Courtesy Photo | Camp Liberty, Iraq – Sgt. Roberta Craigo (right), light wheel vehicle mechanic, 16th...... read more read more
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — Soldiers from the 6th Iraqi Army Division gained critical maintenance and maneuverability experience during driver's training classes conducted throughout August by their Shadow program partners in Multi-National Division – Baghdad's 16th Engineer Brigade.
Nearly 80 IA soldiers attended one of four three-day classes created and taught by the brigade's motor pool section, which provides them an opportunity to gain experience in maintaining and operating M1025 and M1026 humvees, which will eventually be fielded to the Iraqi army units.
The program is an on-going partnership between the 16th Eng. Bde. and the 6th IAD, designed to further train and integrate the IA soldiers while paving the way for future combined missions. The driver's training is just one of many training events and joint projects included in the program, which commenced in July and runs through September 2006.
"The class was a familiarization course rather than a traditional licensing course as nearly 30 percent of the IA Soldiers going through the classes had no prior driving experience in any type of vehicle," explained Master Sgt. David Slusher, the brigade's maintenance operations Sergeant and a native of Mason, Ohio.
The training itself consisted of basic vehicle operation, such as starting the vehicle, turning on headlights, using seat belts, and conducting Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services training.
The IA students also received instruction in ground-guide procedures, changing tires, towing a disabled vehicle with a tow bar and approximately four hours of actual driving time per soldier.
"There were a few challenges – mainly the language barrier," said Slusher. "These issues required us to make the training as hands-on as possible."
To help overcome the challenges, Sgt. Carol Phillips, 16th Eng. Bde., who is a native of Westchester, Ohio, created a video of the instructors performing each of the training tasks.
"The video was great and really helped the IA students grasp the material, and it cancelled out the language differences," said Slusher.
Safety was the most critical aspect emphasized by the instructors, who emphasized that by using seat belts, correct ground guide procedures and safety gear, such as gloves and eye protection, the soldiers could greatly reduce the number soldiers lost to injury.
"PMCS was important also to help them realize its better to find and correct their vehicle faults before they leave their Forward Operating Base as no one wants to change a flat tire in downtown Baghdad," Slusher said. "Once they understood that safety and proper maintenance keeps more soldiers in the fight, they were all for it."
The IA soldiers were enthused by the confidence and training they gained during the course and they look forward to receiving the humvees in the future, said Capt. Luis Gonzales, 6th IAD Military Transition Team member.
"Driver's training was a very critical part and the staring point of a rigorous thirty-day training to prepare the Iraqi soldiers to conduct independent operations in Baghdad," he said. "Most of these IAs had never driven a car before and here we are showing them how to operate a humvee. After completion of the training, they felt prepared to conduct their mission in an armored humvee platform."
The students indicated the driver's training prepared them for future success in many ways.
"The driver's training was very good. Now when I drive the streets in Iraq, I'll know how to do it safely," said an IA student.
"This training is something new for the Iraqi army and reflects how far our soldiers and military have come," added a fellow soldier. "The humvees are new to us but the changes are definitely better and the training will help."
The safety focus and maintenance training helps prepare the soldiers for future operations, said Capt. Mohammed, ordnance disposal officer, 6th IAD.
"The humvees are good vehicles and now that we can safely operate them, we're looking forward to having them," he said. "The vehicles and the training will make our missions easier because when our soldiers get in them, they now know how to take care of them and will be much safer."
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 08.28.2006 11:51 |
| Story ID: | 7556 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 650 |
| Downloads: | 564 |
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