DIYALA PROVINCE, Iraq - After working nine months with the Iraq Army's 5th Division, 3rd Line Regional Maintenance Company at Kirkush Military Training Base, the Logistical Training Advisory Team transferred the mission to several Soldiers from the 699th Maintenance Company here May 2.

The outgoing LTAT, consisting of 11 Soldiers from the 356th Quartermaster Company, 602nd Maintenance Company and 259th Combat Service Support Battalion, assisted the KMTB since July 2008 while working with Iraqi Army Soldiers to develop their Iraqi Army Regional Maintenance Company.

The KMTB LTATs constructed a 120-day training schedule for the IA Soldiers on maintenance practices while also obtaining parts from Taji National Depot to 3rd Line Maintenance according to their working operational procedures. However, the KMTB LTAT worked to achieve a normal operation while setting a work basis for their replacements.

The team was instrumental with ensuring over 4,350 lines of vehicle repair parts were processed, including former U.S. Army vehicles and a large, multi-national fleet of vehicles.

The 699th Maint Co. from Fort Irwin, Calif., has made progress continuing from where the outgoing LTAT mission ended. They had an integral role when 22 Iraqi Army Soldiers graduated from a 30-day class on transmission trouble-shooting.

Lt. Col. Shawn Daugherty, of Lacey, Wash., and 304th Sustainment Brigade operations officer, addressed the team saying "The LTAT is the best mission within the brigade. The LTATs are small, independent units, often in remote locations, in charge of their own destiny and work hand-in-hand with the Iraqi Army, and that's what this is all about. This is a tough logistical challenge and you (all) have done an outstanding job."

Both KMTB LTATs are examples of the brigade's motto, "Bridge the Gap...Sustain the Force" and demonstrated their ability to work while sustaining the force with the Iraqi maintenance program.