Securing Mechanical Endurance for Personal Security

At the end of the day, the problems are fixed, and soldiers make sure the vehicles are clean and full of fuel for the next mission.

Photos by: U.S. Army Specialist Anita VanderMolen Oregon Guard 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Iraq

(BAGHDAD, Iraq) - The mechanics of C Troop 1/82 CAV of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team are part of the Personal Security Detachment on mission at the Joint Visitors Bureau Hotel at Victory Base Complex.

The Soldiers take care of the tactical vehicles used to transport visiting dignitaries to VBC.

"We work on the Humvees and the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles," said Sgt. Daniel Egbert, senior mechanic from Salem, Oregon.

The problems that arise are usually not critical. The PSD driving the VIPs make note of vehicle issues needing attention. They fill out paperwork and give it to the mechanics.

"After we get the paperwork, we troubleshoot to see what is wrong with the truck," said Egbert. "Usually it is just a switch not put in the position all the way and no fault is found. There are a lot of switches."

Many of the issues are due to idle time, leaving the vehicles sitting with the engines running.

"The vehicles are fired up in the morning and are not shut off until they come back here," said Spc. Jacob Olson, mechanic from Prineville, Ore. "The vehicles are left on during meetings. If the VIPs need to leave quickly then they can jump in the trucks, ready to go, and go when they need to go."

Idle time creates carbon build-up in the engines.

"Carbon build-up causes the engines to not last as long," said Olson. "One hour of idle time equals 33 driven miles."

At the end of the day, the problems are fixed. The Soldiers make sure the vehicles are clean and full of fuel for the next mission.

Photos by: U.S. Army Specialist Anita VanderMolen, Oregon Guard 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Iraq