Brightly colored Iraqi workers clean the streets of Jamilla Market, the economic hub of Sadr City on Jan. 28

Under the direction of Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Talley, commander, 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division–Baghdad, the last ten months brought significant engineering progress to Baghdad, specifically in Sadr City.

The creation of Task Force Gold and Gold Spike provided reconstruction projects aimed at employing the people of Baghdad and improving essential services.

“We bring employment back into the community,” said Master Sgt. Tracy Jackson, TF Gold Spike’s operations non-commissioned officer in charge. “And keep the projects equal on both sides; Sunni and Shia.”

The 926th Eng. Bde. is in the process of handing this reconstruction mission over to the incoming 225th Engineer Brigade, under the command of Col. Owen Monconduit, of Pineville, La.

Since arriving in Baghdad just over a week ago, the Col. Monconduit has toured construction projects throughout Baghdad with Col. Jared Olsen, TF Gold’s commander.

“The projects are impressive,” said Monconduit. “They were of good quality and very professional. The 225th Eng. Bde. will maintain work on a continuum of the same level of quality that has a direct impact on the local economy.”

Formed in September, 2008, TF Gold acted as a catalyst towards the successful reduction of violence in Sadr City, after achieving similar results in the Rusafa district of Baghdad. Jackson said the 926th engineers assembled a team to work closely with the local government and Iraqi contractors to enhance the quality.

Monconduit explained his Louisiana-based engineers will continue to build relationships in the community and with Iraqi leaders.

“We will work in partnership with the government of Iraq and provide a ‘can-do’, positive environment, a safe environment, that the community can self-sustain and really build themselves. It’s in the capacity of the community to provide that work.”

The al Fadhel district of Rusafa, once filled with standing pools of raw sewage and piles of trash to walk, now have cleared alley ways and streets, all signs of progress in the area. Freshly painted columns lining the main streets and areas slotted for solar lights are additional projects the commanders surveyed.

“Some of the main projects include trash, sewage, sidewalk repair, solar light installation and column repair,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Rogers, pay agent for TF Gold Spike.

In Jamilla Market, the economic hub of Sadr City, delivery trucks lined the busy streets while the interior was packed with shoppers and goods for sale on the newly paved streets and sidewalks, a sign of the revitalization of the area that has improved dramatically over the last year.

“The combination of U.S. and Iraqi funds, coupled with the hard work of local Iraqis and coalition forces, have positively impacted the essential services and public infrastructure in both the Sadr City and Rusafa sectors of Baghdad,” Olsen. “These positive impacts contribute to sustained security and create a sense of hope for the citizens in these areas of Baghdad.”

DVIDS
By Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jennifer Keefer
926th Engineer Brigade Public Affairs Office

Leaders from the 55th Brigade, 17th Iraqi Army Division, local Sheiks and Task Force Thunder, 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad participated in a bridge reopening ceremony Jan. 18 in Mahmudiyah, south of Baghdad.

The improvement in security and reduction in sectarian violence made it possible to reopen the bridge which had separated a tribal community. The reopening also returns the area to a sense of normalcy.

Iraqi Col. Rasheed, commander of the 55th Brigade, 17th Iraqi Army Division, discussed how important the bridge over the Salty River is with local shaykhs and how its opening is another step to improving the Mahmudiyah region in Iraq.

“This is one of the good things we are doing in the area. There will be more coming, including water purification and road paving. This will alleviate the suffering of the people,” he said.

The Mamour tribe occupies much of the area on both sides of the bridge and was split when the bridge closed. Relatives had to drive many kilometers east or west of the bridge to find another way across. Now, a more direct route is available to visit their families. Children who traveled a long distance to receive their education now only have a short bridge to cross on school days.

“This is one of the biggest things we can do as Coalition Forces to get life back together for the Mamour Tribe,” said Capt. Gregory Martens, Company A, 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad executive officer.

The bridge was shut down for an extended period of time due to an insurgent attack on Coalition forces.

