• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Task Force Iron Gimlet takes shape

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Saturday, 06 December 2008
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RELEASE No. 20081206-08

Dec. 6, 2008

Task Force Iron Gimlet takes shape

BAGHDAD – A new task force began operation west of Baghdad Nov. 7.

Task Force Iron Gimlet is a combined effort between the 926th Engineer Brigade and 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, and is responsible for Abu Ghraib, Nassar Wa Salaam and other surrounding areas.

The Iron Gimlet team has contracted Iraqi citizens to paint barriers and repair schools. Many projects such as trash removal and multiple school repairs will start in the near future.

“The kinetic line of effort was focused in downtown Baghdad for the earlier part of this year, particularly east of the river, creating a vulnerable access point in the rural area west of Baghdad for the flow of terrorist personnel and supplies into the Baghdad area,” said Capt. Matthew Slyder, Task Force Iron Gimlet project officer, 926th Eng. Bde. “The terrorist cells used intimidation tactics to ensure freedom of movement in this area for the last five years, until recent efforts have complicated their movement in this battle space.”

The Mohammad Mahdi Al Baseer Girls School, Hamdiniyah School, and Al Magreib Al Araby School are three of 19 schools that are already being repaired. Many of the schools need quick repairs before the start of the winter season.

“Winterization is important, so we’re replacing glass, windows and doors to ensure the students are warm during the winter season,” said Slyder. “High priorities are cleaning and repairing septic tanks and sewer lines so that students have functioning bathrooms.”

Another project to improve quality of life in task force’s area is hiring residents to paint barriers. “We are contracting local Iraqis to paint the barriers around the government buildings to bring a sense of normalcy and incorporate Iraqi history,” said Slyder.

The local council selected the types of drawings on each barrier. They often choose themes that relate to the Iraqi culture and history. Other projects are underway to help improve access to government facilities.

In Abu Ghraib, TF Iron Gimlet contracted with a local company to both remove trash from the Governance Center parking lot and provide jobs for citizens. “There are hundreds of local Iraqis who visit this center daily, and parking in trash-filled, water-drenched parking lot presents a traffic challenge,” said Slyder.

With the efforts of the Task Force Gimlet Soldiers, the Abu Ghraib district of Baghdad will start to generate more funded projects. "We work closely with the (civil affairs) section who has been conducting Civil-Military Operations all year in this area,” said Slyder.

“TFIG has been able to exploit the positive relationships already developed by the battalion CMO to expedite initiating new projects and completing legacy projects in this area."

-30-

FOR QUERIES, CONTACT MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION - BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT: MNDB_PAO_CIC@MND-B.ARMY.MIL OR BY PHONE AT: COMMERCIAL (703) 621-0781