Iraq Reconstruction update November 14, 2004
El Salvadoran Forces' Humanitarian Projects in the Province of BabilBAGHDAD, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2004 - Since the arrival of the El Salvadoran Battalion to Camp Charlie, located in the city of Al-Hillah, they 've visited communities in their area of responsibility to assess problems and coordinate assistance with the local authorities regarding infrastructure problems.
El Salvadoran Battalion, as a member of the Multi-National Division Central-South, focused on projects to be executed in the scope of reconstruction of infrastructure and humanitarian assistance in different communities of the Babil province. These include the cities and villages of Al-Ibrahimiya, Al-Madhathiya, Al-Hashimiyah, Ashimiya, Al-Qasim, At-Taliyah, Al- Kilf and Ash-Shumali.
With the development of these projects, 128,000 Iraqis in these areas will obtain some benefits. The selected priorities include furnishing of schools and health centers, improving roads, installingwater pumps, water treatment, repairing old water systems, construction of a steel girder bridge and improvement of the living conditions of Iraqi forces in the province of Babil to successfully continue in their performance of conducting stability and security operations there. These projects are being developed with Commander Emergency Response Program funds amounting to a total of $ 1,175,078.50. El Salvadoran Battalion started these projects in Oct. 2004 and plan to complete them by Dec. 2004.
El Salvadoran Forces accomplished their third rotation in Iraq on Aug. 20, 2004, where Salvadoran strength totalled 380 personnel. The fourth rotation is planned for early in 2005. The commander of the third rotation of El Salvadoran Battalion is Col. Roberto Artiga. El Salvadoran Battalion is located in Camp Charlie, situated in the city of Al-Hilla, and has been there since Sep. 10, 2004.
El Salvadoran Battalion has become a very important part of the MND-CS in Iraq and the El Salvadoran contingent is performing an excellent duty to help Iraqis and Iraqi forces as well. The battalion is part of the overall Multi-National Force contribution to the continuous re-building and stability of the infrastructure of Iraq.
Marines, Seabees Fix Insurgent Handiwork in LutafiyahFORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - U.S. Marines and Navy Seabees repaired a a key bridge south of Baghdad Nov. 13 after repeated insurgent attacks left it all but untrafficable to thousands of commuters.
Elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit spent 12 hours fixing the bridge's twin spans running north and south through Lutafiyah, about 20 miles south of the capital.
Militants have struck the bridge with numerous improvised explosive devices in recent months. The latest attacks came on Nov. 3, when a fatal blow buckled and caved the southbound span, and on Nov. 11, when a car bomb left a third gaping crater in the northbound span.
The Nov. 13 repairs opened up traffic in both directions, restoring both lanes on the northbound side and one on the southbound side.
The target of choice, which bridges a canal bisecting Route 8 -- a key corridor through south-central Iraq -- illustrates the willingness of insurgents to victimize innocent Iraqis to achieve their aims.
But according to the MEU commander, the quick reconstruction suggests the futility of the path of chaos and violence.
"We will rebuild what the terrorists tear down," said Col. Ron Johnson. "We will hunt down and destroy those bent on mindless destruction. And we will stand beside the good people of Iraq until they are ready to stand on their own."
Iraqi Police Graduate 2,500 from Basic TrainingBAGHDAD, Iraq - The Iraqi Police Service graduated nearly 2,500 officers from Basic Police Training courses this week as the Iraqi government continues the police force training effort in the country.The graduations from the Jordan International Police Training Center in Amman, Jordan, the Baghdad Public Safety Academy, and the training school in Sulaymaniyah ushered a class of 1,440, another class of 809 and another 249 officers into the IPS ranks, respectively. Instruction in Baghdad, included the graduation of 79 female officers. IPS basic training runs recruits through instruction in the fundamental basics of policing skills and the techniques and ideals of law enforcement in a free society. The Sulaymaniyah graduations were the first at the school in Northeastern Iraq.All graduates will deploy for immediate duty at stations throughout the county.
Iraqi Receives Equipment, Armament BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces continue to receive large shipments of weapons and materiel from the Multinational Security Transition Command - Iraq.
