SANA'A, Yemen - Several U.S. Army Central Soldiers visited a Yemeni depot maintenance shop for an information exchange here Jan. 26-31.
Col. William Garner led the U.S. ARCENT team here to address current maintenance and supply procedures, and share in the traditional Yemen culture firsthand.
The visit included personnel from the Kuwait and Atlanta sections who conducted a walkthrough of the Central Repair Base of Depot level maintenance. Col. Garner's team, totaling over 145 years of combined experience consisted of Lt. Col. Edwina Arnold, Chief Warrant Officer Mary Czuhajewski, Chief Warrant Officer Lynn Thomas, Master Sgt. Leslie Venning, Sgt. 1st Class George Hayes and Sgt. 1st Class Melton Johnson.
Garner was impressed with the capabilities of the maintenance facility, specifically on how Yemeni mechanics and supply clerks provided first rate service despite limited equipment parts. The teamwork between the two countries was evident. Brig. Gen. Salim Saleh Al-Kateesh, the CRB Director, and his staff, made every effort to share logistical procedures. Al-Kateesh's staff provided the USARCENT team step by step procedures during the walkthrough and simplified how present and future operations are conducted.
The team noticed that the logisticians in both armies are dedicated to their professions and would like to maintain a future dialogue between them. The Yemeni Army has limited females within their organization, so, Arnold and Czuhajewski provided the Yemeni CRB leadership a firsthand view on how female Soldiers are a valuable part of the up front Army team.
During the visit with the Yemeni Minister of Defense's Chief of Staff, Staff Maj. Gen. Ahmed Ali Al-Ashwal and AL-Kateesh, Garner reassured the CofS that this visit is the beginning of a friendship and future dialogues will continuing in the success of the CRB. The team also visited the historical site of Imam Yahya, the King of Yemen from 1926-1948, to experience the Yemen culture personally. His residence is located near Sana'a.
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