualified Iraqis to take over the power plants after U.S. forces leave Iraq. This power academy is the result of that,” he said.
Davenport said the most beneficial part of this academy for him is teaching the safety portions.
“Working with and around energized, electrical devices is extremely dangerous,” said Davenport, a native of Baltimore. “Carelessness often leads to loss and life and or severe injuries especially at the high voltage level. I preach safety, safety, safety to the class on a daily basis because I want everyone to go home to their families at the end of the work day safe and in one piece.”
When it came to the most challenging part of the academy, the language barrier became a common issue throughout.
“Trying to make sure we use the proper terminology and explain things in a way the entire class can understand is sometimes difficult and time consuming,” said Davenport. “The students come from a variety of different backgrounds and skill sets as well.”
Overall, instructors have received, positive feedback from the students, which has allowed them to appreciate their part in this academy.
“I think this was a great experience, I have enjoyed this class immensely and I’m getting a lot out it,” said Lewis. “They’re fun to teach, they enjoy it and a lot of these guys have some experience but a lot of them have none, so I enjoy teaching them,” he said.
“I think that I can return home knowing … that I’ve positively impacted the U.S. mission here and that I’ve helped the people of Iraq,” said Davenport. “It feels good being able to share my … knowledge knowing that these students will go out and be successful and also be able to teach and mentor others.”
With the engineers of the 249th coming up on the end of their tour in Iraq, they will leave knowing the impact they have made for the country and their contribution in making the U.S. and Iraqi partnership stronger.
“I’m at the end of my tour right now and I’ve already extended to stay here and finish this class,” said Lewis. “I thought this was a great opportunity, I think this is a really good thing we’re doing here.”
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.17.2011 10:38 |
| Story ID: | 70529 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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