Since Nov. 1, the rollout has included 2,919 AK-47 assault rifles, 4,210 helmets, 107 PKM machineguns, 832 RPK machineguns, 7,850 sets of body armor, 11,000 field jackets, 50 Glock pistols, 100,000 RPK/PKM machinegun rounds, 2,400 9mm pistol rounds, 300,000 AK-47 rounds, 600 tactical vests, 30 computers, 300 kneepads, 50 radios, 15,763 pairs of running shoes, 20 holsters, 20 Walther 9mm pistols, 1,300 army t-shirts, and 19,782 desert combat uniforms.
All equipment has either been issued to Iraqi Army, Iraqi National Guard, or Iraqi police forces or delivered throughout the country for distribution to personnel.
Al Washash Water Treatment Plant Work CompleteAL WASHASH, Iraq - Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 264th Engineer Group and Shujaa Company Contractors completed the construction of a Commander’s Emergency Repair Program project to install an adequate water treatment plant for Al Washash Village recently.This project, which started in September, provides water for a village of 100 homes and 300 people. The total cost of this project was $95,000. Before this project was completed, there was no running water and the people of this village had to haul all of their water up from the Tigris River on donkey back. The building of the water treatment plant furthered the alliance between the American Soldiers and Iraqi Citizens.
Iraqi Military Academy Gets $10M FaceliftBAGHDAD, Iraq — A variety of construction and renovation projects worth nearly $10 million continue to progress at the Iraqi Military Academy Al Rustamiyah, including the rehabilitation of barracks and classrooms used for training Iraqi army officers.
The academy, which trains officers for the Iraqi army was founded in 1924 and currently has 16 major construction projects including the gymnasium, study hall, base laundry, and a medical clinic with most of the major work to be completed by the middle of December. The projects are being completed primarily by Iraqi contractors and workers with more than 850 Iraqi workers comprising 82 percent of the total workforce.
According to 1st Lt. Michael Pierson project engineer, who works for the Multinational Security Transition Command - Iraq's engineering section, activities for each location include demolition and removal of damaged and deteriorated material, replacement of electrical systems and fixtures, replacement of plumbing systems and fixtures, and replacement or installation of mechanical systems and fixtures. Some existing packaged air conditioning units are being serviced and restored for use in some buildings. Typical work packages include restoration of existing wall finishes, replacement of doors, and replacement or repair of windows throughout the buildings.
Pierson said renovation of the gymnasium, library, and auxiliary mechanical building is progressing. Window repair and removal of existing flooring in the gym as well as a new roof for the building is in progress and the ceiling is being painted. New ceramic tile is being installed, and both the gym and the library will get new doors and new electrical systems. But it hasn't all been smooth going, he said.
"We've had some challenges," Pierson said. "Needed materials for the job site and security for the site have been big ones. Keeping the workers safe and having a plan for them to come onto the base and go home at night can sometimes be challenging as well. And, making sure we have trustworthy workers so that we don't have to watch them 100 percent of the time."
In spite of the difficulties Pierson said the work itself has gone very well. He added that the fact that most of the contractors and workers are Iraqis has been a bonus.
"Having Iraqi workers is a big plus because we don't have the manpower here to be able to do all the construction work," Pierson said. "And it also helps the Iraqis to get back on their feet... get the country back on its feet. It doesn't make sense to bring our workers over here. It has to be done by Iraqis because they are the ones who will be living here."
Pierson added that the new construction and renovation will also improve the quality of the training that is conducted at the base and help to give the Iraqis a sense of ownership in the base.
"Everything will get better when we get the Iraqi troops into new facilities that have flushable toilets... good classrooms... air conditioning and tile floors," Pierson said. "In an environment that is conducive to learning I feel that the product you're going to get is going to be a lot better than what you have now. And, they get a sense of ownership, this is part of their country and they can have a sense of pride in their country by having their own base and facilities to learn in.
"Just having the correct facilities like obstacle courses and shooting ranges, where, not only are the facilities upgraded but you have additional shooting ranges and things like that, that will benefit the classes. And, though some of these things they had before, now they are being upgraded with new ideas incorporated into them," said Pierson.
Additional work at IMAR includes renovation of the clock tower buildings, seven concrete buildings, the medical clinic, a Morale Welfare and Recreation building, the Post Exchange and barber shop, the motor pool compound, the quartermaster store, armory and warehouse, and work on main roads and irrigation channels throughout the camp.
