CJTF-HOA helps provide education to Pemba Island children

22 July 07
by Maj. Kristi Beckman
CJTF-HOA Public Affairs.

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – “Asalaam aleikum,” (may God’s peace be upon you) and “karibu,” (welcome) are common words you will hear on Pemba Island of Zanzibar, Tanzania, in East Africa, which was the site of a primary school dedication by Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa on July 16.

A dedication is an event the coalition of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa holds when they complete a civil-military project. The dedication symbolizes turning over the completed project to the local community. So far this year, CJTF-HOA has dedicated 22 projects throughout the Horn of Africa.

Through building wells, constructing schools and conducting numerous other Civil-Military Operations, CJTF-HOA is building capacity throughout the Horn of Africa to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism.

The construction of this dedication project was the result of a combined effort of the U.S. military, U.S. State Department, United States Agency for International Development, the Government of Tanzania and the Zanzibari Department of Education. The delegation consisted of the U.S. Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, Michael L. Retzer; Zanzibari Minister of Education, Honorable Haroun Ali Suleiman; Country Director for USAID, Pamela White; Director of Strategic Communication for CJTF-HOA, Navy Capt. Robert Wright as well as numerous other U.S. and Tanzanian government officials.

The U.S. military delegation traveled to the island to dedicate the Matale Village Primary School to the people of the village. The village is home to about 3,000 people. A winding dirt road, which runs through the village, intertwines through a lush green jungle of thick palms and banana plants where women are dressed in colorful scarves and children stare at the passersby with big brown, curious eyes as the men wave from the doorsteps of their homes.

As the party pulled up to the school, they were greeted by several hundred children singing and dancing at the top of their lungs. “Leo twashangiria shule ku fungui wa.” Translated, it means, “Today we are celebrating because our school is opening.” The school, built by a local contractor, TRADETECH, Limited, and funded by the U.S. Government, will become a learning center for more than 250 children, ages 7-13. Until now, the children walked between three and five kilometers (one-way) to go to school. This walking distance contributed to a high drop out rate and ultimately a higher illiteracy rate in this rural area.

After cutting the inaugural ribbon and unveiling two new dedication plaques in English and Kiswahili, Minister Suleiman praised the children for their excellent academic marks and called the new Matale Village Primary School the “number one” school in all of Zanzibar. He thanked the U.S. government for working in close partnership with the government of Tanzania on this and other important assistance projects.

The plaques state “Matale Village School is a gift from the people of the United States of America to the people of the United Republic of Tanzania. Dedicated July 2007 by Ambassador Michael L. Retzer.” The $210,000 invested by the U.S. government in building and outfitting Matale Village Primary School are part of a total U.S. government assistance program in Tanzania totaling over $540,000,000 in 2007.

“On behalf of the American people, I wish to congratulate the Matale community, and I would like to encourage the children of Matale to study hard in the classroom,” said Retzer. “Your future will be brighter indeed.”

The party toured the new school, which is one of the only schools on the island with electricity. In the spacious classrooms were long wooden bench desks furnished by USAID. They were designed to fit three children each and the tops of the desks held school supplies of notebooks, coloring books, pens, pencils, glue, calculators and athletic equipment. The school supplies were donated by Mrs. Waldrop’s class at Rhodes Elementary School in Milton, Fla. The relationship between the two schools was established by Chief Petty Officer Shane Peterson, Country Coordination Element Senior Noncommissioned Officer in Charge.

“I explained to my wife what we were doing for the children of Matale village and she decided to contact my children's teachers at Rhodes Elementary and propose a sort of school partnership; not only to help the children and teachers of Matale, but to educate the children at Rhodes about the culture of the Island of Pemba.”

The dedication of the Matale Village School was a significant event for CJTF-HOA and its interagency partners, exemplifying U.S. capacity building efforts in Africa, said Wright. He was overwhelmed by the day’s events. As he spoke to the children, he said, “I have never seen so many beautiful children and so much hope. While we celebrate these beautiful new buildings today, we also celebrate the friendship and partnership between the people of the United States and Tanzania.”

