If Broken With Wheels, Patriot Brigade Mechanics Can Fix It

By Grant Okubo

4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (L) PAO, MND-B

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq - In garrison, if a vehicle has a mechanical problem the motor pool is the one-stop shop for replacement parts and repairs. The same remains true during deployment for Patriot Brigade Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Loyalty, where motor pool mechanics continuously work on vehicles.

Mechanics assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Multi-National Division - Baghdad are in the motor pool every day keeping vehicles on the road. As mid August passed, the unit surpassed their half way point of their deployment.

On average days, BSTB mechanics service more than 20 vehicles for repairs and regular maintenance, which is a lot less than they were seeing a few months ago, said Sgt. Chris Conlon, a lead mechanic assigned to HHC, BSTB.

Spc. Stephen Nestler, a Powder Springs, Ga., native, assigned to Headquarter and Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), works on a humvee in the motor pool, Aug. 19. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Grant Okubo, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (L), MND-B)

In addition to fixing vehicles, mechanics at the motor pool also dispatch trucks, explained Conlon, a Napa, Calif., native.
The mechanics don't only service and dispatch vehicles, but they also fix various pieces of equipment, commented Sgt. Juan Meave, the service non-commissioned officer for HHC BSTB. In addition to their motor pool duties, the mechanics assist with casualty evacuation and perform various other details to support the FOB operations, said Meave a Houston, Texas, native.

As an NCO, Conlon is one of the senior mechanics and helps oversee the work of his team of mechanics. He leads by example, showing Soldiers how to perform and letting them know he is right next to them working on the vehicles as well, he said.
"I always try to do the job, and if I've done it a few times, then I let them do it," explained Conlon. "I try to be out here to show them that just because I'm an NCO doesn't mean I just sit around."

As the mechanics work past the midpoint of their deployment, they have noticed a decline in the number of vehicles coming in now than they did a few months ago, said Conlon. They service a lot of vehicles coming in with problems due to the heat, he commented. As one might expect, they also process quite a bit of work requests for air conditioning units.

Sgt. Chris Conlon, a Napa, Calif., native, who serves as a mechanic with Headquarter and Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), works at the motor pool, Aug. 19. He works on various pieces of equipment and vehicles to support missions and personnel. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Grant Okubo, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (L), MND-B)

In these hot summer months, working in the heat can be challenging, but the mechanics have adjusted to the heat as the temperatures have gradually risen, explained Conlon. Civilian contractor mechanics work in the BSTB maintenance shop and have helped support the mission, and Soldiers have learned a lot from them, said Conlon.

Working on vehicles with more electronics, has been a challenge to work through; however, those challenges can't compare to their work assisting with casualty evacuation, said Meave.

"It's a very difficult job, but we will shy away from nothing," commented Meave. The BSTB mechanics understand their role down-range and realize the importance of what they do. BSTB mechanics make sure vehicles and equipment are up and running and ready to go out on the missions.

"Without us, they wouldn't be able to accomplish the mission," said Meave. "Without us, vehicles would be going out the FOB (and) breaking down all the time."