Before I start in on my tirade, I want clarify I only want the best of the best for our soldiers and encourage them to do “just about” whatever it takes to make their lives are more comfortable. But…I would much rather they be uncomfortable than have someone wiring up a “washroom” or air conditioner that is not licensed and doesn’t have the proper training. Uncomfortable is much better than dead!
Soldiers Improve Remote Station in Iraq
By Army 1st Lt. Nathan M. McEwen Special to American Forces Press Service JOINT SECURITY STATION CHILAT, Iraq, Nov. 18, 2009 – Soldiers here have taken the adage “Improve your foxhole” to heart as they strive to improve this small security station in southern Iraq.
The station’s remote location means soldiers of C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, often have to rely on themselves to do the improvements. This involves many different types of manual labor, such as plumbing, electricity, carpentry and civil engineering.
“It’s a lot of fun being one of the carpentry guys,” said Army Spc. Damon Krach, a medic from Salem, N.Y. “I have worked on different types of projects ranging from tables and desks to shelves and hallways. I even had the opportunity to work on a washroom.”
Working on improving the security station can be relaxing and helps to pass the time during the deployment, the soldiers said.
“Instead of sitting around after my shift, I will go and work on wiring or building something like new flooring for the tents, and it helps pass the time,” said Army Staff Sgt. Chris W. Hale, an operations noncommissioned officer from Vinita, Okla. “It seems to make the deployment go by quicker, which is always a plus.”
Since June 15, when C Troop moved into the area, the station has expanded steadily. Border transition teams Phoenix and Scimitar established the joint security station, and now with everyone working together and combining ideas and skills, the quality of life has improved project by project.
“The [station] has come a long way since our arrival,” said Army Cpl. Timothy W. McBride a C Troop armorer and Apache Junction, Ariz., native. Every month or so, he said, at least one large project improves the quality of life, and the pace seems to be speeding up with more and more large projects.
Through the soldiers’ teamwork, the station now has amenities such as heated running water, a fully functional dining facility, a gym and copious amounts of air conditioning.
(Army 1st Lt. Nathan M. McEwen serves with the 1st Armored Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team.) (click HERE for the original article)
My question is this. Is Army Staff Sgt. Chris W. Hale a licensed electrician? Is he supervised by a licensed electrician? Is there a licensed electrician on the site doing electrical inspections? How many others are doing electrical work?
So many have worked so hard to keep our soldiers and civilians from being electrocuted in the shower and elsewhere. It would be nice if the damn Army helped. If these soldiers need an electrician, get them a freakin’ electrician! If we can get soldiers there, we can get an electrician there!
I hope Task Force SAFE will send someone to JSS Chilat ASAP to inspect and make sure one of these fine soldiers does not die in the shower!
Ms Sparky
I’ve got a problem with your page properly through the latest release of Opera. It is fine in Explorer 7 and Firefox though.