Adding to the comments during the dedication, Minister Suleiman recognized the significance of the contribution to the lives of the children of Matale Village and to the future of education in Tanzania. “Mister Ambassador, you did a good job” said Minister Suleiman, who followed with similar praise for CJTF-HOA’s effort saying “Captain Bob, you and your team did a good job”.

Summing up the dedication, Captain Wright said the Matale School was a huge collaborative success. “The project results exceeded everyone's expectations and will undoubtedly contribute to increased quality of life and opportunity for the children of Pemba,” he said.

Pemba Island is the world's leading clove producer boasting more than three million clove trees. More than 350,000 people inhabit Pemba, also known as “Al Jazeera Al Khadra” (the green island, in Arabic). Pemba forms part of the Zanzibar archipelago, lying off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.

Photo - U.S. Ambassador Michael Retzer, Director of USAID Pamela White; Zanzibar Minister of Education Honorable Haroun Suleiman, and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa representative Navy Capt. Bob Wright dedicates a Matale Village Primary School, to the village of Matale, Pemba Island, Tanzania July 16. Photo by MC1(AW/SW) Clinton C. Beaird.

DepComm Gen, 101st Airborne Div visit marks change for Kandahar Airfield

23 July 07
By Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The deputy commanding General, 101st Airborne Division led a site survey visit to Kandahar Airfield July 20. The purpose of Brig. Gen. James McConville's visit was to gain information and situational awareness for future deployments on roles and operations of the command and support elements here.

McConville met with senior leaders and increased his familiarity with the missions of the U.S. National Command Element (South), U.S. National Support Element (South), Regional Command (South) Headquarters and the International Security Assistance Force. He also received updates on logistics hub and base operations, aviation asset management and the NATO transition process.

The visit began with an overview of the historical strategic significance of Kandahar and an explanation of the dynamic, multi-national environment that defines KAF and RC (South).

"Kandahar has a long history," said Army Maj. Doug Brown, S3, Task Force Anzio. "It has been and remains a strategically significant geographic location because of the trade routes through the country. Kandahar itself dates back to Alexander the Great, who the Afghans still hold in high esteem."

"The history of this place is amazing," remarked McConville. Kandahar remains strategically important to modern Afghanistan. Because of this and the important multi-national effort that is based from KAF, ISAF's largest operating base, the installation remains an important military asset. KAF is a complex installation headed by four lead stake holder nations.

Currently, these nations are the U.S., which also has overall installation command, the U.K., Canada and the Royal Netherlands. The nations primarily share responsibility for providing life support and maintenance of facilities and structures on the installation. At the end of July, KAF will transition from the U.S., as lead nation, to NATO in a change of command ceremony between Army Col. Richard L. Stevens, current commander of KAF and U.K. Air Commodore Ashley Stevenson the incoming COMKAF (designate).

"The change of command follows a 12 month period that started July 2006 when the official KAF to NATO transfer of authority happened," explained Stevens. "Over the year between the transfer of authority and the change of command the U.S. remained the lead nation as NATO grew their capabilities to support the logistics operations and the installation infrastructure."

Despite the many changes happening at KAF, most noticeably the transition from U.S. control, the installation will remain important to U.S. forces. "U.S. forces will continue to perform a wide range of missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and ISAF using KAF as a power projection platform," said Stevens. "Logistics support of these forces remains a national responsibility."

The U.S. NSE will remain here as the driving force behind that support dedicated to their primary goals to arm, fix, fuel, move and sustain the warfighters they support. "Timely and uninterrupted logistic support to all U.S. forces is our mission," said Air Force 1st Lt. Donell Pittman, NATO transition lead officer, U.S. NSE. Matters of supply and support aren't the only reasons KAF will remain important, there are tactical ones as well.

"Kandahar is a major tactical objective for the enemy forces," said Stevens. "If they can separate Kandahar from Kabul they will consider that victory." While changes are on the horizon the importance of KAF will remain.

McConville expressed his thanks for the overview of the U.S. operation in RC (South) and encouraged the Task Force Anzio team to continue the outstanding support of U.S. forces. "In this business you fight the fight for those that replace you," said McConville. "The reality of the NCE is that it is here to stay to support the U.S. presence in RC (South) as long as we're needed," said Stevens.

