Iraqi River Police Trainers, Mechanics Graduate

Training consisted of hands-on training and reinforced with practical drills to allow the students to build their learning ability.

Iraqi Police Lt. Laith addresses the audience and graduates of the Trailer Maintenance and Driving Course held here April 24th. A combination of Iraqi Police trainers and mechanics graduated from the six-week course to better prepare them for potential maintenance issues. Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Erica R. Gardner

(BAGHDAD, Iraq) - The Iraqi River Patrol Police station graduated seven trainers and five mechanics from the first ever Trailer Maintenance and Driver Course after six weeks of hands on training from an Iraqi River Patrol mechanic, April 24th.

Students participating in the Trailer Maintenance and Driver Course learned the fundamentals of taking care of the trailer, tires and brakes.

This course offers them a way to troubleshoot malfunctions of the trailer, tires or brakes and help them understand how the river craft operate.

The topics taught within the Trailer Maintenance and Driver Course are Trailer Repair, Specific Component Repair, i.e., tires, brakes, bearings and inflation guidelines; Tire Change, which includes tactical movements in hostile environments which require securing the scene; and Driving the Trailer in reverse, driving day and night, and through a cone obstacle course.

"The skills taught to the instructors and mechanics are skills needed to be able to function in case of an emergency," said Iraqi Lt. Laith, Iraqi Police River Patrol executive officer.

Training consisted of hands-on training and reinforced with practical drills to allow the students to build their learning ability said Laith.

"I have been a mechanic for over 20 years," said Iraqi Police mechanic Hussein. "I am proud the U.S. Navy allowed me to teach the course to help my people."

Source: Iraq Central Command