Six Kazakhstani soldiers completed a transfer of operations at Combat Outpost Murray, May 8, that will provide Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, with clean, drinkable water.

The Kazakhstani Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit team’s equipment pumps water directly from the Tigris River and filters it in large bladders that desalinate and distill it, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases. Their equipment has the capacity to produce 2,500 gallons of drinkable water per hour, enough to provide Soldiers with clean water for laundry and shower facilities.

The ROWPU team took over water purification operations from the 26th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. The 26th BSB’s ROWPU team had been treating water for Soldiers in the area since late May 2007.

The Kazakhstani team arrived at COP Murray, May 4, and spent the following three days setting up their operation. By, May 8, their water was tested and approved for use.

“Kazakhstani Soldiers have a good relationship with American Soldiers,” said Capt. Ilyasov Askar, translator for the Kazakh unit. “The base we came from had soldiers from six or seven countries on it, and we would invite each other to celebrations of the different holidays.”

The team was previously stationed at FOB Delta in Wasit province. There are 29 Kazakh soldiers currently deployed in Iraq, Askar said.

When the 1-30th Inf. Regt. redeploys to home-station, the Kazakh soldiers plan to remain, working with 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

The 1-30th Inf. Regt. is part of the 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., from Fort Stewart, Ga.

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Maj. Shaikh-Khassan Zhazykbayev (left), the 9th Kazakhstani rotation commander, Capt. Aidar Issabekov (middle), the Kazakhstani sapper team commander, and a U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal specialist check an unexploded ordnances for stability near Badrah, Iraq. This was the first off-the-base mission for the Kazakhstani soldiers since late 2006. The Kazakhstani soldiers provide unexploded ordnance disposal support to coalition forces at Forward Operating Base Delta.

During their six months at FOB Delta, the 9th rotation of Kazakhstani soldiers accomplished what had not been done since late 2006.

They made the first unexploded ordnance disposal mission into Wasit province from March 4 to 11 and destroyed more than 100 pieces of ordnances near Badrah.

“The soldiers were very excited about going out,” said Maj. Shaikh-Khassan Zhazykbayev, the 9th rotation commander.

To prepare for the mission, Zhazybayev’s soldiers received convoy training from the 511th Military Police Company, from Fort Drum, N.Y., and driver’s training from Company C, 26th Brigade Support Battalion, from Fort Stewart, Ga. The training was a refresher for the Kazakhstani soldiers.

“We are proud that the soldiers from Kazakhstan are able to link with U.S. Soldiers to help Iraqi people,” said Sgt. Damir Kakokov, a Kazakhstani sapper.

The 9th rotation of Kazakhstani soldiers destroyed 4,551 pieces of unexploded ordnances and trained 74 Iraqi Soldiers in basic engineering skills.

“Every UXO destroyed is stopping an (improvised explosive device) from being used by anti-Iraqi forces in Wasit province,” Zhazybayev said. “I feel I am saving somebody’s life.”

Many of the ordnances the Kazakh platoon destroys date back to the Iran-Iraq war and to 2003, said Maj. Bakhitzhan Zhetpisov, the Kazakhstani liaison officer to the 214th Fires Brigade for the 9th rotation.

Zhazybayev and his soldiers turned over their responsibilities to Maj. Madiar Uvaliov, the commander of the 10th Kazakhstani rotation, and his soldiers April 1.

The new rotation will continue to destroy ordnances on FOB Delta as well as off the compound, said Maj. James Singer, the 214th Fires Brigade operations officer.

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By Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles
214th Fires Brigade