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Maintaining
bonds of
friendship
BY LT Peter Marinielli
Edition 1171, July 26, 2007 |
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MECH MATES: Cpl Justin Neilsen and Tpr Greg Loveday, both 1 Avn Regt, enjoy a brew with US Marine Cpl Albert Arno while fixing an Australian Land Rover on a cold day.
Picture: Cpl Chris Moore |
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ALL they needed was some help from their friends.
When ground crewmen and mechanics from 1 Avn Regt’s Ground Support Tp needed to perform urgent maintenance on their vehicles in the rain and mud of central Queensland, neighbouring US Marines were ready to lend a helping hand.
The diggers were able to service Land Rovers in a maintenance tent constructed by Marines from Combat Service Support Group 3.
“One team, one fight,” Marine Cpl Albert Arno said. “They approached us two days ago and we were good to go.”
The allies worked side by side at Rockhampton and Shoalwater Bay to overcome challenging conditions.
The Australians had the right tools and vehicles for the job, but the muddy conditions meant it would take hours to move equipment.
“We were reluctant to move our crane unless we absolutely had to,” Cpl Ashley Nelson said.
The diggers faced a six-day road trip back to Darwin and needed to maintain their vehicles before they moved.
“We would have gone to Rocky to do our maintenance and that would have held up our return to date by two or three days,” Cpl Nelson said.
Marine Light Armoured Vehicle mechanic Sgt Bryan Harshman said the maintenance was a bilateral effort.
“We all put our knowledge together to solve problems; once you know the functions of the systems it is easy to diagnose any vehicle,” Sgt Harshman said.
He said wet conditions at Shoalwater Bay were more akin to his home.
“I’m glad we came to Australia in the drought – we brought our weather with us,” he said.
“I have never seen rain like this and I am from New Jersey – all it does in New Jersey is rain. It’s like Woodstock out there; we should get some mud football going.”
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