Alaa Hussein, a mechanic warrant officer in the Iraqi Army (left), and Emhad Abdeohasam, an Iraqi Army mechanic, work together to disassemble parts of their Humvee. The 26th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, took time to train Iraqi mechanics on Humvee maintenance at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Oct. 8. Photo by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs.

The IA Soldiers, part of the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, met with Soldiers of Company B, 26th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, to learn how to properly maintain and repair their vehicles, and troubleshoot basic problems they may experience.

"We'll be doing preventive maintenance, basic operations - changing filters and fluids, tires, troubleshooting," said Staff Sgt. Gary Minnich, 26th BSB battalion motor sergeant. "It is important that they learn these skills so that they can continue to progress in becoming an Army."

As the Iraqi Army evolves, it is incorporating new technologies and vehicles such as the American up-armored Humvee.

Staff Sgt. Frank Brantly, a member of a military training team who is working with the 3/3/8, said the Iraqis he works with have only had Humvees for about a year. While he praised the Iraqis’ ability to pick up basic soldier skills, he said the logistical capacity is still being developed.

Developing the logistics side, including supply lines, and distribution and subject matter experts to use supplies necessary to keep the Iraqi Army combat-ready, is important in creating a self-sustaining military, said 2nd Lt. Tiffani Williams, maintenance control officer, shop office.

"We are experienced and they are inexperienced, and we can shed some light on certain situations they have trouble with," Williams said. "What better way to learn than a left-seat, right-seat ride. Hopefully they can share their knowledge with their comrades as well."

The Iraqi Army Soldiers said they were eager to learn.

Emhad Abdeohasam, an IA mechanic, said the interaction with Soldiers was a great way to learn. Abdeohasam said he is not used to the new American supplied Humvees. Previously, he said, the Iraqi Army used Russian equipment and pickup trucks, so much of his knowledge is limited to those machines.

With the guidance of 26th BSB soldiers, Abdeohasam was able to troubleshoot and begin maintenance on his vehicle.

Minnich said the IA Soldiers seemed to be able to grasp the concepts being presented.

"This way they'll have mechanics to fix their equipment, troubleshoot their equipment and keep it fully mission-capable," he said.

Becoming a self-sufficient Army is a desire the IA Soldiers said they are striving for.

"We want to get to know trucks more. That way we don't need to go to you – we can fix it ourselves," Abdeohasam said.

Alaa Hussein, a mechanic warrant officer who helped Abdeohasam perform many of the day's maintenance, agreed.

"We're here to gain as much information as possible," he said.

Challenges learning the new techniques only served to motivate him, Hussein said.

"We take pride in doing a job right, especially when it is hard."