Here are two articles from the military illustrating our efforts to help the Iraqis secure their long border with Iran.
Sometimes an army runs on its haricuts
Mar 8th, 2010
At the graduation ceremony, Brig. Gen. Abd Al Kareem, commander of the school, presented each student with a certificate of completion for the course and congratulated them on being the first students to graduate from the class.
The students were enthusiastic about returning to their units to put their new knowledge and skills into practice.
Kirkuk base sewer project trains Iraqi workers
Mar 5th, 2010
“The Air Force is here to see that the rules and regulations are followed by the contractor,” said Wohlfert. “Iraq does not have the same building codes as the U.S. The electricians and plumbers are learning new skills on this project. The quality of workmanship has grown in leaps and bounds.”
The project in turn benefits the community by using a local contractor, Sameh Saber owner of Black Gold Holding Company, was born and raised in Kirkuk.
The school, which has been under construction for four months, was built with the village’s future in mind and to house the students in the growing community.
“The old school had only three classrooms, said Arif Jabbar Mutar, the chairman of Tikrit City Council. “It’s not enough to absorb all students from the village.”
With six classrooms, working latrines and two rooms for the teachers, this school will pave the way toward education. The new school has enough room to house 200, 6-to-12-year-old students and their teachers.
The peaceful city of Samarra
Jan 29th, 2010
There is a feeling of peace and security now, as markets are open and children are playing in the streets.
“The citizens are calling in reports,” he said during the interview. “The people have turned against violent extremists.
Marines Win! Anbar province peaceful
Jan 24th, 2010
The casing of the II MEF colors signified completion of the Marine Corps mission in Iraq. As the Marine color guard marched their colors off the stage, the Army color guard replaced them. Maj. Gen. Terry Wolff, 1st Armored Division, U.S. Division-Center commanding general, said the accomplishments of the Marines in the region will not be in vain.
Engineers Bring Light to Fallujah
Jan 13th, 2010
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.
Abraham’s Well
Jan 11th, 2010
Although there is no proof that Abraham stopped at this particular oasis, Lanigan said it would have made sense for Abraham to have followed a path through this area.
“[Abraham] definitely traveled north, instead of going all the way west,” he said. “That would be a deadly march because there really is not any fresh water. So he had to have moved along the Euphrates [River].”
Al Majaar Al Kabir sugar factory to be refurbed
Jan 5th, 2010
They were escorting TF-BSO personnel to evaluate the Al Majaar Al Kabir Sugar Factory, in need of renovation. The manager of the sugar factory brought in engineers and representatives from several departments within his corporation to meet with the taskforce.
TF-BSO recently completed two inspections with “B” Btry. The first was an initial evaluation of the factory’s buildings. The second was to examine the machinery inside and the sugar cane fields once used to supply the factory.
The fields still grow sugar cane, but, without the means to refine it into a finished product, locals have to sell the cane to factories outside of Maysan. The refined sugar then makes its way back to the province and is resold at increased prices in local markets.
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