Camp Mejid, Iraq- A unit of U.S. Marine Mechanics recently traveled to Camp Mejid to assist and train Iraqi Soldiers in a number of basic vehicle maintenance tasks December 31st.
?We are proud to be working for the first time in the field, at the Iraqi Camp instead of back in our normal maintenance area,? said Gunnery Sergeant Duane E. Black.
Sergeant Black is the motor transportation Maintenance platoon commander for Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 1st Marine Logistics group. ?We simply can train more of their mechnics here at their place, because they cant arrive all at once over at our shop,? said Sergeant Black.
Normally Iraqi mechanics were crossing over to the American Side of the Camp to learn, but now mechanics are traveling back over to the Iraqi side to give them real time combat mechanical training.
?We are providing an overwatch and security over the Iraqi Soldiers,? said Lance Corporal Jaimey Syvuv. ?Our goal is to stand back and help them become more self reliant by teaching them to do maintenance tasks and repairs themselves,? said Syvruv.
Many of the Iraqi Mechanics have made excellent progress, and they can often fix most problems without having to ask for help or instruction. But if its needed, the US Marine Corps mechanics are right there to assist.