Mohammed Qasim, quality assurance representative for the electrical substation project, stands next to one of the six units recently delivered to the Al Anbar Ministry of Electricity. Each unit can distribute electrical power to 3,000 homes.

Fans of the old Star Trek television series were constantly bombarded each episode by Capt. Kirk pleading with Scotty, the engineering officer of the star ship Enterprise, for more engine power to escape one deep space disaster after another. Iraqi residents are also reiterating that plea for more electrical power with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity as they place more demands on an aging, underpowered and overworked national power grid.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been introducing innovative ways to solve electrical power issues and bridge the gap between supply and demand in Iraq’s quest for more electrical power. To date, USACE has completed 614 electrical projects totaling more than $3 billion. One such project was recently completed when the USACE Gulf Region District, Al Anbar Resident Office, delivered the final two of six mobile electrical substations to the Ministry of Electricity in Al Anbar province.

The project, according to Maj. Joseph Geary, officer in charge of the Al Anbar Resident Office, is designed to assist a generally neglected segment of the population. “The intent of the project is to provide the government of Iraq the equipment necessary to distribute power to many of its small villages and cities without the need for a much more expensive permanent substation,” Geary said. “Additionally, as the substation is entirely self-contained on a trailer, it allows flexibility to cover faults that often occur in the country’s aging power grid.”

The purpose of the substations, according to Geary, is to step-down the voltage emitted from the national power grid and make the electricity usable to the consumer. Electrical power from a power plant is distributed at 132kV (kilovolts). The portable substations are capable of stepping down the power to a more manageable 11kV, which when hooked into a transformer can supply electricity to homes and businesses. Each electrical substation unit can supply electricity to over 3,000 homes.

Al Anbar office engineers were tasked with designing and managing the construction of the six self-contained, trailer mounted 33kV/11kV substations, capable of being quickly tied into the national power grid. Unlike the normal substation design, the units had to be hardened and capable of operating in extreme desert environments, according to Geary. The substations also had to be durable enough to operate in that extreme environment for 15-years. The substation contract also includes a week of hands-on training for Iraqi technicians and government officials.

The portable substations are just one of the many USACE projects designed to provide sustainable electrical distribution capabilities in the Al Anbar region. “Our other active electrical projects include two large 132kV substations that serve the residents of Al Fallujah and Ar Ramadi,” Geary said. “Past projects by USACE include a 400kV overhead line, three 33kV/11kV permanent substations and numerous transformers and overhead lines serving individual neighborhoods in Fallujah and Ramadi.”

The Iraqi owned Altayf Al Abaid Enterprises served as the general contractor for the project. Funding for the $9.6 million project was provided through the Economic Support Fund.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq has completed thousands of reconstruction projects in partnership with the U.S. Government and the Government of Iraq. Since 2004, USACE has completed 5,257 projects throughout Iraq valued at more than $9.1 billion, and has more than 250 projects ongoing. The overall reconstruction effort in Iraq currently provides jobs for more than 20,000 Iraqis.

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Story by Michael Scheck

The II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), U.S. Force - West color guard stands at parade rest just prior to the beginning of the transfer of authority ceremony in which II MEF yielded command of Al Anbar province to 1st Armored Division, U.S. Division-Center at Camp Ramadi Jan. 23. The ceremony marks the end of nearly six years of Marine command of coalition forces in Iraq. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. Kayleigh J. Cannon)

The first major indicator of the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq occurred in Ramadi Jan. 23 when II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) transferred authority of Iraq’s largest province to 1st Armored Division.

Before the ceremony, 1st Armored Division’s area of operations, as U.S. Division-Center, encompassed Baghdad and its surrounded communities. The historic transfer of authority ceremony, held at Camp Ramadi, extends the division’s reach throughout Al Anbar Province; a vast western landscape spanning more than 53,000 square miles.

The ceremony also marks the closure of a nearly six-year U.S. Marines Corps command presence in Iraq and comes at a pivotal time when U.S. forces are transferring from combat operations to stability operations.

