Joint U.S., Iraqi effort facilitates local school reopening
by Staff Sgt. Brian SippBAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, May 5, 2003) -- Soldiers from Fort Benning, Ga., will make it safe for 3,500 to 4,000 undergraduate students to return to classes at Baghdad University's College of Agriculture's scheduled to open May 15. Graduate students returned to class May 3.
The soldiers, from an element in the 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, trained and equipped the security element with uniforms and digital photo security badges, to provide a safe and secure environment for campus families and workers.
"There exists a very well-educated university staff. Most all of the professors and administrators have attended college in the United States, spent time abroad, and speak English fairly well," said Capt. John Montgomery, a fire support officer with the 1st Bn., 15th Inf.
Montgomery has spearheaded the restoration of the university.
The university professors and staff have been working with the Georgia soldiers in an effort to clean up debris, repair basic infrastructure and to restore essential services.
Major reconstruction contracts are also being negotiated with local companies to replace all the damaged glass as well as reclaim campus grounds, which is currently unusable because of flooding.
As an incentive to return to work, all 700 employees received an emergency payment of $20. The Organization for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance, headed by retired U.S. general Jay Garner, is working on salary compensation for the university staff and workers as well. Garner is overseeing Iraq's reconstruction.
The university payroll, cleanup and operating expenses, have also been assumed by OHRA.
Approximately 150 families live on the campus and the university employs most, including the 29-member local campus police force.
(Editor's note: Staff Sgt. Brian Sipp is a writer for the 3rd Inf. Div. Public Affairs Office.)
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