The Euphrates River fulfills many of the economic needs for the people of Iraq. For all of its advantages though, it does create a challenge for the Iraqi police who are in charge of security for the area.

To remedy this situation, Sailors with Riverine Squadron 3, Riverine Detachment 2, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 have been holding classes for the IP on basic seamanship.

“We are teaching them the basics so when we leave they will be able to take over patrolling the river,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason H. Gialenes, 24, from Huntington Beach, Calif., who is a gunner and instructor with Riverine Squadron 3.

WORKING TOGETHER AFLOAT
The policemen in the class came from all over western al-Anbar province to learn everything from knot tying to boat maneuvers as they learn to adapt their police knowledge to aquatic patrolling. For many of the policemen, the 21-day class is there first experience working on boats.

“They are already police officers, so they know how to patrol and move on the land,” said Gialenes. “We are trying to get them comfortable with operating the boats.”

With policemen from several different police departments in western al-Anbar province and different backgrounds, the Riverines, as the Sailors liked to called, make a point of teaching the policemen to work together.

“Even though some of them come from different tribes, we really tried to emphasize them working as a team,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Ramzi Zinnekah, 34, from Palm Springs, Calif., who is an electronics technician and the class instructor with Riverine Squadron 3.

NAVY SEAMANSHIP
The course is based on Naval seamanship classes that Zinnekah, who is fluent in Arabic, teaches in Arabic. Gialenes then takes the students out for practical application along with several other instructors.

“The classes are good because they teach us, and everyone knows what is going on,” said Lt. 1st class Mansour Sa’id Rwaili through an interpreter, who has been with the Haditha-Barwana police force for two years. “Ramzi [Zinnekah] explains things so we know what they want us to do.”

Once on the water, the instructors on the boats run scenarios with the policemen in which they practice approaching other crafts and high-speed maneuvering. The policemen even practice “surprise” man-overboard drills to keep them alert.

“[The policemen] are learning really well; like if I jump out of the boat to simulate a man-overboard they know how to respond and get me back on the boat, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Russel E. Osbun, 23, who is from El Centro, Calif., who is a training instructor with Riverine Squadron 3. “I enjoy the cultural exchange and watching them learn something that is going to help them provide a service for their country.”

DVIDS
By Lance Cpl. Paul M. Torres
Regimental Combat Team 5

Members of the 542nd Support Maintenance Company work with local Iraqis to help sustain the flow of water into Contingency Operating Base Adder and Camp Cedar. Serving under the 7th Sustainment Brigade, the 542nd fuels and services generators located at nearby homes off base. Locals are hired to monitor water pumps and canals that run into the Euphrates River, so the team also practices community relations. Their efforts provide a steady water supply to the thousands of service members on COB Adder and Camp Cedar.

The 542nd, a unit from Ft. Lewis, Washington, travels four or five times a week to visit the three sites. They routinely check pipes for leaks, annotate if a centrifugal pump is not working correctly, and make sure no one is stealing fuel from the generators.

They also get a report of any physical activity from the Iraqi monitors. Monitors generally watch for debris and small animals like fish in the pipes. Curious children would seem to be a concern, but one Iraqi monitor said there have been no real problems.

“The kids normally don’t bother the area,” said an Iraqi who has worked with the military since 2005. “The kids come over when the soldiers visit but only to get stuff [like candy and clothes].”

Sgt. Kevin Tamberg, the team’s non-commissioned officer in charge, said the local sheiks keep a tight guard on the area. Anything out of the ordinary is reported to the sheiks. The sheiks pass the info to a local post’s garrison command through an interpreter.

Tamberg, a Hattiesburg, Mississippi native, said the sheiks are highly respected and the locals normally have no issues with the military.

“We have a tight bond and it begins from working with the locals,” he said.

During these reports, it’s common for the team to get requests from the monitors. At the first stop, Tamberg meets with water monitor ‘Hani’. After giving his report, ‘Hani’ leads the group inside his hut and points out the condition of his bed. Constructed of cardboard slats and thin bed rails, ‘Hani’ said his wife has continually complained about its condition and said he should ask the Coalition Forces to bring a new one. Tamberg takes down the information, thanks ‘Hani’ for his time and moves to the next station.

