Dear Interested Readers,
Our Engineering Companies are in the spotlight, solar lighting up neighborhoods in Baghdad, and helping to build infrastructure in Mosul, as security improves. They're also passing on their knowledge to their Iraqi counterparts. Special Group criminals continue to be captured or killed, and weapons/munition caches too numerous to recount, due to space, have been reported.
Joanna
_______________________________________
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
June 23, 2008
IA, MND-B Soldiers light up Baghdad neighborhood
BAGHDAD - At first glance it doesn't look like much: a construction site with a large wooden box strapped to a forklift, a crane, approx. 15 IA and MND - Baghdad Soldiers, and a small pile of equipment. Such were the humble beginnings of a project that involves installing solar-powered street lights in order to deter militant and criminal activity, improve public safety and security, and ease the burdens on the growing Iraqi infrastructure.
"The 4th ID has been the driving force through this project," said Capt. Adam Levitt, currently on a military
transition team from 4th ID as the engineer advisor for the 6th IA Div. "(They) came in and said, 'We want to do something to help the people and the Iraqi SF.'"
Levitt, along with Darryl Steadman, a civilian advisor, a translator and approx. 10 IA soldiers, began to install the first 4 of 100 solar-powered street lights, June 19.
"Right now, the infrastructure won't support [this many new lights]," said Steadman. "Although Iraq is working on the electrical grid and the infrastructure ... it's not quick enough. We need something now, and this seems to be a pretty good solution."
According to Col. Ahmed Khalifa, cmdr. of the engineer battalion, the lights will provide the only light at night for some areas. The installation of the first lights went smoothly.
"[The IA soldiers] want to be involved in this on a level that will show at least us, as advisors ... that they can handle this on their own and that they're ready to take on their mission with very little help or assistance from U.S. or CF," said Steadman.
"This project has been extremely rewarding, said Levitt. "Everybody's picking up a wrench; everybody's carrying heavy equipment. You don't need a translator for that."
Steadman, who served in Iraq in 2003-2004 as a member of the U.S. military, said that although he feels Iraq still has work to do, the country has come a long way. "I think this gives confidence to the people," said Steadman.
"People are driving up and down and seeing lights going in. What kind of message does this give to the people? We're here to help, and we're going forward; we're not stagnant."
2nd Lt. Wesam Mohamad, currently assigned to the 6th IA Div eng. bn, locks the mounting pole of a solar panel into place, as one of his fellow soldiers looks on.
Darryl Steadman (center left), describes the proper position for a mounting post for a solar panel to members of the 6th IA Div eng. bn.
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Mosul engineers reinforce the fight
TIKRIT - Since March, the 94th Eng. Bn has aided Iraqi SF in their effort to drive insurgents out of Mosul by providing force protection, combat outposts and safer roads. Mosul may still be a dangerous place, but the unit's leadership remains positive.
"First, we're going to make Mosul safe. Then, we're going to make it better," said Lt. Col. Luke Leonard, bn cmdr.
Their component units, 77th Eng. Co. (Vertical), 103rd Eng. Co. (Horizontal), and 232nd Eng. Co. (Horizontal) continue to construct COPs and upgrade force protection in and around the city. They are also providing essential route clearance assets to clear the roads of IEDs, which is beyond its typical construction capabilities.
The 59th Combat Effects Eng. Co. has conducted more than 7,000 km route clearance work since its arrival, making the roads in and around Mosul safe and trafficable.
The 94th Eng. Bn. has completed more than 50 construction projects in and around Mosul in 3 months, resulting in numerous COPs and traffic control points, which are essential to the fight in the city. Some outposts are many acres in size, while some are the size of a baseball diamond. No matter what the size, however, they are all carefully planned and placed resulting in increased security in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Pfc. Andre Torres, a carpentry and masonry specialist assigned to the 77th Eng. Co., 94th Eng. Bn, puts the finishing touches on a Southwest Asia hut at a COP in Mosul, in April. SWAhuts are buildings used for lodging and work.
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MND-B Soldiers prevent Special Group criminals from emplacing IEDs, kill six
BAGHDAD - MND - Baghdad Soldiers disrupted efforts by Special Groups criminals to emplace IEDs, killing six and wounded another during a joint op in the New Baghdad security district of eastern Baghdad, June 20.
"Neither we nor our Iraqi partners will tolerate attempts by these criminals to inflict indiscriminate violence through the use of IEDs or other means," said Maj. Joey Sullinger, spokesperson for 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div. "These Special Group criminals who do not lay down their arms and embrace Iraq's peaceful and prosperous future will be pursued, captured or killed."
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MND-B Soldiers detain suspected Special Groups criminal
BAGHDAD - At approx. 4:30 a.m., June 21 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, Soldiers from the 1st BCT, 4th ID, detained the highly sought after criminal during a targeted op in the Bayaa community.
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Engineers pass knowledge on to Iraqi counterparts
TIKRIT - Engineers from the 232nd Combat Effects Co. (Horizontal) visited the 4th IA Div's Eng. Regt, June 19 to familiarize the team with key engineer equipment.
"We are one team," declared Lt. Col. Kameel, the cmdr. of the 1st Field Eng. Co., as he discussed the training with Capt. Abigail Cathelineaud, the cmdr. of the 232nd CEC, based out of Fort Leonard, Wood, Missouri.
Iraqi eng. Soldiers took turns operating the armored grader under the supervision of Sgt. 1st Class David Sullivan. He remarked on how eager the Iraqis were to get behind the complicated controls of the machine. "It was a great familiarization with the piece of equipment," he said.
Pvt. Erick Carrasco agreed, "It was productive and I learned at the same time." He said this was the second time he worked with Iraqi engineers to train on equipment; the first time was operating the crane. "I honestly look forward to working with them again because it's good for their country."
Lt. Col. Kameel and Capt. Abigail Cathelineaud, observes joint engineer training on June 19, at FOB Danger near Tikrit.
Sgt. 1st Class David Sullivan of the 232nd, puts an Iraqi eng. Soldier in the driver's seat as they get familiarized with the armored grader.
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MND-B Soldiers discover weapons, detain suspected criminal
BAGHDAD - June 21, in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, at approx. 2 a.m., Soldiers from the 1st BCT, 4th ID, discovered 7 80 mm mortar rounds, a RPG with launcher, 2 mortar tubes, a pair of two-way radios, a rifle and a bipod, in the Jihad community.
Soldiers also detained a suspected criminal at approx. 8:45 a.m. in the Zubaida neighborhood.
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