Photo - Brig. Gen. James McConville, Deputy Commanding General 101st Airborne Division shakes hands with the new Task Force Corsair Commander Lt. Col. Jayson A. Altieri following the Task Force Corsair change of command ceremony that was held his Kandahar Airfield site survey visit July 20. Photo by Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman.

New Iraqi Police Station Opens in Wahida

19 July 07
By Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Public Affairs.

COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, Iraq — The Wahida City Council opened a new police station in Wahida July 17 in the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment’s area of operation.

When Lt. Col. Jack Marr, 1-15 Infantry commander, Lt. Col. Ryan Kuhn, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team’s deputy commanding officer, and Capt. Ravindra Wagh, commander of Company E, 1st Battalion, 125 Infantry Regiment, arrived at the new police station, they were greeted by a mob of excited Iraqi policemen and local leaders.

The visit began with a tour of the new facility followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony signifying the end of the project and the opening of a brand new Iraqi police station.

On paper, the project began in October 2006 with a request for a new Iraqi police station. According to Wagh, who headed the project from start to finish, the Iraqi Police of Wahida received the title to an empty lot and the appropriate funds to get the project under way. Wagh said the former Wahida police station, which was co-located with a mosque, did not have the resources fit for a unit whose main mission is providing security to Wahida.

“The old police station was right down the road from the new one,” Wagh said. “It had three rooms and the front of the building was a mosque. It wasn’t fit for jurisdiction in Wahida.”

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, members of the Wahida police, along with leaders of the community and Coalition Forces, sat down for a conference to discuss the new station. “It is very nice to have the new police station here (in Wahida,)” Jawad Khadum, chairman of the Wahida city council said through a translator. “I would like for you to all be equal, to work as one, to serve the community and enforce the law.” He then saluted the policemen for a job well done on the project.

Lt. Col. Kareem, the station commander, also spoke at the conference. He thanked the Coalition Forces for their efforts on the project. He also reminded his policemen that they have a brand new station and encouraged them to maintain the station as it stands today.

According to Wagh, the project is a symbol the citizens of Wahida can see that proves the government is capable of listening to the requests of the community and spending the $3.5 million it took to fund the project on the community. “This government has a commitment to security,” he said. “Many people believed the government was getting all this money and they would never see it. "This project proves the government is spending the money on their communities.”

Wagh, who has been in Iraq since August 2006, said he was privileged to be able to see the new Iraqi police station project from start to finish. “The problem with many of these projects is that one unit is there for the beginning and then has to leave so another unit gets to the final outcome,” he said. “I am glad I was able to see the conception on paper all the way up to the building we see today.”

Although the new police station doesn’t necessarily increase the capability or the capacity of the Iraqi police, Marr believes it does a lot for the morale of the policemen. He said it also shows the Wahida citizens that progress is being made and normalcy is being restored.

“This project gives the good people of Wahida confidence in their police,” Marr said. “The project was Iraqi driven, which means we are coming along the way we have always wanted. We want to help the Iraqi people help themselves. The best solutions are the Iraqi solutions.”

Photo - Army Brig. Gen. Allawi, deputy district commander, cuts the ribbon with Army Lt. Col. Jack Marr at a ceremony July 17 to open the new Wahida police station in Wahida, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek.

CENTAF chaplain visits Djibouti orphanages

16 July 07
by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class John Osborne
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Public Affairs Office.

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti -- The U.S. Central Command Air Forces command chaplain visited Camp Lemonier July 10 to 13 to meet with servicemembers and spent time at two local orphanages where he and members of the Alaska Air National Guard joined the boys in a basketball game.

Chaplain (Col.) Gregory Tate also looked at the camp's religious support team to get a sense of morale among servicemembers and coalition forces at Combined Joint task Force - Horn of Africa.

In addition, the chaplain met with David Ball, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy. Chaplain Tate said he could not have been more pleased with the hospitality, camaraderie and dedication to mission he experienced during his visit.