Furniture requests was not an action team members expected to do when they got orders to deploy to Iraq. Tamberg said when the unit arrived in Iraq, some soldiers were nervous.

“They were worried about being shot at and blown up,” Tamberg said. “Once [the soldiers] realized we were working with the locals and how important their efforts were to the leadership, they were motivated.”

Tamberg said his soldiers don’t feel like they’re wasting time.

“They’re motivated because every time they go out, they know they were making a true difference.”

“We’ve connected emotionally with these people,” said Tamberg. “They don’t want anything to happen to us because we offer them more jobs, more chances to learn a trade. They may have a skill or trade they learned in the past and now can apply it – not only for us but their own people.”

Children show up from near and far when the 542nd arrives on site. They come from neighboring homes, even rowing their boats across the Euphrates to spend time with the visiting soldiers. The kids have an unrelenting enthusiasm for the visitors, asking for candy, water, anything of value. The requests rarely cease even when the soldiers finish their duties and return to their humvees.

Responding professionally to the requests of the locals can be taxing. 2nd Lt. Jaclyn Adams, the convoy commander for the water canal pump team, said the job has been ‘really difficult, but very rewarding’ for her soldiers.

“We’re seeing people who are not like us,” said Adams. “It’s a mixing of cultures . . . we interact, bring them food, water, clothes. Soldiers have been writing people at home so they can send stuff.”

Tamberg said the children’s attitude is infectious.

“Seeing little boys and girls open up with a smile opens up the soldiers even more,” Tamberg said, “so even when we have to get up at early morning hours to do long days, it’s made better by the time we spend with the kids.”

Tamberg, an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran since 2003, said the reversal of policy by coalition forces has created a different mindset for the Iraqis he meets.

“Compared to now, I rarely had any contact with local nationals (on my first tour),” said Tamberg. “Some would come on my base to do small jobs . . . some would shy from us, some would be open-minded.”

Tamberg said he didn’t really see many children except for those who would come to the side of the road near convoys asking for stuff. By entering their neighborhoods, the kids’ curiosity toward soldiers emerged.

“They’re always asking us questions, trying to learn more English,” Tamberg said. “Instead of asking us for something, some will ask us to join them for supper or to kick the soccer ball around.”

Private first-class Brian Lawrence said he regularly plays with the kids. It makes them feel comfortable [with us],” said Lawrence, who has two children. “Doing that makes it easier when other convoys come; (the children) won’t get nervous and start throwing stuff to hurt the soldiers.”

Lawrence said, however, that it was important for soldiers not to lose their professionalism.

“If someone’s not being professional at a time they need to be, BOOM! . . . there goes your truck.”

The team is predominantly made of young people; 12 of 20 people are under the age of 25. Adams, who is 23, said fighting complacency is a big issue with the team.

“Guys are so young,” she explained, “It’s hard to keep them on their toes, from being complacent. We make sure we cover that (concern) all the time, preaching safety.” “We don’t want [the soldiers] to be comfortable outside the wire, with the local nationals,” Adams said. “There’s a line that you cannot cross.”

Adams said they have a good relationship with the locals but added there will always be potential issues with locals, so the team’s fate is partially in the Iraqis’ hands.

“We’re on their land,” said Adams, “If they have a problem with us, you never know what’s going to happen.” “[We] have to make sure they like us,” she laughs.

DVIDS
Story by Spc. Anthony Hooker

From the blue Euphrates River, the tan bluff looked ominous as the huge shiny blade of the Seabee bulldozer pushed over the edge, shoving the first load of dirt down for the roadway to the new bridge site. Three bulldozers, two excavators, various graders, loaders, and dump trucks helped work the big dig, the largest project Naval Mobile Construction Battalion has worked during their deployment to Iraq, so far.

Together with the U.S. Army’s 814th Multi-Role Bridge Company, the Marine Corps’ 3rd Combat Engineering Battalion, Mabey-Johnson Bridge Company and the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources, NMCB 17 worked to complete the 301 meter long Mabey Johnson Float Bridge in Baghdad, Iraq. The completed bridge, in support of Multi National Force-West lines of communication, enables the support of coalition operations in the area between the Euphrates River and Lake Thar Thar to the east. In support of this, Seabees also placed over 986 linear feet of aggregate/road base.