Since its activation as II MEF (Forward) on July 2, 2008, the Marine division worked with the people of Al Anbar and tribal sheiks to help secure peace and stability for the province and all of Iraq. The efforts of II MEF (Forward) built upon the developments made during two previous Marine Expeditionary Force rotations.

“This is a pivotal moment in the history of Iraq,” said Maj. Gen. R.T. Tryon, II MEF (Forward), commanding general of U.S. Force-West.

Marines have been at the heart of almost every major Iraq campaign period since February 2004, from the early battles in an-Najaf and Fallujah, along the western Euphrates River Valley which extends from Al Qa’im to Rawah; and continuing with the pivotal Awakening Movement which many historians and diplomatic experts credit as the turning of the tide against al Qaeda in Iraq.

“Since early 2004, the U.S. Marines serving in Al Anbar have consistently exemplified their motto, Semper Fi – Always Faithful,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, deputy commanding general for operations and I Corps commanding general, U.S. Forces-Iraq. “They have been especially faithful to the people of Al Anbar; the focal point of their mission in Iraq. Anbaris are resilient people who have sacrificed dearly but now emerge as stronger people.”

As the Marines say their goodbyes to the citizens and tribal leaders of Al Anbar, Iraqi soldiers and police officers in the region will begin working closely with 1st Armored Division, under the continued leadership of 1st Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade) who have been operating there for about six months. Army leaders with 1st Armd. Div., said they are eager to build on II MEF’s reputation; Tryon expressed confidence in their ability to do so.

“Today’s ceremony is certainly an example of continued positive change as we transition and consolidate U.S. forces under the flag of USD-C,” said Tryon. “Over the last several years, we have seen a logical and a desired progression in Anbar, moving from combat operations to counter insurgency operations, and now to stability operations.”

Tryon praised the efforts of the Iraqis and tribal sheiks in Al Anbar for their courage in standing against tyranny and violence in their streets.

“These things have not been accomplished over the course of the past several years because of what U.S. forces have done alone,” said Tryon. “Rather, these achievements are a result of what we have done together in partnership with one another and with the leadership of the Iraqi civil sector.

“We see over and again that we are at our best when we partner together to achieve our mutual objectives and goals working side-by-side, hand-in-hand,” he said,” “learning from one another in accomplishing our mutual mission.”

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.

“For many of us who have served with you on multiple tours across Iraq, we’ll never forget your sacrifices and all that you have given on our behalf,” Woolf said.

He emphasized that his division will match Al Anbar’s changing environment by assisting the region’s tribal sheiks and Iraqi security forces to ensure all Iraqis in the region enjoy the security and peace they deserve.

“Today is one of those transition points in the evolution of military operations as the 1st AD and USD-C takes over responsibility for partnering with Iraqi security forces and the provincial government of Al Anbar,” said Wolff. “As we move forward, we understand the importance of this year in Iraq, and the USD-C team has dedicated ourselves to that mission and the tasks ahead.”

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By Spc. Kayleigh Cannon

Army Sgt. Kristy Giagnocavo, a preventive medicine technician with 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade), takes water samples at Contingency Operating Site Ubaydi, Iraq, during autumn 2009. The environmental recommendations Giagnocavo made to the leadership of 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, resulted in vastly-improved living conditions for paratroopers living at Ubaydi. (U.S. Army courtesy photo)

Army medics knew they had a lot of work to do when they first visited Contingency Operating Site Ubaydi, a remote base in Al Anbar province, Iraq, in the fall of 2009.

“Ubaydi had rodent infestations and problems with sand flies. Additionally, their [kitchen sanitation facility] had problems with sanitation and waste disposal,” said Sgt. Kristy Giagnocavo.

Giagnocavo is a preventive medicine technician with 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade), specializing in disease and non-battle-injury prevention. Her duties include environmental surveillance of air, water and soil. Detailed reports from her preventive-medicine inspections provide recommendations and guidance to leaders that help keep paratroopers fit to fight.

