1st NCD Commander Dedicates, Praises Reconstruction in Central Iraq Town
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS030911-05
Release Date: 9/11/2003 1:14:00 PM
By Journalist 1st Class (FMF) Lisa Keding, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 Public Affairs
CAMP MOREELL, Kuwait (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Charles Kubic, Commander, 1st Naval Construction Division (NCD), visited the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 and several schools and banks Aug. 23 in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq.
Kubic's trip commemorated and brought to a close three months worth of reconstruction efforts by Seabees in the central Iraqi city. Hundreds of Seabees from the battalion worked with Iraqi contractors, Marines and Army personnel to help repair 35 schools and dozens of other buildings in the city.
One of the highlights of Kubic's visit was a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Al Amarkeziyah Secondary School. Kubic, with the assistance of several Iraqi children, cut the ribbon dedicating the rebuilding efforts at the school. But the ribbon was also a symbol for the many other schools and buildings U.S. forces helped to repair in the area.
After the ceremony, Kubic spoke to more than 300 Iraqis and dozens of military personnel. He praised the work of U.S. forces and the gracious efforts of the Iraqi people in the reconstruction process.
"For over 60 years, Seabees have worked in all parts of the world, but this is our first time to work in Iraq. I have never seen people more receptive than the Iraqi people," said Kubic. "I hope in some small way the Navy and Marines have made your future job easier."
Shortly after Kubic's comments, an unlikely guest speaker took the stage and discussed her hopes for Iraq's future.
"Now, I hope that the women and children in Iraq have a brighter, more free and equal future ahead of them," said 12-year-old Sarah Habes, an Iraqi girl. "Women will be freer to teach in the schools now and hold their heads high."
Habes received a warm applause from the crowd after her remarks.
A few days after the ceremony, Kubic praised Habes' daring remarks. But he also extended praise for another group of NMCB 7 Seabees who worked in Kuwait during the reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
"The second group formed the backbone of the efforts in central Iraq, and the work there would have never happened without their support," said Kubic. "Both groups worked together to help stimulate the construction efforts in Iraq, and play a major role in 1st NCD's Middle East construction projects."
"This is the first time Seabees have ever gone to war as a division," Kubic continued. "More than anything else, NMCB 7 used its sheer aggressiveness with civil operations to help in Iraq," he said.
Kubic noted that the battalion's work comprised 65 percent of all Seabee construction efforts in the area. But more importantly, its construction efforts and the way battalion members did business with the Iraqi people provided insight into the way future U.S. operations can help growing or rebuilding countries.
"We found the model for helping to jump-start this country. Plug the money in at a low level, and you'll fire the economy from the bottom up," Kubic said.
The Seabees of NMCB 7 are the last full battalion remaining in the Middle East. They will turn over the rebuilding efforts to multinational forces in the near future, and they have a very important job of preparing all the remaining construction equipment for its trip home.
In his closing comments, Kubic highlighted the bold impact the battalion has made in Iraq since its deployment to the region in March.
"Long before Baghdad fell, you were in An Nasiriyah during some of the heaviest fighting. You had to find the projects yourself, and then you had to find the money," Kubic said. "Each and every one of you should hold your head high. You've helped change the course of history, and the future of the Iraqi people."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