Rasheed and the shaykhs spoke of how the IA will be responsible for providing security for the bridge and of how improved security will benefit the Iraqis living on both sides of the Salty River. The IA intends to have a system where only those with badges will be authorized to cross over the bridge. Some who stand to benefit from the bridge’s reopening include those whose families are split by the Salty River, children going to school, and those requiring access to work on the other side of the river.

“The bridge opening today symbolizes the barriers we all work together to break down, each towards a brighter future for Iraq,” said Maj. Eric Savickas, 4th Bn., 27th FA Regt., 2nd BCT, 1st AD, MND-B, executive officer.

MNF-I

Along a road a man sells hot, fresh rotisserie chicken under a string of lights. Nearby, two men stand in warm coats and knitted caps casually sipping a hot drink at a store front where another man in a blue “USA” sweatshirt moves quickly back and forth behind a glass counter tossing fresh ingredients in warm pitas for a growing line of patrons.

It’s just a typical evening Dec. 18 along the street market near the Jamilla and Al Quds Road in Baghdad’s Sadr City district.

“It’s really bustling isn’t it,” said Lt. Col. Michael Pemrick deputy commanding officer for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division Baghdad.

Pemrick is excited when he walks this street now because only seven months ago his Soldiers along with their partners in the Iraqi Army, fought a pitched battle on this street, and others like it to take control of this once volatile district.

“Before, when you heard the word Sadr City, you pictured an urban war zone,” he said. “Now, the people are relaxed, they are comfortable around Americans, and the IA have a good relationship with the people.”

Today, store fronts once littered with broken glass, and doorways that once covered U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers from sniper fire and rocket propelled grenades are home to barber shops, clothing stores and restaurants.

“Looking back on it, it just doesn’t seem like the same street,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Condreay, a military policeman for 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. and patrol leader for Pemrick’s command security detachment.

He believes the change in Sadr City is largely in part to the rise in confidence and professionalism displayed by the Iraqi Army who patrol the streets there.

“The IA have become very productive. They have a real sense of pride in what they’re doing,” Condreay said.

Pemrick spoke with Iraqi Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 42nd Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division before touring the street and talking to citizens.

“We’re glad you’re here,” he tells an Iraqi company commander. “You’re doing a great job.”

The Iraqi Army have controlled Sadr City north of the wall along the Jamilla and Al Quds Road since May, and they partner with Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers south of the wall where many of Sadr City’s markets operate and thrive thanks to the reconstruction efforts of 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

He said he thinks the efforts of the IA have effectively defeated the criminal elements that once terrorized Sadr City and have now set the conditions for a much better future for all of Sadr City’s residents.

“The cooperation between the U.S. and the IA has turned this place around,” Condreay said.

MNF-I

Photographer: Sgt. James Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

Life at Baghdad Zoo Returning to Normal With Stable Security

Iraqi police and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers visited Zawra Park in the Karkh District of Baghdad for a firsthand view of the bustling area on Oct. 5, 2008.

Huge numbers of visitors came to the busy city park as part of Eid al Fitr, the three-day celebration that marks the end of the Ramadan month of fasting.

“It’s a big celebration today,” said Lt. Col. Robert Kirby, commander of 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “You’ve got the end of Ramadan festival when everyone breaks the fast, and this has always been a historic place for them to gather.”

It has been years since the people have gathered in such numbers following Ramadan.

“We have a lot of people coming in and out of the park, an increasing number of people,” said Iraqi police Brig. Gen. Ali, leader of the policemen who are in charge of the Karkh area, to include Zawra Park.

“The man in charge of the park told me today 500,000 visitors have come each day for five days,” said Ali. “Last year, it was probably half that many.”

The reason behind the huge influx in numbers of visitors this year is evident in the faces of the people as they feel safer now which makes them more willing to get out with their families and enjoy an evening at the park.

“We come to the park typically on holidays,” said Jameela, a Baghdad resident who was at the park with her children. “This time is much better than before [in terms of safety], better than last year or the year prior to that.”

“Now security is very good. It is safe and I think people are coming here because of that,” said Ali.

The effects of improved security can be seen in the smiles and the music and the picnics in gathering places around Baghdad like Zawra Park.

DVIDS
By Staff Sgt. Brock Jones
Multi-National Division – Baghdad