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Engineers to extinguish Iraqi oil fires

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, March 26, 2003) - While U.S. and coalition forces continue their advance to Baghdad, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers received the mission to extinguish fires in Southern Iraqi oil fields.

Several oil fires are currently burning in Southern Iraq.

"This mission gives us the opportunity to support our troops, ensure their safety, and support our nation. It brings together civilians, reservists and active military into an experienced, enthusiastic Corps team dedicated to getting the job done quickly and as smoothly as possible," said the Corps' lead contractor for its deployed Forward Engineering Support Team. Because he is currently serving in the war zone he asked to remain unnamed.

The Department of Defense designated the Army as executive agent for implementing plans to extinguish oil well fires and to assess the damage to oil facilities during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Corps has contracted Kellogg Brown & Root, from Houston, Texas, to extinguish current fires as quickly as possible to limit their associated environmental damage. KBR was instrumental in planning the oil well fire-fighting mission during the Kuwaiti oil fires during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, said officials from the Army Corps of Engineers. KBR prepared the current contingency plans for the government under the Army Field Support Command's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program.

During Operation Desert Storm, there were about 700 oil fires burning in Kuwait. Other problems experienced were oil spills in the Arabian Gulf caused by sabotaged pipelines, and oil-filled trenches that were ignited in an attempt to obscure targets.

The Corps will perform a variety of activities, including engineering design and repair or reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, operate facilities, and distribute products if required.

The Corps has been supporting Operation Enduring Freedom since September 2001, shortly after the events of 9/11. Most recently, the Corps' has been building barracks and training facilities for U.S. troops and the Afghan National Army in Afghanistan.

For more information, contact Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (202) 761-0014 or (202) 761-0011. For information on contracting contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Contracting Office at (866) 461-5171.

Editor's note: (Denver Beaulieu-Hains is a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Affairs Office.)