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Largest of the Foreign Military Sales construction projects

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 090409-02

April 09, 2009

Contact: pao@mnstci.iraq.centcom.milThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
DSN: 318-852-1332
IRAQNA: 0780-997-5063

Largest of the Foreign Military Sales construction projects

AL SHAIBAH, Iraq - Possibly the largest of the Foreign Military Sales construction projects for the n Iraqi Army was completed and signed over to Iraqi Staff Maj. Gen., 14th Division commanding general on March 28.

Shortly after the facility transfer occurred, the 51st Brigade moved into the facilities. The availability of this site comes at a crucial time for the Iraqi Security Forces in Basrah. The ISF is transitioning from providing internal security in the city, to turning over those duties to the Iraqi Police Forces. The facilities provide complete infrastructure, administration, and billeting for the Brigade Headquarters and three light infantry battalions.

FMS projects are significant because the Government of Iraq purchases goods and services through an already established U.S. acquisition program using Iraqi funds. The project was a partnership between a U. S. commercial construction contractor and a local construction firm. In order to facilitate effective construction and training, mentoring was provided in both construction technology and the project planning and management to the local firm.

The partnership with the local contractor, Dyar Alrahmaa, was the cornerstone to success of this Shaibah Logistics Base Project. In spite of the magnitude of scope, insufficient skilled labor available, critical unforeseen circumstances, and the challenge of western code engineering and enforcement, Dyar performed in a most professional manner. They met each challenge with vigor and professionalism as can be seen by the final product.

For military facilities in Iraq, this is a superior product. The walls are solid limestone block and built to the highest available standards. The amenities benefit from implementation of many lessons learned over the past years of construction in Iraq and include such sustainable features as heavy duty plumbing fixtures and back up elevated water storage in the event of power outages. The Iraqi directing general for infrastructure provided a site engineering officer to regularly review quality and completion of this facility. This additional participation was of great benefit towards assuring the overall success of the project.

The Title II 100% Audit Report stated three significant accomplishments, “This is one of the best projects the auditors have seen in the AFCEE Iraq Program, electrical and mechanical works are outstanding, and it is a good role model of how AFCEE projects should be constructed and managed.”

The successful construction and completion of this project has lasting implications for the security of Iraq. Until the Shaibah project was complete, Iraqi soldiers from the 51st Brigade had no choice but to endure barbaric living conditions inside the city of Shaibah. Because of limited space and facilities, members of the Iraqi Army resided in and amongst the civilians of the city. Two significant objectives were met once the soldiers were able to move out of the city and into their new home. First, the tension between civilians and soldiers was drastically reduced. Second, these facilities will enable the Iraqis to more effectively secure the surrounding area and the Iraq-Iran border.

Not only does this project provide an increased quality of life for the Iraqi soldiers, but it also further strengthens the capability to protect the southern regions of Iraq. This construction project is a huge step toward to increasing the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces in accordance with the Security Agreement.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL SECURITY TRANSITION COMMAND – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT PAO@MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL OR BY PHONE AT DSN: (318) 852-1332 OR IRAQNA: 0790-194-0270. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION VISIT: WWW.MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL.