JOINT SECURITY STATION CHILAT, Iraq - “Improve your foxhole:” Soldiers at JSS Chilat hear that phrase all the time. It’s a slogan the Soldiers of “C” Troop, “Combat”, 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment take to heart as they constantly strive to improve the small JSS.
Improving the JSS involves many different types of manual labor, such as plumbing, electricity, carpentry and civil engineering. Due to the remote nature of the JSS, the Soldiers often have to rely on themselves to do the improvements.
“It’s a lot of fun being one of the carpentry guys,” said Spc. Damon Krach, a medic from Salem, N.Y. “I have worked on different types of projects ranging from tables and desks to shelves and hallways. I even had the opportunity to work on a washroom.” Working on improving the JSS can also be relaxing and helps to pass the time during the deployment.
“Instead of sitting around after my shift, I will go and work on wiring or building something like new flooring for the tents and it helps pass the time,” said Staff Sgt. Chris W. Hale, an operations Noncommissioned Officer from Vinita, Okla. “It seems to make the deployment go by quicker, which is always a plus.”
Since June 15, when “Combat” Troop moved into the area, the JSS has steadily been expanding with different types of projects.
The Border Transition Teams (BTT) Phoenix and Scimitar established the JSS, and now with everyone working together and combining ideas and skills; the quality of life has improved project by project.
“The JSS has come a long way since our arrival: from an expansion of six tents and connexes, to getting everything foamed and getting a hard structured Dinning Facility,” said Cpl. Timothy W. McBride an armorer in “C” Troop and Apache Junction, Ariz. native. Every month or so, there is at least one large project to improve the quality of life, and it seems to be slowly speeding up with more and more large projects.
Through teamwork, JSS Chilat has commodities such as heated running water, a fully functional dining facility, a gym and copious amounts of air conditioning.