"We have been well-received by everyone at Camp Lemonier," Chaplain Tate said. "Chaplain (Navy Cmdr.) Walter Dinkins and the CJTF-HOA command chaplain's staff are doing a great job engaging this area of responsibility. They are doing groundbreaking work as they spend time at the orphanages and build partnerships within the (defense, diplomacy and development) infrastructure. The people serving here now are going to be invaluable to the future as they pass on their lessons learned."

Djibouti is just one of 20 sites Chaplain Tate and Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Sawyer, the CENTAF chaplain assistant functional manager, will visit during their one-year remote tour at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. They travel the Central Command area of operation to observe Air Force chaplain services and religious support teams.

"I have the best job serving the best commander in the AOR," said Chaplain Tate, who spent 14 years as a line officer before becoming a chaplain in 1996. "I love to travel and learn and this job provides the opportunity to do both. It's great to see our folks doing the duties and missions they have been trained to do, because they know how important the mission is. It thrills my heart to meet people and help them meet their needs."

Sergeant Sawyer said his job is especially rewarding because it provides the opportunity to be a hands-on senior enlisted leader to a great number of people in a variety of situations.

"The most satisfying and fun part of this job is traveling and interacting with the troops, particularly the chaplain's assistants, both my peers and those who are just starting their careers," Sergeant Sawyer said. "I have the chance to mentor, teach and get to know new people. The unique thing I liked about our visit to Djibouti was the opportunity to participate in the humanitarian efforts because we usually don't get a chance to take part in those things."

Photo - Chaplain (Col.) Gregory Tate surrenders his cover to a child during his July 13 visit to the baby orphanage near Camp Lemonier in Djibouti. Chaplain Tate, the U.S. Central Air Forces Command chaplain, visited Djibouti as part of his Central Command area of operation tour, observing Air Force chaplain services and religious support teams. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class John Osborne.

Reconstruction Team Launches Dam Project

24 Jun 07
By U.S. Navy Ensign Christopher Weis.

KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Through a $1.5 million project launched earlier this year, the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Khost is finding that providing water for drinking and irrigation can be an effective weapon against terrorism.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. David Adams, who took over command of the 120-member joint team in April, said that by providing the funding and oversight necessary to empower local governments throughout Khost to decide where and how diversion dams will be built, the Provincial Reconstruction Team helps connect the people to their government -- which is the key to defeating the insurgency.

In a country held back by more than 30 years of war, ineffective water use has made life even more difficult in this already-barren country. Managing water is life or death for farmers like Haji Mazdigar Gul, 56, who explained that without a diversion dam, flooding often causes him to lose his fields, jeopardizing his family’s survival. His village of Koza Bokhana is one of 30 that will benefit from dams, which will redirect water from rivers to the fields of more than 80,000 farmers and families.

Villagers throughout Khost testify to the diversion dams’ ability to bring economic prosperity to the largely agricultural region. In roughly three weeks, the first of these dams will reach completion, helping local Afghans to better control flooding, irrigate their fields, grow crops and feed their families.

“We appreciate America. We are poor people and they are helping us,” said Khost farmer Mumin Khan, 70, speaking through a Provincial Reconstruction Team Khost translator. “They are the only ones helping us rebuild our country. We love the Americans because they send their sons far away from home to help us.”

“Each of the diversion dams, which take roughly six weeks to complete, has the capacity to irrigate 45,000 jerubs, or roughly. 25,000 acres of land,” said Khost Provincial Director of Irrigation Abdulmer Khan Lama

With a relatively peaceful May tempered by al-Qaeda threats of increased violence in Afghanistan, security for the projects is a top priority.

“We have not seen any problems with security for these projects because the people would not accept attacks on dams that go to the core of their livelihood,” Adams said.

While coalition forces have constructed other diversion dams, water retention walls and aqueducts in the border region, the Provincial Reconstruction Team’s efforts are by far the largest in Khost to date, according to the governor, Arsal Jamal. Although the 30 dams will impact one in 10 “Khosties” directly and many more indirectly, Adams said additional funding would be required to meet all of the region’s irrigation needs.

The local governments are involved in every step of the process. They select the building sites based on need, design the dams, monitor quality and ensure the safety of workers, Adams said. The villagers also take ownership of the projects by completing initial excavation and closely monitoring the project to assure the highest quality.

