Brigade mechanics keep wheels rolling into combat
CAMP LOYALTY, Iraq – The sound of cranking ratchets, rumbling engines and shrieking timing belts can often be heard in one spot on Camp Loyalty.
At the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division motor pool, 11 mechanics work long, strenuous hours maintaining the brigade’s vehicles.
“We’re working hard to keep the unit mobile and sustain our combat power,” said Staff Sgt. Keith Kerrick, HHC, 2nd BCT, shop foreman. “We keep y’all rolling.”
Kerrick, from Washington, D.C., said he often works hand in hand with other Loyalty motor pools to secure needed parts, rather than waiting weeks for orders to be filled.
The motor pool also handles all of the brigade’s attached units and their vehicles – units like Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations, personal security details and Air Force detachments. In all, they are currently responsible for about 70 vehicles, and every week they get more.
Vehicles as diverse as humvees, light medium tactical vehicles, M577 armored personnel carriers, M88 recovery vehicles, M2 Bradleys and generators can be found in various states of disassembly during the day in the motor pool.
“It’s a good team, a good set of people -- squared away noncommissioned officers,” said Pvt. Uriah John, HHC, 2nd BCT, generator mechanic. “I’d stay 20 years right here with this team if I could.”
John, from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, said he thinks Fort Stewart and the 3rd Infantry Division is a good place for a Soldier to start a career.
“It’s tough here (in Iraq). You get put to the test mentally and physically,” he said. “But the pressure makes you perform at a higher level.”
On any given day, you can find mechanics upgrading vehicles with armor and other equipment, while performing organizational-level preventive maintenance checks and services, said Spc. Luis Crespo, HHC, 2nd BCT, motor pool supply specialist.
Crespo, from San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, has responsibilities that include ordering parts for vehicles and issuing them to mechanics.
A typical day at the motor pool runs until dusk, and judging by the sweat pouring off of the mechanics, the days are demanding. The group usually tackles four vehicles per day that are scheduled for routine maintenance, then deals with whatever repair issues pop up.
Sometimes the crew performs major repairs on up to 10 vehicles a day.
“We have a lot of attachments that we’re responsible for, but the team really comes together,” said Staff Sgt. Harry Anderson, HHC, 2nd BCT, motor pool NCOIC. “We try to make it a home away from home here and keep a good atmosphere.”
Anderson, from Sumter, S.C., believes the key to his team’s unity is good communication.
“We have Soldiers risking their lives every day, using vehicles all the time,” John said. “It’s important no one breaks down out there in the combat zone, or gets hurt because of faulty safety equipment.”
Note: Spc. Ben Brody is a photojournalist with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
FOR ADDITIONAl INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION PUBLICAFFAIRS. CLIFFORD.KENT@ID3.ARMY.MIL
Release #050425b
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