Posted on 05/07/2009 4:58:18 PM PDT by SandRat
CAMP WESSAM, Iraq — Far to the southeast of the primary U.S. Marine Corps presence in Iraq’s Al Anbar province lies Camp Wessam, home of the 14th Iraqi Army Division and their U.S. Marine Corps advisors, Military Transition Team 14.
MiTT-14 has supported the 14th division since April by advising them on tactical and logistical decision making.
Among the Iraqi soldiers, U.S. Marine advisors and the U.S. Army support element that inhabit the joint Iraqi Army-Coalition base, three Marines from 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) have found themselves operating far from the rest of 2nd MLG (Fwd) and supporting a mission few will have the privilege of experiencing.
Staff Sgt. Brandon M. Boland, Sgt. Jason M. Watts and Cpl. Jack T. Campbell had little notice before they left their parent unit 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd MLG (Fwd), at Camp Al Taqaddum, to provide logistical and equipment maintenance support for the MiTT, which at the time was attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division (designated MiTT 0110), at Camp Ali, in Ar Ramadi.
Not knowing when they might leave, the Marines quickly gathered their gear and stood by to depart to Al Anbar’s provincial capital.
“We got about a week’s notice that we could go any minute,” said Boland, an electrician for the MiTT who previously was the Organics Chief, Maintenance Company, 2nd Supply Battalion. “We would be sitting at the office until about 7:00 p.m. every day to see if there was a flight.”
The Marines finally received word that they would be departing to Ramadi via convoy the next day and after the brief ride to Camp Ali and a warm welcome from the MiTT, discovered that they would be joining the team just in time for their move to Camp Wessam near the southern Iraqi city of Basrah.
The advisory role for Iraqi Security Forces in the Basrah region had recently transferred from British to American authority in preparation for the withdrawal of British forces from Iraq, and prompted the transfer of MiTT 0110 to Camp Wessam where they were re-designated MiTT 14.
The Marines, now temporarily assigned to the MiTT, embarked on a convoy to Camp Victory, in Iraq’s capital city of Baghdad where they stayed for three days before leaving on an 18-hour convoy to the Basrah area.
Campbell, a mechanic for the MiTT who previously served in Maintenance Company, 2nd Supply Battalion, explained that the first days with the MiTT were very eye-opening and that the unit was very easy to work with.
“Right off the bat [the team] came out and let us know that we were welcome,” he said.
“I felt really good,” he continued. “I was very happy to come out and try something different.
He also said that joining the MiTT provided him with opportunities he was not able to take advantage of on his previous deployment to Camp Al Taqaddum.
“I actually got to interact with Iraqis,” he said. “It has been a real learning experience.”
Along with making repairs on the MiTT’s vehicles, Campbell, who has earned the nickname “Stretch” for his tall and lanky build, has also been able to assist the team in their primary role of advising the 14th IA Division, by teaching classes on vehicle maintenance to IA soldiers.
“Just from the mechanics I have talked to, I have learned more about the Iraqi culture and more about how the IA is run,” he said. “I have noticed similarities in the Iraqi mechanics and how we run our (military occupational specialty).”
Campbell, who is also known around the team for his extraordinary work ethic, expressed gratitude toward the Iraqi soldiers’ desire to better their skills.
“They are just so eager to learn,” he stated. “I like going in there and talking to people who want to know instead of just feeding them knowledge.”
Watts, an electrical equipment repair specialist from Engineer Ordnance Platoon, Maintenance Company, 2nd Supply Battalion, shares the enthusiasm that Boland and Campbell have felt while serving with the MiTT.
“I was excited to do something different,” he said agreeing with Campbell. “I like the challenge of responsibility.”
The reserve Marine, originally from Detachment 1 Engineers, 4th Maintenance Battalion, in Wichita, Kan., added that he has been able to see the fruits of his labor at Camp Wessam because at a normal maintenance shop he only saw equipment come and go.
“Out here I do maintenance because we need it,” he said.
Boland, who directly supervises and assists Watts and Campbell, expressed his appreciation for his Marines’ hard work and dedication to keeping the MiTT up and running.
“Watts knows everything about every generator,” Boland said adamantly. “Campbell is the master of everything on a vehicle.”
“I wouldn’t ask for any other Marines,” he said. “I believe they are the best.”
Boland was also excited about the change in roles he encountered when he joined the MiTT, stating that one of his favorite parts of his responsibilities is joining the team on convoys.
The other Marines on the MiTT team have come to greatly appreciate what the 2nd MLG (Fwd) Marines have done for the team.
“I told them I would give them a kiss,” Sgt. Terrence R. Hicks, the maintenance chief for the team, said jokingly. “When these guys came in they jumped right to it. Anytime something goes wrong they’re on it.”
Hicks explained that the Marines played a huge part in setting up for the U.S. presence at Camp Wessam, and have kept the MiTT’s operations running smoothly.
“A whole lot of problems that we would have had, have been prevented before they started,” he said.
Boland said his Marines are delighted to support the MiTT and that the increase in work was more than welcome.
“If something breaks, they come to us,” he said proudly. “It doesn’t matter what it is or what the problem is.”
The MLG Marines, who have become a great commodity for MiTT 14, were originally told that they would be with the team for 60 days, but hope to stay for the duration of the MiTT’s deployment which is scheduled to end around July.
They all agreed that they have enjoyed the experience thus far.
“Now that I have been in it, I love it,” exclaimed Boland. “I’d rather be here than [anywhere else.]”
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
bttt
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