Adams explained that more dams is a top request he receives from villagers throughout the province. The diversion dams project furthers the Provincial Reconstruction Team’s mission.

The diversion dams project furthers the Provincial Reconstruction Team’s mission by “enabling security, promoting good governance and facilitating reconstruction, development and economic growth,” Adams said. These efforts allow the team to make life better for the people of Khost and help transform what was once a hotbed of terrorist activity to a more prosperous region that will no longer tolerate terrorists.

“Sept. 11 started here,” Adams said. “Only by strengthening the government and reconstructing Afghanistan can we ensure that the conditions for another 9/11 will never again take root here in Khost.

Photo - U.S. Navy Cmdr. Dave Adams, 2nd from left, the governor of Khost and the provincial Director of Irrigation offer a prayer before the cornerstone is laid in the Matun district of Khost, Afghanistan, May 8, 2007. The dam will provide irrigation and drinking water for nine villages in the area. U.S. Navy photo.

1132nd Well Drillers increasing Camp Lemonier Water supply1132nd Well Drillers increasing Camp Lemonier Water supply

19-Jun-07
Story by U.S. Army Capt. Jerord E. Wilson
CJTF-HOA19-Jun-07.

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – In preparation for the increase in personnel arriving to Camp Lemonier, the 1132nd Well Drillers of the North Carolina National Guard are hard at work improving the amount of water available for camp operations.

Within the last month, the 1132nd Well Drillers received a new well drilling rig capable of drilling through the toughest rock formations in Djibouti. The unit wasted no time in learning the intricate details of the new equipment and how to place it effectively into operation. Prior to this drilling event, they conducted a test to ensure the drilling equipment is fully operational before starting any job.

“The first drill site gave us confidence in ourselves and the equipment. It allowed us the time to learn how to manage the drill site with the new equipment and work on things we can do better,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Brown.

Recently, the 1132nd received word to install an additional water well to support Camp Lemonier’s future water supply needs. The first team of well drillers began prepping the site by digging a six-foot deep hole, emplacing a drill bit casing and stabilizing the hole with concrete to prevent the walls from collapsing during drilling operations.

“Setting-up our equipment at the drill site early is key to our efficiency as a team. During these last two drill sites we are constantly learning the pros and cons of the new drilling rig. I look forward to our missions in the future that will take us deeper into the vast regions of Djibouti,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Rex Hipp.

Once the main drill site preparations were complete, the new drill rig and support vehicles were placed and drilling began. In short order a well was located at a depth of 128 ft. The well is expected to provide 400 gallons of water per minute. More than enough to meet the camp needs.

According to U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Joseph Dunaway, “When we receive our additional water tanks, our water holding capacity will increase to 600,000 gallons. These numbers will enable us to increase our water management and efficiency on Camp Lemonier.”

Upon completion of the second Camp Lemonier water well, the 1132nd will have earned a short rest before beginning drilling operations for new water wells in the southern region of Djibouti. The luxury of having a well in the desert is a valuable resource to the people. The 1132nd will continue to drill water wells for the people of Djibouti anywhere they are needed.

Photo - Members of the 1132nd Engineer Team from North Carolina completes the final depth needed for the water well to ensure a useful water source. From left to right: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Brown, U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Danny Hunter, and U.S. Army Sgt. Raphael Paniaqua. Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Jerord E. Wilson.

Engineers Conduct Officer Professional Development, in Theater Operations

By Army 1st Lt. Kenya V. Saenz
Task Force Pacemaker Public Affairs Office.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Combat Engineer officers conducted a professional development exercise to enhance their knowledge of Afghanistan’s and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s histories.

The Fort Lewis, Wash., based 864th Engineers got a chance to see some of the current Afghan Engineer District projects, as well as the overall mission of the Corps of Engineers.

“Our mission is to conduct construction and engineering operations in Afghanistan to facilitate the establishment of a secure and stable environment, while promoting reconstitution and infrastructure development,” said Army Col. William E. Bulen, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer District, in his briefing to the officers.

