• Military

• WMD Menu                           

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

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

April 15, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. MARINES RESTORE SERVICES TO BAGHDAD

BAGHDAD, Iraq - United States Marines officially established a civil-military operations center (CMOC) here Monday, drafting a road map of success for

 Iraqi citizens.

The center was established as Marines from the First Marine Expeditionary Force encountered light resistance while securing the towns of Tikrit and Samarra and the Al Sahra airfield where Marines found six Iraqi military aircraft in poor condition.

Marines at the center direct civil-military operations in four major functional areas, including electricity, law enforcement, water and sanitation, and medical

care.  The Marines met with key leaders, including Dr. Karim Hasan, Directing General of Iraq for Electrical Affairs, along with 50 key plant managers and engineers, to plan the restoration of the city's infrastructure. 

Engineers determined generator requirements to provide power to the eastern Baghdad city grid.  Iraqi engineers that are needed to restore the power grid

are being identified and contacted.  Marines also delivered 15,000 gallons of diesel fuel for generators servicing water treatment plants in east Baghdad to ensure they run at full capacity and increase the water flow to Iraqi citizens. 

Marines are currently conducting joint patrols with Iraqi uniformed police around the city.   Police officers have assumed unarmed patrols throughout various sections of Baghdad and other cities to establish presence and restore order.  In response to questions of concerned citizens, residents have been advised that

 officers are being trained and evaluated to ensure that they are capable choices for policing and that they have no ties as regime loyalists.

Six key Iraqi civilian medical personnel formed a committee to coordinate medical efforts in east Baghdad.  They have determined Medical City, the main hospital complex in Baghdad, is operational and private hospitals are functioning on a limited capacity.

U.S. Marines are working diligently to minimize the unrest within the city of Baghdad by helping to restore water and electricity and providing humanitarian

 aid, medical treatment and other basic needs.

-30-