Release # 03-06-005

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

BAGHDAD

Coalition Forces:

· Continued measures to reduce crime, host neighborhood advisory council meetings and provide school and medical supplies.

• Contracted 350-400 Iraqis to begin work at the International Airport, tentatively planning on resuming commercial traffic in the next month.

• Reports the Baghdad City Hall should be fully operational in 2 weeks.

• Recently destroyed 34 tons of captured Iraqi ordnance. A total of 6,319 tons of ammunition from 13 out of 23 cache sites have been consolidated and removed from Baghdad to date.

• Collected soccer balls for distribution as part of "Operation US Soccer," an American Youth Soccer Organization sponsored program.

• Worked with the Government of Jordan and Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) key officials to increase Iraqi business involvement with the Jordanian American Business Association (JABA) Iraqi Reconstruction Conference. About 400 business and government officials have registered for the conference.

• Provided Coalition military construction support to assess and repair an Iraqi police station, restore municipal facilities at Abu Ghraib, and the Mansour, Thawra, Al Rashid, and Karkh.

• Met with about 500 food distribution agents to prepare for food distribution operations this week.

• Met with USAID representatives to share information on civil affairs capabilities and provide small loans to businesses.

• Distributed 3.4 million liters of gasoline, and 58,940 bottles of propane in Baghdad.

NORTHERN IRAQ

IRBIL / MOSUL / TIKRIT / KIRKUK

Coalition Forces:

• Conducted a Task Force Neighborhood mission in Makhmur, focusing cleanup operations on the local school and market area.

• Continued road-building operations in the Bardiyah area.

• Continued deliveries of potable water to the Sununi area, and hosted a meeting among local water supervisors and Red Cross personnel to determine the long-term water supply needs in the area.

• Replaced unserviceable culverts in Baqubah.

• Plan to fill medical supply shortfalls within 48 hours in Al Biaj.

• Received 22 trucks of bulk food shipments at Ar Ramadi UN Food distribution site, for a total of 525 shipments to date.

SOUTHERN IRAQ

AL KUT

23rd Marine Regiment recently:

• Assisted in efforts renovate a former Iraqi Army water treatment plant that provides filtered and chlorinated water to approximately 5,000 people.

AN NAJAF

7th Marine Regiment recently:

• Reported continued power improvements. The city currently has 100 megawatts of power, 55 from the power grid and 45 from the power plant, more than double their previous power supply.

• Assisted in World Food Program food distribution at two sites.

AL HILLAH

• Received 33 benzene/gasoline trucks.

AS SAMAWAH

• Reported electric power was restored to 60 megawatts, which exceeds pre-war conditions.

• Coordinated with the Ministry of Education in Baghdad for funds to support end of year school tests and test administration.

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