The officers went to Kabul to study and reflect on the first Afghan-Anglo war during the 1840s. Army Lt. Col. Mark Deschenes, commander of Task Force Pacemaker, analyzed the battle in Bala Hissar, which according to Wikipedia was the site of some of the bloodiest fighting between Afghan and British forces, demonstrating its significance to Afghanistan and its relative parallels to today’s struggle. The Pacemakers also visited the Bala Hissar site to further analyze the fortress’ structural engineering and the events of the war.

“Taking into consideration the length of deployments today, we spend more time deployed than at home station,” said Deschenes. “It is critical to execute officer professional development; it’s an opportunity to grow as leaders and to empower subordinates as they step up and take charge.”

Photo - Kristi L. Acuff, quality control engineer for the Afghan Engineer distrtict, briefs soldiers about the quality assurance of a project from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Photo by 1st Lt. Kenya V. Saenz.

Historic Abu Nuwas Street Revitalization Center Opens

By Maj. Sean Ryan
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer, PAO.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — The rebuilding of the famous market in eastern Baghdad is making progress with the opening of the Abu Nuwas Revitalization Center June 9.

The market is well known for serving up mazgouf fish, meaning river fish, a Baghdad delicacy cooked over wood fires while you wait and served with fresh vegetables. The wait won’t be too much longer as the information center is one of the first steps in the historic street’s revival.

The information center was opened in conjunction with local leaders from the Rusafa District along with the District Advisory Council chairman from Abu Nuwas.

This part of the city, which once provided a variety of shops, restaurants, and hotels, was world-renowned and will soon open again. Approximately 45 business owners attended the opening to discuss economic and security issues.

According to Maj. Dave Carlson, a native of Allensburg, Wash., and the leader of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division’s civil support team and the Rusafa district, the meeting allowed business owners from the area to discuss issues and “become unified in their economic goals.”

“It’s in everyone’s best interest to make the street a more central location,” said Qays Foraj, the Abu Nuwas chairman. Foraj explained to the business owners his vision of the future for the market and the possibilities of offering financial assistance.

The center will be open to answer questions or discuss upcoming projects to citizens and business owners, alike. Questions to be answered include when the market will be open for customers.

“I would be very happy once the area brings back even a portion of the customers that used to come,” said a store owner who owns a retail store. “A lot of money is being put into fixing the street and the people appreciate the time and effort from everyone.”

Under Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon, also known as the Baghdad Security Plan, the Abu Nuwas Market is one of the areas targeted to stimulate economic growth.

Brig. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, Multi-National Division-Baghdad‘s deputy commanding general for support, paid a recent visit to the market and discussed issues with local owners.

“The Iraqi people need to remain resilient and things will get better,” he said. Brooks recognized that security needs to improve and reassured the store owners that they will not be left without protection.

“Coalition Forces are working side-by-side with the Iraqi Security Forces and we are here to help, not leave,” he said. Iraqi Police and Army under the Iraqi Rusafa Area Command provide security for the area, with help from the soldiers from 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, currently operating as part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The area has been shut down due a series of car bombs that left the area paralyzed several months ago. With no customers coming in, a lot of shop owners and restaurateurs had to close their doors and the ones that stayed in the area, slowly watched their livelihoods disappear.

“We still need essential services like electricity and water,” an owner of one of the fish markets told Brooks during the general’s visit, “but we are ready to start telling all customers we will be open soon.”

Photo - U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, paid a visit to the market and discussed issues with local owners, June 9, 2007. Approximately 45 business owners attended the opening of the Abu Nuwas Revitalization Center in the Rusafa District of eastern Baghdad to discuss economic and security issues of the area. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Sean Ryan.

Reconstruction Advisory Team working with Iraqis in Baghdad

Thursday, 14 June 2007
By Sgt. 1st Class Robert Timmons
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs.

BAGHDAD - When President George W. Bush ordered troops to “surge” into Baghdad he was not just sending Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, he was also sending little-known teams of reconstruction experts as well.

One of those teams operates out of Forward Operating Base Falcon with the 4th “Dragon” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, in the southwestern Rashid District of the Iraqi capital.

These small teams, known as Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Teams, are made up of workers from the U.S. military, State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Timothy Zuniga-Brown, who heads the EPRT in the Dragon Brigade, said his team serves as advisors to the Iraqis.

