WO2 Russ Peet, SECDET Three ASM welding a weights rack for the gym. Photo by Cpl Damian Shovell, Army newspaper

Esch keep it together

From Cpl Damian Shovell in Baghdad
KEEPING ASLAV wheels rolling over Baghdad's streets doesn't start with the crackle of driver start up over the IC, it starts with the toll of the Bluebell.

WO2 Russ Peet, SECDET ASM, says the six ASLAVs in Iraq are in their element in Baghdad's urban environment, and are performing well above their usual output in Australia, which has presented a few unexpected challenges.

"On a normal week the ASLAVs do between 1000 and 1200kms. Back in Australia we might get a few cars in a squadron that do 5000km in a year," he said.

The ASLAVs' urban employment has seen a decline in suspension repairs and an increase in turret repairs because of their constant "energised" use.

"Over here we haven't broken any suspension parts whatsoever, so [the] lesson learnt for urban operations is we're going to do a lot more kilometres and wear out different things than when we're bashing through the scrub."

The primary role of the RAEME Det is to carry out scheduled servicing on the ASLAVs, and because of the SECDET's "mission priority" in keeping vehicles on the road, this mostly occurs at night.

The maintenance program, however, is significantly increased at times by unpredictable repairs.

"We've done three pack lifts and a turret lift now," WO2 Peet said.

On Anzac Day the RAEME Det conducted two concurrent all-nighters repairing these types of breakdowns.

"That was challenging, the first was changing an engine in a sand storm. That night we had another car blow, so we had another all-nighter to fix.

"Things like that, no sleep for three days and working takes its toll - it's not a nine-to-five job."

The detachment's ASM, radio mechanic, vehicle mechanic and fitter armourer also have a secondary role.

"The second part of our job is force protection, like Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices and other defences around the SECDET."

These include barricades and vehicle chicanes and checkpoints outside the SECDET as well as internal defences. In fact, the RAEME Det has built almost everything required for the SECDET.

"Pretty much everything here either we've made, or the SECDETs before us have made. We design and manufacture all of it ourselves.," he said.

"The boys are dual hatted. They're also builders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, concreters, you name it we do it. We get a bit of support from the engineers, but our guys do pretty much everything to keep the place running."

.