Moving Dirt

Seabees from NMCB 17 began the project by undertaking the tremendous earthmoving task. The west bluff was massive and required over 78,000 cubic yards of excavation and nearly 6,000 cubic yards of backfill. They constructed two embankments, a boat launch ramp, and two 1,200 foot long access roads down the bluff to the river. Next, they went to the east side and prepared a single embankment for the bridge centerline. While that was going on, Seabees transported the bridge pontoons and bridge parts, and once at the site, began welding the support I-beams to the pontoons.

The 814 MRBC began their task of assembling the bridge, and with the assistance of a Seabee excavator, they launched the various sections into the river. Finally, the groups completed the last section, putting down the tail access onto the east side.

“It is amazing to see how much earth you Seabees have moved,” said Rear Admiral Richard Cellon, Commander of the First Naval Construction Division, as he looked at the huge cut down the bluff. When he stood on a large parking area between the embankments, he commented on how large a project this was and how proud he was of his Seabees.

“You are making excellent progress,” said Rear Adm. Cellon. “I hear nothing except positive things about all you are doing.”

Welding the Bridge

As the 814 MRBC began work on the bridge section assembly, Seabee welders began work on the huge project ahead of them.

“We completed over 1,700 feet of welds,” said Steelworker 1st Class Gregory Harsha. “And that’s not including the double and triple welds we had to make when the gaps were large.”

The pontoons were launched two at a time into the river and moored to the west side Hesco embankment. The I-beams were already temporarily mounted to the pontoons and the Seabees broke off the temporary angle braces to measure and position the beams for permanent welding attachment. As the Seabees completed a double pontoon assembly, the 814 MRBC would have a bridge section ready to launch onto them.

Petty Officer 1st Class Frederick Spencer, equipment operator, used an excavator bucket to hold onto the tail portion of the bridge as the Soldiers of the 814 MRBC completed the assembly and bearing plate positioning for the first section.

“It’s not a hard job,” said Spencer. “I just move the bridge section where they want it.”

Spencer used his excavator bucket to help with the next sections also. After the Soldiers completed each section assembly, they would add on a tail portion for the excavator to hold onto. Next they would put rollers under the section, allowing the excavator to slowly move the bridge over the pontoons to bolt the bridge section and pontoons together. Then the excavator would release the tail section, the Army boats would hold the floating section in position and the Soldiers would begin dissembling the tail portions. Lastly the boats would maneuver the completed section into position to hook onto the previous bridge section.

The tail portions had to be disassembled over the water, resulting in tools occasionally being dropping into the river. One Soldier was the company swimmer assigned to dive down in the shallow depths and find them.

“We climb and hang onto the sides of the bridge sections with full gear on,” said Army Pfc. Crystal May. “Guys can’t help but drop things occasionally.”

Iraqi Fishermen Assist

Problems the coalition force had to deal with were low water levels and algae clogging up the propulsion and cooling intakes of the Army bridge erection boats. NMCB 17’s Lt. Donald Petersen, OIC for the bridge project, coordinated this effort with local Sheik Hasseer Kahtan. Helping to fix that were three small boats of Iraqi fishermen, using long rakes to break-up the algae. The river current would then take the algae pieces downstream away from the boats.

“We like to work with the U.S.,” said Abdullah Jossum. “Is – good thing.”

Just upstream from the new bridge are old foundations of an ancient water wheel irrigation system. Standing tall, the tan brick supports arch over the water and look like they were part of an old bridge foundation.

“They were never for a bridge,” said Peterson. “They mounted a vertical water wheel that brought up water for irrigation of the nearby fields.”

Using Bridge for Electrical Generation

Looking to use the river’s power to turn horizontal water wheels was Marine Chief Warrant Officer Jeremy Lowe, of Regimental Combat Team 5. He measured the current under the bridge with the Navy’s old nautical knot measuring system.

“I drop the empty water bottle into the river with the knotted rope attached,” said Lowe. “If the knots on the rope pass through my hand faster than one every 1.5 seconds, then that means the river has a three knot current. The Euphrates current is just a little faster than that, so it will certainly be enough to turn the horizontal water wheels in the Gorlov Helical Turbine Generators.”

