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NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

August 10, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-22


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


COALITION EFFORTS AID IN REBUILDING IRAQ

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - Coalition forces improved Iraqis' lives by renovating an Olympic swimming pool in Mosul and refurbishing the Agriculture Ministry Building in Tikrit.

With the help of soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) the Olympic Pool in Mosul opened to the public on Aug. 8. Prior to the war, the two-million gallon pool was a training facility for the Mosul Dive and Swim team.

When engineers attached to the 101st AAD first saw the pool it was surrounded by piles of trash and debris and had only four feet of water in it. A heavy equipment platoon and a construction platoon worked with local contractors to level the ground and make the needed renovations to the pool and its main pool house. Soldiers from the 101st AAD brought in close to 100 truckloads of dirt to level off the ground around the pool. The crews also fixed the pipes, filters and tanks.

In Tikrit, soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division working together with local Iraqis completed renovation of the Agriculture Ministry Building. On Aug. 8 workers returned to work in their new office space. The facility was run down after years of neglect and was looted during the war. Repairs included cleaning and painting of the building's exterior, replacement of window glass and rewiring of old electrical systems. In addition, the soldiers and contractors worked together to install desks, copy machines, computers and fans. Approximately 50 Iraqis work in the Agriculture Ministry Building.

The renovation project cost approximately $85,000, which was provided by commander's discretionary funds. An additional $10,000 of those funds went to purchase office furniture for the building. The project employed 100 local Iraqi workers.

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