Posted on 01/05/2008 8:31:56 AM PST by SandRat
KARKH DISTRICT — After eight weeks of intense training, Iraqi Army Soldiers finally graduate from the first ever mechanics course, Dec. 30. More than 150 Soldiers now possess valuable knowledge in vehicle maintenance which will greatly help them with their mission.
The training encompassed the basics repair of engines, clutches, manual and automatic transmissions, differential gear, two-and-four-wheel drive vehicles, brakes systems, mechanical and hydraulic steering mechanisms, cooling systems and basically everything else on the vehicle, said Eugene Koster, contractor of Fiafi Group and senior trainer at the training center. From the theoretical to in-depth, practical training, the Soldiers received clear and specific instructions of the workings of the vehicle.
“Before I got here, I had little knowledge about mechanics and the car’s parts,” said Iraqi Army Spc. Mohamed Kadr Godeap. “After the completion of the course, my understanding of how the parts of the car work improved.”
Godeap explained how he can use all the knowledge he acquired during the training in his civilian life once he finishes with his years of service in the Iraqi Army.
“As an ambulance driver, I have to keep my vehicle ready at any time, and should I encounter any mechanical problem, I have to fix it fast to be mission capable all the time,” said Godeap.
The commanding general of the 6th Iraqi Army Division, Maj. Gen. Abdul Ameer, attended the ceremony.
“This is the 3rd graduation in the division, and the significance of the graduation ceremony is the Soldier feels good about it. Each student must feel that his hard work has paid off and feel proud to be part of it.”
One can only hope that the more educated Iraqis who have left over the past years will feel confident enough in the security situation to return.
Get Started with an Iraqi version of the little PM book that the US Army puts out every month (or used to??), almost in comic book form. That might help too a little.
What ever it would take
That may be the first maintenance course but it is not the only one. That training facility is just for the 6th and new formed 11th Iraqi Divisions. They have maintenance training standing up at Kurkush (4th/5th Divs) and Habbenayah (1st/7th Divs) as well.
This is in addition to having stood up Wheeled Maintenance Depot, Tracked Maintenance Depot, and a Small Arms Repair Facility at Taji.
The IA plans to remove US contractor maintenance support during this year.
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