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Seabees Change Command, Continue
Reconstruction Efforts in Iraq
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- The I Marine Expeditionary Force Engineer
Group (I MEG) officially stood down Friday, and was relieved by the
30th Naval Construction Regiment (30th NCR), in a Transfer of
Authority ceremony held at Camp Fallujah, in western Iraq.
During their six-month deployment, I MEG Seabees, along with the
civil engineer corps officers of the Officer in Charge of
Construction detachment, made some significant contributions to U.S.
efforts in Iraq.
Working alongside Marines from the 4th Civil Affairs Group, Seabees
built relationships with the people of Fallujah, while supporting
efforts to improve quality of life in the war-torn city. I MEG
engineering assessment teams were in Fallujah soon after days of
intense urban combat to assess infrastructure damage and start
restoring critical services such as water and power.
Additionally, I MEG task forces participated in construction of
polling places and the establishment of the I Marine Expeditionary
Force Provisional Security Battalion, manned with over 300 I MEG
personnel, in support of the historic Iraq elections; led the Iraqi
Construction Apprentice Program, and completed more than $30 million
worth of projects throughout the Al Anbar Province.
U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Blount heads the 30th NCR detachment, and
said his Seabees are ready for the challenge of deploying in Iraq.
Reconstruction efforts will be a priority for the unit, with Seabees
working alongside the Interim Iraqi Government on infrastructure and
quality of life improvement projects.
Currently, there are 77 reconstruction projects funded with $66
million for the city of Fallujah. Another 52 projects have been
identified and are under consideration as well.
The 30th NCR will work with the 5th Civil Affairs Group of the I
Marine Expeditionary Force to continue economic development and
improve the quality of life for Iraqi citizens.
Point of contact for more
information is JOC Suzanne Speight, I MEF public affairs officer at
SpeightS@IMEFDM.usmc.mil
Release #050315i |