Lt. Col. Xavier Brunson, commander of 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, took immediate action after reviewing Giagnocavo’s initial assessment of Ubaydi, where he would have paratroopers stationed.

Realizing the impact of disease and non-battle injuries, Brunson said, “Ensuring the health and welfare of our paratroopers is of paramount concern to the leaders of this battalion. Having the ability to call on the specialized training and abilities of Sgt. Giagnocavo… means that unlike the Union Army in the Civil War who lost over 200,000 [soldiers] to disease and pests, we are able to preserve our unit’s strength by the application of preventive medicine.”

On her follow-up visit to Ubaydi, Giagnocavo was satisfied that her initial assessment encouraged corrective action. The kitchen-material sanitation facility, housed by a tent without flooring, was plagued by dust contamination on pots and pans.

“[The battalion] solved the problem by building a hard structure with floors and shelving for cooking material,” she said.

Another area of concern was Ubaydi’s living quarters. Previously, paratroopers slept next to Hesco barriers and complained of sand flies and other insect problems. Hesco barriers, made of a collapsible wire mesh and fabric liner, are filled with sand and provide protection from blasts and small arms fire.

“They’re an attractive habitat for sand flies,” said Giagnocavo.

Paratroopers came up with a clever fix and an added bonus. “They used plywood to contain the barriers, which also added some much-needed shelf space,” she said.

With approximately two weeks of preventive-medicine missions each month, Giagnocavo’s job is enduring but fruitful. “The best part of my job is seeing improvements made from my recommendations,” she said.

As a result of her efforts, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Paratroopers are a healthier and more capable force.

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By Capt. Steve Johnson,
1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade),
Multi National Force – West

1st Lt. David Johnson talks with Iraqi children during a visit to the Basra's Al Hayyaniah Disctrict, Dec. 25, 2008.

Since the dawn of civilization, groups of people in the same geographical regions have formed cultures built upon generation after generation of similar religions, languages, views, and customs. Each is unique, and mutual respect for different cultures has become an important part of American society and foreign policy.

Awareness is also crucial for Multi National Force – West service members deployed to Iraq’s Al Anbar province a region steeped in culture far different than their own.

MNF-W actively seeks to better understand the local population of Iraq, and in some ways even adjust their military strategy so as not to offend the local populace or disturb their culture. The science of understanding culture is called human terrain mapping.

“Our job is to study the overall working of a society,” said Army Reserve 1st Lt. Shawn Lantz, a human terrain and cultural analyst aboard Al Asad Air Base. “We’re changing the way modern warfare is fought.”

Every action has a consequence, and when it comes to military operations, these consequences can effect how the local populace views American forces across entire areas of operation.

What the terrain mapping team is searching for varies with each assignment. They search for data on a variety of subjects, from how Iraqis view past and present military operations to how they feel about the mannerisms of individual troops. Their findings can help research teams aid coalition efforts in Iraq.

“Human terrain mapping is compiling cultural indicators ” things that tell us what the local populace is thinking,” said Daniel Priest, a contractor with MNF-W, who is a human terrain research manager. “We assess that information and present it in a way the Marine units can utilize.”

Staff Sgt. Shawn C. Kelly, a platoon sergeant with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, gives soccer balls to an Iraqi police officer and his children in Ramadi, Iraq, Nov. 27, 2008.

Operations like these are helping ground forces gain the trust of Iraqi citizens. By understanding the Iraqi population, coalition troops can uphold a certain behavioral standard, and as a result, represent the United States in a positive manner.

Working closely with social scientists, men like Priest and Lantz help by not only conducting the interviews and doing the research, but also by helping scientists develop and implement various research plans.

“We’re involved in studies to help pinpoint problems that may come up in all facets of society,” said Priest. “We help by informing MNF-W about any given issue so they can take appropriate steps in their planning.”

With the help of human terrain mapping, MNF-W can better understand Iraqi culture and help ensure that U.S. troops leave a positive impression on the people of Iraq long after their departure.

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Story by Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez