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V CORPS ENGINEERS HELP IRAQIS REBUILD BAGHDAD AIRPORT

V Corps News Release

May 16, 2003

By Sgt. Duane M. Brown 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD, IRAQ -- With major combat in Iraq over, the fight to get the Iraqi people back on their feet has just begun, and V Corps units are leading the way.

One of the spearheads of the corps' efforts is the 94th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, headquartered in Grafenwoehr, Germany. At Baghdad International Airport, the battalion is encouraging the Iraqis to take charge of their future by employing Iraqi civilians to work side-by-side with corps engineers in a joint effort to get things up and running.

"By working together, this will raise the current standards of the airport, making it an even better facility," said the 94th's Sgt. 1st Class Bayani C. Apuya, a horizontal construction and sewage system inspector.

For the most part, the Iraqis involved with the project were previously employed at what was then Saddam International Airport. Employing these Iraqi workers will create a smooth transition by bringing back the Iraqi work force and gradually phasing U.S. troops out of their jobs here, said Sgt. 1st Class Roy T. Johnson, civilian transition organization liaison for the 94th. Having those workers involved in the early stages of the rebuilding effort has been a great asset to the 94th, he said.

"Working with them helps, because of their technical expertise in certain areas specific to this airport," Apuya said. "This is particularly useful when it comes to deciphering blueprints of . existing systems."

The engineers have tried to capitalize on the Iraqis' talents, regardless of what their job titles may be. On applications for jobs on the project, there is an additional section for applicants to list any special skills they have. As operations progress, civilians with additional skills and trades will be placed where they are needed.

"Even though someone may not be able to use their job skill at this stage of development, they may possess additional skills we can use," Johnson said. "We even have a civilian employee that's an air traffic controller, working as a translator."

The Iraqis say they have no problem with working with their "temporary" American counterparts. In fact, it's a return to familiar turf for some.

"I worked with people from the U.S. 15 years ago as a civilian contractor," said Abdul Raqag, Iraqi site supervisor. "I enjoyed working with them then, and I'm enjoying it now."

"They are just happy to get a little money in their pockets to provide for their families, and the chance to get back on their feet," Johnson said.

While work progresses calmly, security is still an important factor in ongoing operations here. Before being hired, Iraqi applicants are screened against an existing list of individuals being sought by coalition forces. And before they can come onto the grounds of the airport, civilian employees and their vehicles are searched and credentials are verified.

"Even though soldiers get more and more comfortable working with the civilians, they don't get complacent," Apuya said. "Our troops maintain a high level of situational awareness."

At first the American troops were a little hesitant to work beside Iraqis who may have been the enemy here just a few weeks ago. But as they labored together and got to know one another on a personal level, the two groups became more comfortable.

"If we work side by side, maybe everyone will see that we aren't here to conquer or destroy anything," said Spc. Donald R. Craeger, a general construction equipment operator with the 94th. "We are here to help them rebuild."