COMBAT OUTPOST SHIR GHAZAY, Afghanistan - The Intermediate Maintenance Activity section at Combat Outpost Shir Ghazay, Afghanistan, plays an integral part in keeping things up and running.

Marines with the IMA operate out of the base in support of the 32nd Georgian Battalion, Georgian Liaison Team 6 and the units who fall under Regimental Combat Team 7 in the area.

“We provide third and limited fourth echelon maintenance support,” said Gunnery Sgt. Dale Tilley, staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the IMA. “We support all the outer lying units.”

Third and fourth echelon maintenance involves several different capabilities. With its personnel, the IMA can take a battle-damaged truck and repair it to a serviceable state. Oil changes, replacing tires, wiring vehicles and even replacing key suspension parts of vehicles used in Afghanistan are also part of the IMA’s repertoire.

Additionally, the IMA also provides maintenance and care for generators, heavy equipment and aids other units aboard COP Shir Ghazay.

“The IMA supports all the other units,” said Lance Cpl. Travis King, heavy equipment mechanic with the IMA. “A lot of these units come in with convoys and we aid them out by using the forklift to unload them. Without that ability, they would be stuck in a hard place.”

The IMA does their part in providing essential services to the units aboard the base with the wide assortment of Marines they have in the shop. The IMA has generator mechanics, heavy equipment operators, motor transport mechanics, armorers and plenty more Marines holding different jobs.

With all these resources, the IMA is able to keep equipment and trucks operable to help keep the troops in the fight.

They are also in a unique situation, because they not only are helping to support the Marines in the area but also supporting the Georgian soldiers.

“It’s a challenge from day to day because of the language barrier,” said Tilley. “It’s also a reward though. Your working with the coalition forces, and we are all out there trying to make a difference.”

The IMA makes a difference. Without the maintenance they provide on trucks, several Marines would be deprived of the vital supplies they need. Without the IMA, the ability to keep generators operational and the command center powered would not be possible.

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