"They are on schedule. Everything was put off a little bit because of the fighting in April and in August," Pierson said. "And, you really get a lot of people scared when they get their name put on a list that says you cannot work with the Americans or we'll bring harm to your family, that's the biggest thing. Iraq is just full of threats, and sometimes they carry them out, so you have to take them seriously, so we have to show them that we will do what we can to provide security and to back them up."
El Salvadoran Battalion, as a member of the Multi-National Division Central-South, focused on projects to be executed in the scope of reconstruction of infrastructure and humanitarian assistance in different communities of the Babil province. These include the cities and villages of Al-Ibrahimiya, Al-Madhathiya, Al-Hashimiyah, Ashimiya, Al-Qasim, At-Taliyah, Al- Kilf and Ash-Shumali.
With the development of these projects, 128,000 Iraqis in these areas will obtain some benefits. The selected priorities include furnishing of schools and health centers, improving roads, installingwater pumps, water treatment, repairing old water systems, construction of a steel girder bridge and improvement of the living conditions of Iraqi forces in the province of Babil to successfully continue in their performance of conducting stability and security operations there. These projects are being developed with Commander Emergency Response Program funds amounting to a total of $ 1,175,078.50. El Salvadoran Battalion started these projects in Oct. 2004 and plan to complete them by Dec. 2004.
El Salvadoran Forces accomplished their third rotation in Iraq on Aug. 20, 2004, where Salvadoran strength totalled 380 personnel. The fourth rotation is planned for early in 2005. The commander of the third rotation of El Salvadoran Battalion is Col. Roberto Artiga. El Salvadoran Battalion is located in Camp Charlie, situated in the city of Al-Hilla, and has been there since Sep. 10, 2004.
El Salvadoran Battalion has become a very important part of the MND-CS in Iraq and the El Salvadoran contingent is performing an excellent duty to help Iraqis and Iraqi forces as well. The battalion is part of the overall Multi-National Force contribution to the continuous re-building and stability of the infrastructure of Iraq.
Marines, Seabees Fix Insurgent Handiwork in LutafiyahFORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - U.S. Marines and Navy Seabees repaired a a key bridge south of Baghdad Nov. 13 after repeated insurgent attacks left it all but untrafficable to thousands of commuters.
Elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit spent 12 hours fixing the bridge's twin spans running north and south through Lutafiyah, about 20 miles south of the capital.
Militants have struck the bridge with numerous improvised explosive devices in recent months. The latest attacks came on Nov. 3, when a fatal blow buckled and caved the southbound span, and on Nov. 11, when a car bomb left a third gaping crater in the northbound span.
The Nov. 13 repairs opened up traffic in both directions, restoring both lanes on the northbound side and one on the southbound side.
The target of choice, which bridges a canal bisecting Route 8 -- a key corridor through south-central Iraq -- illustrates the willingness of insurgents to victimize innocent Iraqis to achieve their aims.
But according to the MEU commander, the quick reconstruction suggests the futility of the path of chaos and violence.
"We will rebuild what the terrorists tear down," said Col. Ron Johnson. "We will hunt down and destroy those bent on mindless destruction. And we will stand beside the good people of Iraq until they are ready to stand on their own."
Iraqi Police Graduate 2,500 from Basic TrainingBAGHDAD, Iraq - The Iraqi Police Service graduated nearly 2,500 officers from Basic Police Training courses this week as the Iraqi government continues the police force training effort in the country.The graduations from the Jordan International Police Training Center in Amman, Jordan, the Baghdad Public Safety Academy, and the training school in Sulaymaniyah ushered a class of 1,440, another class of 809 and another 249 officers into the IPS ranks, respectively. Instruction in Baghdad, included the graduation of 79 female officers. IPS basic training runs recruits through instruction in the fundamental basics of policing skills and the techniques and ideals of law enforcement in a free society. The Sulaymaniyah graduations were the first at the school in Northeastern Iraq.All graduates will deploy for immediate duty at stations throughout the county.
Iraqi Receives Equipment, Armament BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces continue to receive large shipments of weapons and materiel from the Multinational Security Transition Command - Iraq.
Since Nov. 1, the rollout has included 2,919 AK-47 assault rifles, 4,210 helmets, 107 PKM machineguns, 832 RPK machineguns, 7,850 sets of body armor, 11,000 field jackets, 50 Glock pistols, 100,000 RPK/PKM machinegun rounds, 2,400 9mm pistol rounds, 300,000 AK-47 rounds, 600 tactical vests, 30 computers, 300 kneepads, 50 radios, 15,763 pairs of running shoes, 20 holsters, 20 Walther 9mm pistols, 1,300 army t-shirts, and 19,782 desert combat uniforms.
