Release # 03-05-86

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait - Coalition Forces continue to assist in developing a safer and more secure environment in Iraq.

BAGHDAD

The 3rd Infantry Division's "Task Force Neighborhood" mission continues. Recently, they:

• Repaired the main soccer stadium, cleared/graded two practice fields, completed welding of several soccer goals, improved the irrigation for soccer field, and filled in old fighting positions in the area
• Removed about 200 tons of garbage, and provided trash bags to community
• Painted badminton courts
• Cleared and disposed of several mortars, and more than 120 unexploded artillery/mortar shells and grenades
• Evaluated electrical and water main supply systems for future work.

Soldiers of the 3rdInfantry Division also recently:

· Escorted 17 fuel trucks in the area, provided security at gas stations throughout Baghdad, and assisted in the the delivery/distribution of 9,083 bottles (39,000 gallons) of propaneto government sites.

· Helped the Ministry of Finance make payments to rail and police workers.

· Assisted the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) Ministry of Transportation improve railway security in Baghdad.

· Received 19 tons of humanitarian aid from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at Baghdad International Airport.

· Escorted Iraqi government banking officials to ORHA headquarters to attend the Ministry of Finance meeting on the creation of the National Banking system.

· Removed a 1,022 UXO's from 43 sites yesterday.

· Repaired four water line breaks.

· Distributed 5,000 Dinar from the Ministry of Health and 10,000 UAE Dirhams to each worker at Yarmuk Hospital.

WESTERN IRAQ

3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment soldiers recently:

• Helped repair the water treatment facility in the city of Hit.
• Worked with Iraqi officials to start shipment of crude oil to a refinery in Basra, where it will be used to produce kerosene.

· Coordinated delivery of monetary funds to support local engineers in repair of the Al Fallujah water treatment facility

· Received 63 truckloads of bulk food shipments at the UN food distribution site in Ar Ramadi, for a total of 319 shipments to date

· Cleared unexploded ordnance from an Ar Ramadi residential area.

· Helped repair two broken turbines and three broken water pumps at the Hadithah Dam.

MOSUL / TIKRIT

4th Infantry Division soldiers recently:

· Provided security for contractor deliveries to the Bayji Power Plant.

• Delivered 4,800 Humanitarian Daily Ration meals from Baghdad to Ad Dawr

101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division soldiers recently:

· Received133 benzene and 6 propane trucks from Turkey.

· Worked with ORHA to repair the Mosul Mayor's building.

SOUTHERN IRAQ

AD DIWANIYAH

Marines of the 5thMarine Regiment recently:

• Reported the naming of a new police chief by the governor.
• Reported that sanitation trucks are again removing trash, with trash pick-up back to pre-war levels.
• Met with the local education director and visited five different schools to assess the status of the facilities and delivery of supplies

KARBALA

Marines of the 7thMarine Regiment recently:

· Assessed the Al Hindyah hospital and submitted funding requests to replace or repair a lab refrigerator, three computers, 10 window air conditioners, a septic tank, radiology equipment and pediatric department equipment.

· Met with the Karbala police department (KPD) and city council to approve the KPD application form, code of conduct and qualification standards.

AL HILLAH

Marines of the 4thMarine Regiment recently:

· Received 22 benzene gasoline fuel trucks, which reduced the gas lines at the pump stations, and further diminished gasoline sales on the black market.

AN NASIRIYAH

Marines of the 25thMarine Regiment recently:

· Met with the city council to brief them on the civil administration and recruitment of police, the World Food Program initiative, and the fuel distribution plan.