RALEIGH, N.C.- Soldiers of the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) Combined Support Maintenance Shop (CSMS) conducted a maintenance engagement with Moldavan soldier mechanics on the fundamentals of Humvee maintenance and troubleshooting with minimal technology on May 14-18.
The training was led by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jesse Wisecup, a surface maintenance mechanic for the NCNG, and included five Moldovan soldiers.
The North Carolina National Guard and the Moldovan Defense Forces have been hosting bi-lateral engagements through the State Partnership Program since 1996. This partnership has allowed Soldier growth and development for both countries.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the Moldovan soldiers," said Wisecup. "It is inspiring to work with them and appreciate their work ethic."
In 2015, Soldiers of the NCNG CSMS completed overseas training with Moldovan soldier mechanics for the first time.
Moldovan soldiers have recently received Humvees and are working to expand their knowledge in maintenance and familiarization with the equipment.
"This will benefit the Moldovan mechanics in becoming familiarized with the equipment, tools, and to observe new methods for technical issues," said Maj. Eugeniu Caragea, logistics director and Moldavan soldier mechanic.
The Moldovan soldier mechanics' goal after training with the NCNG CSMS is to increase professional development and to continue engagements with the NCNG.
The experience of the Moldovan soldier mechanics varies from one to 19 years of experience. Some have even served as warrant officers both in the Romanian army and Moldovan Defense Forces.
Though they may not have the same access to the same technology, they are able to accomplish the same mission with minimal equipment.
"The mission for this week was to prioritize the issues they needed to learn quickly," said Dorin Trestianu, Office of Defense Cooperation manager and translator for the Moldavian soldier mechanics. "The hands-on familiarization with new equipment has them creating a list of equipment they feel would be beneficial back at home."
With this visit to the NCNG CSMS, Moldavan soldier mechanics will take back a lot of knowledge and techniques to their fellow soldiers back home.
"Learning about the technology used in the NCNG will be a great contribution to our military," said Warrant Officer Valentim Fainescu, a senior technician of the 3rd Infantry Company, 22nd Peace Keeping Operations Battalion. "I have prepared a list of equipment I hope to include in our methods back home. Seeing the benefits of maintaining our equipment with a computer scanner and the other equipment used here will make a great contribution for the incoming mechanics."