El Salvador has been a staunch ally in the War on Terror. Its troops have served alongside ours in Iraq sine 2003. Now they get to go home a winner.

The Salvadorian flag lowered for the last time in Iraq as Cuscatlán Battalion XI held its end-of-mission ceremony, marking the end to their mission here Jan. 22.

“The biggest accomplishment that the Cuscatlán Battalion had was the development of 319 reconstruction and humanitarian assistance projects,” said Col. Cesar Acosta, Cuscatlán Battalion XI commander.

Salvadorian Soldiers have been deployed to Iraq since Sept. 2003. The first two rotations were deployed to Najaf; the third through the fifth rotations were at Camp Charlie in Hilla; and the sixth rotation through this final one served the people of Wasit province while deployed to Forward Operating Base Delta.

“This rotation lived in different conditions than previous ones,” said Acosta, after their final humanitarian aid mission Dec. 31. “Transition of the province to Provincial Iraqi Control, the passage of the Security Agreement … all marked a new age in the situation here.

“Those situations take away our job, though,” he continued. “Our job is to support all progress here, and I believe our part of the mission was fulfilled in the last four months, as we worked hard with other Coalition forces.”

Marine Maj. Gen. Paul Lefebvre, Multi-National Corps – Iraq deputy commanding general, thanked the Salvadorians for all they had done for the people of Iraq.

“They have provided first class support to Operation Iraqi Freedom in the areas of construction, reconstruction and civil-military cooperation. Their contributions have been many and have had a profound effect on the great nation of Iraq,” said Lefebvre to the crowd.

Lefebvre commended Acosta and Sgt. Maj. Eduardo Argueta, Cuscatlán Battalion XI senior enlisted advisor, for their dedication to their mission and the more than 2,000 Salvadorian soldiers who have served in Iraq.

“You have both shouldered an extreme responsibility while you have been here, and you have done a fantastic job. You led your troops with confidence and competency, the goals of any great leader. Their successes are a reflection of their great leadership,” Lefebvre said.

Salvadorian President Elias Antonio Saca announced in a speech Dec. 23, 2008 the eleventh rotation would be the final mission for the Cuscatlán Battalion.

Throughout the ceremony, the Salvadorian soldiers shouted “Cuscatlán” when brought to the position of attention by the commander of troops and sang along with the Cuscatlán Battalion Anthem at the end of the ceremony.

“Never forget what you have accomplished here. Years from now, you will be able to look back and know that you were part of something great, something that shaped the world for future generations,” Lefebvre said.

Since El Salvador’s troops arrived in Iraq in 2003 they have completed 319 construction and humanitarian projects. These projects included:

77 electrical projects for Iraqi municipalities; 32 construction and improvement projects; 40 Public Health projects providing medical and dental supplies to local clinics; 49 Transportation Initiatives, providing buses and taxis to local municipalities and 50 School projects and providing supplies to students from the elementary to university level.

During this period the contingents also assisted in 600 convoy escorts, 21,000 patrols and more than 200 quick reaction force missions.

MNF-I

Running cable isn’t that interesting unless you stop and play with the puppy

Spc. Rebecca Greer of Company B, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, runs cable in a conference room on Forward Operating Base Delta, Iraq, June 21, 2008. “It already works,” she said. “Now we’re just making it look pretty.”

“Running cable isn’t that interesting unless you stop and play with the puppy,” said Army Spc. Jennifer Dimitroff, a Lancaster, Calif., native assigned to Company B, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion here.

The puppy Dimitroff mentioned was adopted by contractors living near one of the many manholes Company B’s soldiers are working to refurbish.

Company B provides voice and data services for Forward Operating Base Delta, as well as 12 other sites, Army Capt. Kelly McCay, Company B commander, said.

These soldiers stay busy establishing and running a technical control facility as well as 26 miles of fiber-optic cable through a series of manholes around the base. They work to ensure communications are available for all who need them, said McCay, a Central City, Ky., native.

Company B is also on the front line as FOB Delta grows, working to provide for all new units and personnel.

“As new buildings are raised, we work within the construction process to ensure they are wired for communications,” McCay said.

New construction is only half the mission. Company B also must service existing cables. As the 41st Fires Brigade arrives from Fort Hood, Texas, and prepares to take charge of FOB Delta, the number of work orders has jumped by 65 percent.

“One challenge has been dealing with the speed of growth on the FOB,” said Army 1st Lt. Michael Marrinan, a Wyckoff, N.J., native and officer in charge of the technical control facility. “There’s an issue with resources and a lack of personnel. We have to manage who’s most important for the mission to keep up with how fast demand is growing.”

Morale remains high in the company despite the challenges, McCay said.

“Many times, people don’t see the impact of their work; they just work their shifts,” he said. “The motivation level is high because they see the impact each day of what they’re doing.”

These soldiers have proven to be flexible, often working in jobs for which they never trained.

Army Spc. Blake Martin, a satellite communications technician, said he has no regrets about coming to Iraq.

“I wanted to do my part,” he said. “I saw soldiers on TV working over here and wanted to do my part to help that. I joined to come over here. … I feel I’ve done my part here.”

DVIDS
By Army Sgt. Daniel T. West
214th Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office