Dragon mechanics perform vital role in Haiti

by Sgt. Richard Andrade
16th MPAD

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The mechanics of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, keep vehicles and generators up and running providing an essential service for Joint Task Force - Haiti.

They currently have 20 pieces of equipment that they service and maintain on a daily basis including generators, light medium tactical vehicles, humvees and deployable rapid assembly shelters, which provide power to and heat and cool work tents.

Sgt. Lance Gallimore, a native of Bent Mountain, Va., is the motor sergeant and supervises four other mechanics, a generator, an air conditioning and two light-wheeled mechanics.

Recently, one of the vehicles had a transmission problem.

“If and when a vehicle needs repair, it is down for a couple of hours,” Gallimore said. “We had that transmission in and out in less than 16 hours, and that’s working out here in these harsh conditions.”

Even with limited equipment, the mechanics make the mission happen.

“It was a hard job because we didn’t have the proper tools, said Spc. Josiah Griffin, a Bowling Green, Ohio, native. “But by brainstorming, we got the mission accomplished.”

There have been a few maintenance problems since the mechanics arrived in Haiti.

“Besides the one vehicle that needed its transmission repaired, we had one that had to have the fuel plug replaced and two generators that I fixed,” said Sgt. Garry Lee Boardinne Mills Jr., a native of Greensboro, N.C., and generator mechanic who has been in Haiti since Jan. 17.

“Every role is important here. Everybody’s mission is crucial. As far as being a mechanic, to have Soldiers going into the city and handing out food and water, they can’t do that unless their vehicle is working properly,” said Griffin.

“I think we are doing good things here in Haiti,” Mills said. “Everyone has a part to play. Our part is to support by maintaining the equipment and communications that we have here at our site.”
The Dragon mechanics often think of the plight of the Haitian people.

“My Soldiers want to go out here and hand out water and MREs, and sometimes they get frustrated because they are not out there handing out the MREs and water,” said Gallimore. “But this Haiti mission could not run as smoothly or efficiently without their sacrifices and hard work. I am very proud of my Soldiers and everything that they do. Hopefully, the sacrifices we make here in Haiti will make a difference in the future,” he said.