Capt. Jeffrey Allen, 732nd Air Expeditionary Group, stands with several Iraqi army officials, in front of the first M1114 HMMWV after the unveiling of Project One at Taji, Iraq March 4, 2009. Captain Allen is the contract officer representative at the Taji National Maintenance Depot making sure that the Iraqis receive the necessary equipment to make repairs. Captain Allen is a native of Lusby, Md. and is a reservist deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md.. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacqueline Romero/RELEASED)

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Many of the pistols sit in this container waiting to be inventoried after they have been found around Iraq March 4, 2009. The Taji National Maintenance Depot is responsible for taking in all captured small arms, artillery, and any other weapon devices. Some of the weapons will be destroyed and others will be refurbished and given back to the Iraqi army. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacqueline Romero/RELEASED)

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An Iraqi army member works on putting together the transmission for a M1114 HMMWV at Taji, Iraq March 4, 2009. The transmission shop is one of many steps used to totally overhaul a new HMMWV at the Taji National Maintenance Depot for the Iraqi army. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Jacqueline Romero/RELEASED)

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An Iraqi army member puts a coat of paint on the door of a M1114 HMMWV at Taji, Iraq March 4, 2009. The paint shop is the last step in the HMMWV restoration process at the Taji National Maintenance Depot for the Iraqi army. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Jacqueline Romero/RELEASED)

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A M1114 HMMWV is called Project One because it is the first vehicle to go through the overhaul production by an all Iraqi maintenance crew at Taji, Iraq March 4, 2009. It takes a lot of members of the Iraqi army to get the process completed including: transmission, engine, drive train and paint facilities. Project one will be able to help get members of the Iraqi army ready to take care of their country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacqueline Romero/RELEASED)

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Scavenger Airmen tracks down parts for Iraqi maintenance depot

Published March 6, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team

TAJI, Iraq -- A Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airman with the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group has a unique job to do here. He is responsible for acquiring HMMWV and tank parts for the Taji National Maintenance Depot, which unveiled its first M1114 HMMWV that was restored by an all Iraqi maintenance crew here March 4.

Capt. Jeff Allen, contract officer representative for the depot, is a scavenger of sorts. He is charged with locating the parts the Iraqis need to restore the vehicles, whether it be buying it or finding it at a salvage yard.

"I acquire assets so they (Iraqis) can make the necessary repairs, or so they can practice and train how to make the repairs," said Captain Allen, who is deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md. "We go out of our way to make sure the Iraqis and contractors have everything they need to do their job."

Captain Allen said, the entire maintenance process takes place at the TNMD yard.

"We have training going on every step of the rebuilding process," "We have a transmission, engine, drive train and paint facility that rebuilds everything," he said. "We are training the Iraqis to operate all the processes themselves. We also have a complete tank facility which will do depot level repairs on T-72 and BMP tanks by the end of the year."

Not only is the depot responsible for rebuilding vehicles, but the maintenance yard also houses all the small arms found nearby.

"We take in all the captured small arms found throughout Iraq," said Captain Allen. "Some are designated for destruction but others are repaired and reissued to the Iraqi army."

The TNMD provides 4th-line logistics support to the Iraqi Joint Forces. Support which includes deep level repair and overhaul of wheeled and tracked vehicles, generators, small arms and ground support equipment, and technical trade training for the depot workforce.