Photos

Cpl. Jaimey C. Syvruv, motor transportation mechanic, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 1st Marine Logistics group, helps an Iraqi Soldier trouble shoot a heater problem on a High-Mobility, Multipurpose, Wheeled Vehicle during the first Iraqi partnership at the Iraq camp here, Dec. 31. ?This is the first time we worked with Iraqi Soldiers at their camp instead of our maintenance area,? said Gunnery Sgt. Duane E. Black, 38, Marceline, Mo., Motor Transportation Maintenance Platoon commander, CLB-2, 1st MLG. ?We can train more of their mechanics at the Iraqi maintenance bay because they all can?t come over to our shop.? For more than a year, Iraqi mechanics on Camp Majed aboard Al Asad have been traveling to the American side of the base for HMMWV mechanical training. No more then five Iraqi Soldiers would show up every Wednesday to learn about fixing their military vehicles. Over the last year, the Primary Iraqi Command has been focusing on Marines standing back and advising instead of fixing the vehicles for them. ?We?re here to watch over the Iraqi Soldiers and observe them work on HMMWV,? said Syvruv, 22, Blanchardville, Wis. ?We are standing back and letting them do the work so they can become more self sufficient.? With all the mechanical knowledge the Marines taught to the Iraqi Soldiers, U.S. forces will be able to leave Iraq knowing they can function as a military on their own.