America's North Shore Journal

More than 22 miles of roadway here and in surrounding communities are now fully lighted with 1,200 solar powered street lights, thanks to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region District.

The third and final phase of the project was completed recently by project engineers at Al-Anbar Resident Office, based in Ramadi.

“Even if it’s cloudy for the next three days, the system that we have emplaced here will still allow this clinic to have power 24 hours a day,” Martin said. “It allows the doctors to focus on their patients instead of focusing on what is supporting them in the system.”

Because the solar-powered clinics were well-received by the people, the Dagger Brigade placed solar-powered street lights in northwest Baghdad and Abu Ghraib to keep markets opened longer and are working on a solar-powered courthouse in Abu Ghraib.

In an effort to provide a better quality of life for the citizens of Iraq’s Ma’dain region, U.S. paratroopers here put their time and energy into learning how to set up and operate a solar-powered water filtration system, Sept. 5.

Paratroopers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division- Baghdad implemented a self-powered, energy efficient water filtration system to provide the area’s residents fresh, clean drinking water. However, for this system to be effective, regional leaders need to be shown how it works.

A series of intertwined, water-filled canals create a patchwork of green fields, abundant in crops near the section of al-Zooba, here, in Baghdad.

The intricate irrigation system provides essential water to the local farms but not to its inhabitants.

Ensuring energy use is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective helps to build Iraq’s security capabilities, a key infrastructure planner said here.

Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas N. Williams, an infrastructure planner for Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, said he’s found the best way to be environmentally friendly while saving costs is to ensure the highest possible degree of energy efficiency.

The roof of the New Iraq Health Clinic here in the Gazaliyah district looks a little different from the buildings surrounding it. Two rows of solar panels, collecting the bountiful Mesopotamian sunlight, now provide the building’s power through solar powered battery systems.

“As we expanded the emplacement of the lights they became a safety measure along main roadways and markets, allowing businesses to stay open later,” said 1st Lt. Thomas Wilson, 2nd HBCT. “They have invigorated the local economy and allowed people safer areas to socialize and be active during the cool nights.”