The Gorlov turbines will attach to the center section pontoons and use the river current to turn the horizontal water wheels. They will generate electricity for irrigation or whatever use the Iraqi government or coalition forces might want. With four pontoons in the center group, there could be up to eight generators, four on the up-river and four on the down-river sides.

“The center of the river is the only location where there is enough water depth and current to properly turn the turbines,” said Lt. Petersen. “The other pontoons are in the shallower part of the river by the shoreline where the current is slower.”

Warrant Officer Lowe commented on how safe and eco-friendly the turbine generators are.

“These hydro-turbines are very environmentally friendly,” said Lowe. “The Iraqis could power whatever they wanted to with very minimal impact to their local ecosystem.”

Visiting the completed bridge was, Marine Major General John F. Kelly, commanding general of Multi-National Forces West.

“This was a genuine coalition forces effort,” said Maj. Gen. Kelly talking about the large project. “Everyone pitched in to do their part.”

The major general asked some local Iraqis to be the first local citizens to cross the new bridge. On the walk across he asked an Iraqi man for his help in the struggle against the insurgents.

“We need your help against al-Qaida,” said Kelly. “You (Iraqi citizens) and the Iraqi army will have to eventually take over the protection for this bridge.”

The local Iraqi man answered back with the response the general was looking for.

“We’re with you,” said Mohammed Rashid. “We are so glad to be able to cross the river.”

As the major general prepared to leave, he made the effort to especially thank the Seabees for all of their work and gave several of them coins.

“I always hear tremendously good things about you guys,” said Kelly. “The work you do helps us in the coalition forces and the local Iraqi people so much. We really appreciate all that you do.”

DVIDS
By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenny Ragland
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion

In the small community of Baghdadi, service members and local Iraqis worked together to finish the Baghdadi Bridge, and a new way of crossing the Euphrates River is now open to traffic.

Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Iraqis worked together to complete the 301-meter bridge May 22, making it the longest floating bridge in Iraq, said Capt. Douglas R. Cunningham, company commander for Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

“I didn’t think the bridge would be so big until we got all the pieces together,” said Lance Cpl. Joshua S. Hardin, metal worker, from Lawrenceburg, Ky., with Maintenance Company, CLB-6, 1st MLG. “Previously the longest bridge was only two pontoons long, this bridge is seven.”

Two Marines with Maintenance Company welded 1,600 feet of steel themselves. They worked alongside Navy Seabees and Army Engineers.

“This will cut down the six-hour convoy that it would take to go around,” said Pfc. John Z. Wilson, metal worker, from Houston, with Maintenance Company. “Convoys would have to go from Camp Al Asad up to Camp Haditha then back down.”

Hardin said they were the only two Marine welders out of seven between the different services. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 17, 1st Naval Construction Regiment, 1st Naval Construction Division, aided in the welding and assembling, as well as the Army’s 814th Engineer Company.

“It was great to have Maintenance Marines work on something like this,” said Cunningham, from Anchorage, Alaska. “Twenty years from now, they can tell their grandkids what they did in Iraq. They can be proud of something they did that will have enduring value for the Iraqis.”

With their “can do” attitude, Seabees assisted in the transportation of all the materials to the sight. They prepared the ground on both sides of the river.

“Constructing a floating bridge here as opposed to a regular sky bridge is a lot faster, easier and it’s more durable method,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer L. Donahue, operations officer, NMCB-17.

The local Iraqis helped in whatever way they could during this project. When it was time for the 814th to maneuver the pontoons into place, they found the river grass was effecting their operations. The local sheiks saw the problem and came up with their own solution. The next morning, several small boats with locals were raking the river bottom to clear the way for the Army. Then the project could proceed.

“The (best part of this mission) was the opportunity we had to form partnerships with the Iraqis, to work with the Iraqis, and to develop something beneficiary to them,” Cunningham said. “It’s going to help them become more stable and self sufficient.”

This bridge will also benefit coalition forces in the area.

Donahue, from Midland, Texas, said she was very proud of the Seabees who were on site for 54 days working on the project.

“It’s a great contribution to know we are helping the Marines be able to cross the river,” sad Donahue. “It was all a joint effort between the Marines, Navy, Army, and the Iraqis. This would have never happened without everybody’s help.”

DVIDS
By Lance Cpl. Robert C. Medina
1st Marine Logistics Group