All equipment has either been issued to Iraqi Army, Iraqi National Guard, or Iraqi police forces or delivered throughout the country for distribution to personnel.
Al Washash Water Treatment Plant Work CompleteAL WASHASH, Iraq - Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 264th Engineer Group and Shujaa Company Contractors completed the construction of a Commander’s Emergency Repair Program project to install an adequate water treatment plant for Al Washash Village recently.This project, which started in September, provides water for a village of 100 homes and 300 people. The total cost of this project was $95,000. Before this project was completed, there was no running water and the people of this village had to haul all of their water up from the Tigris River on donkey back. The building of the water treatment plant furthered the alliance between the American Soldiers and Iraqi Citizens.
Iraqi Military Academy Gets $10M FaceliftBAGHDAD, Iraq — A variety of construction and renovation projects worth nearly $10 million continue to progress at the Iraqi Military Academy Al Rustamiyah, including the rehabilitation of barracks and classrooms used for training Iraqi army officers.
The academy, which trains officers for the Iraqi army was founded in 1924 and currently has 16 major construction projects including the gymnasium, study hall, base laundry, and a medical clinic with most of the major work to be completed by the middle of December. The projects are being completed primarily by Iraqi contractors and workers with more than 850 Iraqi workers comprising 82 percent of the total workforce.
According to 1st Lt. Michael Pierson project engineer, who works for the Multinational Security Transition Command - Iraq's engineering section, activities for each location include demolition and removal of damaged and deteriorated material, replacement of electrical systems and fixtures, replacement of plumbing systems and fixtures, and replacement or installation of mechanical systems and fixtures. Some existing packaged air conditioning units are being serviced and restored for use in some buildings. Typical work packages include restoration of existing wall finishes, replacement of doors, and replacement or repair of windows throughout the buildings.
Pierson said renovation of the gymnasium, library, and auxiliary mechanical building is progressing. Window repair and removal of existing flooring in the gym as well as a new roof for the building is in progress and the ceiling is being painted. New ceramic tile is being installed, and both the gym and the library will get new doors and new electrical systems. But it hasn't all been smooth going, he said.
"We've had some challenges," Pierson said. "Needed materials for the job site and security for the site have been big ones. Keeping the workers safe and having a plan for them to come onto the base and go home at night can sometimes be challenging as well. And, making sure we have trustworthy workers so that we don't have to watch them 100 percent of the time."
In spite of the difficulties Pierson said the work itself has gone very well. He added that the fact that most of the contractors and workers are Iraqis has been a bonus.
"Having Iraqi workers is a big plus because we don't have the manpower here to be able to do all the construction work," Pierson said. "And it also helps the Iraqis to get back on their feet... get the country back on its feet. It doesn't make sense to bring our workers over here. It has to be done by Iraqis because they are the ones who will be living here."
Pierson added that the new construction and renovation will also improve the quality of the training that is conducted at the base and help to give the Iraqis a sense of ownership in the base.
"Everything will get better when we get the Iraqi troops into new facilities that have flushable toilets... good classrooms... air conditioning and tile floors," Pierson said. "In an environment that is conducive to learning I feel that the product you're going to get is going to be a lot better than what you have now. And, they get a sense of ownership, this is part of their country and they can have a sense of pride in their country by having their own base and facilities to learn in.
"Just having the correct facilities like obstacle courses and shooting ranges, where, not only are the facilities upgraded but you have additional shooting ranges and things like that, that will benefit the classes. And, though some of these things they had before, now they are being upgraded with new ideas incorporated into them," said Pierson.
Additional work at IMAR includes renovation of the clock tower buildings, seven concrete buildings, the medical clinic, a Morale Welfare and Recreation building, the Post Exchange and barber shop, the motor pool compound, the quartermaster store, armory and warehouse, and work on main roads and irrigation channels throughout the camp.
"They are on schedule. Everything was put off a little bit because of the fighting in April and in August," Pierson said. "And, you really get a lot of people scared when they get their name put on a list that says you cannot work with the Americans or we'll bring harm to your family, that's the biggest thing. Iraq is just full of threats, and sometimes they carry them out, so you have to take them seriously, so we have to show them that we will do what we can to provide security and to back them up."
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