As U.S. Forces continue to train and assist the Iraqi National Guard (ING) to be self sufficient, a key area that has not received a lot of attention is the ING combat service support (CSS) structure and training.
In mid-July the 225th Forward Support Battalion (FSB) began working with the Kirkuk ING Brigade Headquarters to develop a CSS training plan for the 207th BN, 208th, BN, 209th BN and the Brigade Logistics Officer.
Maj. Robert Weaver, 225th FSB Executive Officer; Capt. Herb Willingham, 225th FSB Operations Officer; and Capt. Karl Hatala, the 2nd BCT / 25th Infantry Division ING liaison met with the ING Brigade Commander and Executive Officer to determine what areas they wanted assistance in.
BG Anwar laid out several focus areas to include: property accountability, supply procedures, equipment service schedules, vehicle dispatching, repair parts management, maintenance facility layout, weapons maintenance and medical training.
The ING leadership is very interested in this because they understand in order to be self-sufficient they must be capable of supporting themselves and maintaining their own equipment. The ING are very appreciative of the vehicles and equipment U.S. Forces have provided them, and they understand if it is not maintained it will not last.
After initial coordination meetings it was determined that the best way to get the ball rolling was to do a site visit and tour of the FSB logistics facilities on FORWARD operating Base Warrior. On August 3, key logisticians from the three ING Battalions and the brigade logistics office visited FOB Warrior.
The Battalion XO, S4, maintenance officer and medical platoon leader from each unit came to FOB Warrior. Lt. Col. Donnie Walker, the 225th FSB Commander, gave a welcome briefing and orientation to the 13 Iraqi officers in the Ivory Combat Clinic (ICC) classroom on FOB Warrior.
After the overview the 225th FSB’s Warrant Officers and medical platoon leaders were introduced to the ING leadership. It was determined the best instructors and technical experts the 225th had for this training were the warrant officers, who are the logistical experts in the Brigade.
Once the introductions were complete the ING medical platoon leaders were linked up with Capt. Joe Shaha, Charlie Company, 225th FSB treatment platoon leader. Capt. Shaha and three ING representatives toured the ICC.
Capt. Shaha pointed out the concept of patient flow through the treatment tent including the capabilities of patient hold and the procedures for requesting further medical evacuation; additionally, the Iraqi National Guardsmen were shown a UH60A MEDEVAC aircraft and given a short description of the aircraft’s capabilities.
When asked about the experience, Capt. Shaha replied, “It was interesting to listen to the perspectives of the ING medical representatives. Their biggest concern, understandably, was their lack of reliable logistical support. Because of the constraints caused by their lack of resources, the technical and operational training they need for their medics is lacking. But, the will to improve is definitely there and each of the officers I spoke to is eager to take charge and excel.”
While the medics toured the ICC the rest of the group headed for the 225th Unit Maintenance Section to observe organizational maintenance operations. CW2 Danny Taylor, 225th Battalion Maintenance Officer, provided a walking tour of his area taking the time to explain some of the scheduled services being conducted and also how unscheduled maintenance was performed.
The ING officers received a brief overview of dispatching procedures, service scheduling, prescribe load list (PLL) management, tool room procedures and the Unit Level Logistics-Ground (ULLS-G) system. The ING maintenance officers were very interested in watching Spc. Barney work on a M998 HMMVW engine and were ready to provide assistance if we did not have to move to the Strike Lightning Supply Support Activity (SSA).
After the ING tour CW2 Taylor stated, “When I deployed, I never thought I’d be briefing the Iraqi National Guard on maintenance procedures. When I think about the big picture though, I realize it will enhance or improve their overall way of doing things, especially maintenance.”
Spc. Barney also mentioned “It was good to know that our operations can help ING better their operations. I was glad to be a part of the ING learning how we operate.” CW2 Leonard Pettis and 2nd Lt. Andre Fields provided a tour of the SSA highlighting the five major areas of their operation; stock control, receiving section, issue section, storage section and the turn-in section.
During the tour the ING officers took the time to make some observations about their sponsor battalions part bins and provide some good natured jabs at them depending how much equipment was in their bins.
The last stop on the tour was CW4 Andres Leandry’s Direct Support (DS) Automotive repair shop. CW4 Leandry provided the complete rundown of the DS automotive mission and the differences between his operation and CW2 Taylor’s operation.
All of our Iraqi counterparts were familiar with the different levels of maintenance since most had experience in the Iraqi Army maintenance operations. The greatest area of interest at DS automotive was a M916 tractor in shop for a cab replacement. This was probably one of the largest pieces of equipment most had the opportunity to see taken apart.
The visit was a great learning experience for everyone involved with a free exchange of information about the logistics operations and areas the ING would like some assistance. During the visit, as we explained our operations COL Mushin, the ING Brigade Logistics Officer, provided an interesting history of the facilities and operations at FOB Warrior. COL Mushin was stationed at Kirkuk Airbase for 8 years until the mid 1980s.
With CSS facilities and maintenance facilities programmed for construction at the end of FY04. The next phase for the CSS training will be the development of instructional programs and providing classes to the ING logistics community. The visit was another step in setting the conditions for an equipped and self-reliant Iraqi Security Force.