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Defense Department Report, August 1: Iraq, Afghanistan Operations

01 August 2005

Iraq reconstruction projects reaching impressive totals

ELECTRICITY, SANITATION PROJECTS COMPLETED IN IRAQ

A total of 1,451 reconstruction projects, valued at $1.4 billion, have been completed since sovereignty was transferred to Iraq at the end of June 2004, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) July 25.

New electric power lines carrying 33 kilovolts have been finished, with more transmission lines and power generation plants under construction.  Over 1,400 electrical towers and 8,600 kilometers of transmission lines have been installed.  More than 2,000 megawatts of electricity have been added to the Iraqi system, the announcement stated.

For sanitation improvements in Baghdad, more than 50 million gallons of treated and potable water are delivered every day.  New water wells and treatment facilities are under construction, and new water delivery pipes are being installed.  Sewer lines have been cleaned or repaired, and work on lines continues.  Trash is being picked up in a majority of the capital's locales, twice a week in some places.

Additionally, over 20 health care facilities have been renovated, and renovation continues on many others.

CLOSE TO 900 DETAINEES IN IRAQ RELEASED IN JULY

Nearly 900 of approximately 2,000 detainees held in facilities under authority of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNF-I) were released in July, according to MNF-I.

The releases bring to almost 7,000 the total number of detainees released from multinational detention facilities this year, according to Colonel Arnaldo Claudio, provost marshal of MNF-I.

INVESTIGATION COMPLETED ON HELICOPTER CRASH IN AFGHANISTAN

The U.S. Army has completed its investigation of the crash of a cargo transport helicopter near Ghazni, Afghanistan, April 6, CENTCOM announced July 28.  Eighteen people died in the accident.

An investigation found that the helicopter had become caught in a dust storm with winds exceeding 45 knots, causing zero visibility outside the aircraft.  While the pilots were switching to instruments-only flight they "became spatially disoriented and over-controlled the aircraft," the announcement stated.

The helicopter was transporting passengers and supplies in Ghazni province at the time of the accident.  Those killed included five Army crew members and 13 passengers: six Army soldiers, one Marine, two Army National Guard soldiers, one Army Reserve soldier, and three civilian contractors.  The aircraft was destroyed.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)