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Command helping with Iraqi utility projects

By Staff Sgt. Sheryl L. Lawry
March 14, 2006

BAQUBAH, Iraq (Army News Service, March 14, 2006) – Challenges facing quality maintenance of a water treatment plant and a primary electrical sub-station northeast of Baghdad were laid out by Iraqi engineers during a tour by Coalition leaders March 9.

Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, commander of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, visited the Khatoon Water Compact Unit and the Al-Abarra Electric sub-station. Both facilities were in great need of refurbishment and oversight.

Chiarelli spent the day with the command group of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, and toured two of the brigade’s areas of responsibility – one with the Diyala Provincial Governor, Raad Rashid Mulla Juwad Al-Timimi and the other with 5th Iraqi Army Division Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Alawwad.

Taking ownership, maintenance

“The issue is not constructing these projects,” said Maj. Bret Martin, the provincial support team engineer, “but getting the Iraqis to take ownership of them and maintain them. The other is to make sure these projects actually benefit the end user – the average Iraqi.”

Lt. Col. Leonard Wells, commander of 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd HBCT, 4ID, said that the low number of qualified technical engineers available to assess developing projects and then provide continued monitoring once projects were complete, was another significant obstacle.

“Coalition forces do not have enough technical engineers to go around,” he said.

“Both of these projects are vital in providing basic services to the city of Baqubah,” said Martin. “The Compact Water Unit is needed to supplement the inadequate water supply and pressure to Khatoon’s population of about 35,000 people. Al Abarra sub-station supplies power to northeastern portion of Baquba up north to the town of Al Abarra to more than 60,000 people.”

Potential for students

Chiarelli recommended using Iraqi engineering students from local universities to assist in project assessments. These young engineers would enable Coalition advisors to assess hundreds of projects they might not otherwise have time to visit, explained Wells.

“He also recommended incorporating maintenance and service contracts into project agreements to ensure completed projects are maintained to continue providing essential services to province citizens from years to come,” Wells said.

At Forward Operation Base Gabe, Alawwad briefed Chiarelli of the status of his force and what they needed to continue to grow and gain more strength as an independent force.

(Editor’s note: Staff Sgt. Sheryl L. Lawry serves with 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office.)