Forward Operating Base Lagman, Afghanistan - Everything the two mechanics do at Lagman is a work in progress.

A very small place about four hours east northeast of Kandahar Air Field (KAF), Lagman is a vital cog in making sure 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division's vehicles are combat ready.

"We fix just about everything that comes here," said Staff Sgt. William Washington as he and Spc. Steven Mainardi caught up on some paperwork.

"We are a one stop maintenance center."

Both soldiers are assigned to the Brigade's Special Troops Battalion.

Their mission is to perform maintenance work on the numerous vehicles - from Strykers and Humvees to MRAPs, or Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and fuel trucks.

"We refit and repair," said Mainardi as he worked on the relay switches on a heater. 

"Sometimes we even get odd things to fix like what I'm working on here."

No worries, though.  Within a short time he had the heater working.

Washington and Mainardi's work at Lagman has been aided by cooperation from the significant number of Romanian soldiers deployed to Lagman.

When 5th Brigade first arrived in Afghanistan last July, the repair shop area the two American soldiers use was non-existent.

"There was no hard stand area for them to do their work," explained Lt. Col. Steve Allen, commander, 402nd Brigade Support Battalion, as he did a walk around of the FOB.

All that existed was a gravel area in which to work, not something conducive to working under a vehicle.

"But a handshake with the Romanians solved that problem," he added.

It is a gesture that both Washington and Mainardi appreciated and reciprocated.

"The Romanians have been great to work with," explained Washington.

"There has been no competition between us; they are good at what they do; and the language barrier between us has been fun to work with."

Working in a combat zone has a language all its own.  Both Washington and Mainardi said that during the recovery of broken down vehicles, the Romanians and Americans clearly understand the risks involved.

"When we have to go out and recover a vehicle, we know that they've got our backs," said Washington.

"On the other hand, when they have to go out to recover one of their vehicles, they know we've got their backs."

Not only did the Romanians work to give the Americans a dedicated space in which to work, they also built the plywood shed where Washington and Mainardi can work and sleep.

"They build us a really nice place here," commented Mainardi as he finished up with the heater.

As a gesture of good faith, Mainardi put in the wiring for the electrical system.

Both mechanics pointed out that the vehicles they work on are relatively well built.

"But, I would say that the MRAP is not a vehicle designed to go off-road," said Washington.

No matter.  Both soldiers are confident they can fix whatever rolls into their shop.