“We are a small team that works at the brigade and regimental levels,” said the Carson City, Nev., native. “This gives us better visibility and better understanding of what the Iraqi government can do to bring peace and stability to their own country.”

The team, comprised of seven people with technical expertise in various areas such as governance, security and economics, has been on the ground for almost two months.

“It is premature to see noticeable changes,” Zuniga-Brown said. “But we have seen changes for the better.” He said the district council holding its own meetings and the Doura Market revival are two examples of Iraqi growth in the area.

In December 2006 there were three shops open in the Doura Market, while today there are more than 250. More than $100 million has spent so far on rebuilding projects throughout the Rashid District, which the team is responsible for.

While the work was started by the military, Zuniga-Brown said the civilian teams would eventually help the Iraqi government stand on its own.

“Brigades have lots of knowledge and understanding at this level, but their main task is to fight and help the Iraqis win this war on the military side,” he said. “But, it’s clear in this conflict, especially when dealing with counterinsurgency, a lot of components are civilian – the Iraqis sending supplies to their own people, listening to their own people and putting together the requirements for a civil society to be stitched back together.”

The military was there to help address the security problems, but they needed help addressing their other problems, as well, Zuniga-Brown added.

“We are in an advisory role, a helping role,” he said. “Bottom line – the Iraqis need to do it themselves and they understand it.”

Photo - Lt. Col. Joeseph Birchmeier (standing) commander 4-1 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, gives a briefing on the ongoing service projects in the Rashid District of Baghdad.

US Navy Seabees improve Primary School in Ethiopia

11-Jun-07
by U.S. Navy Builder Construction Apprentice Nick Emanuele
CJTF-HOA.

ADDIS, Ethiopia – The American Ambassador to Ethiopia, Honorable Donald Yamamoto paid a visit to the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 (NMCB 133), Detachment Horn of Africa (HOA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Seabees in Addis Ababa have been tasked by the Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) to construct three concrete masonry unit (CMU) block structures for the Abiot Emerja Primary School. One structure will house the school’s library, the second structure will become an administrative building, and the third structure will be a latrine facility.

U.S. Navy Construction Electrician First Class (Seabee Combat Warfare) Michael Duranko, who serves as the Addis Ababa Project Supervisor commented, “The project itself has been rewarding and has proven to be a challenge my crew is eager to take on. The initial construction started out slowly but once we worked out a few material and contractor issues, our construction processes dramatically improved.”

U.S. Ambassador Mr. Donald Yamamoto was greeted at the construction site by Petty Officer Duranko. Petty Officer Duranko described the phases of the project which included ground breaking location, materials needed for the project, and the structure site emplacement. Upon completion of the briefing, Petty Officer Duranko escorted the Ambassador to the project site to see the middle phases of construction.

At the construction site, the Seabee crew of Detail Addis Ababa were preparing for a concrete foundation placement scheduled only a few days away. The Seabees were pleased to meet the Ambassador and were happy for the pleasure of discussing details about the project with him. Overall, the U.S. Ambassador Yamamoto was quite impressed with the work the Seabees were doing and invited them out for dinner at a future date.

Builder Second Class (Seabee Combat Warfare) Scott Anderson, Addis Ababa Crew Leader remarked, “The Ambassador was surprised to see how much the project was impacting the surrounding communities. He [Ambassador Yamamoto] also said he never seen a project get so much attention as this one.”

In conjunction with the Ambassador’s visit the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) toured the project site. CE1 (SCW) Duranko had an opportunity to discus with the ENA the specifics of the Seabees mission in the Horn of Africa.

According to U.S. Ambassador Yamamoto told ENA, “The U.S. supports community centered development activities throughout Ethiopia and Seabee projects are a great way to strengthen the relationship between Ethiopia and the United States”.

The Seabees are expected to complete the Addis Ababa project in late September 2007. Future Seabee projects in the Addis Ababa area include additional school construction in other local neighborhoods.

Photo - U.S. Navy Construction Electrician First Class (Seabee Combat Warfare) Micheal J. Duranko (left), leads the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Donald Yamamoto (right), around the Abiot Emerja Primary School project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. U.S. Navy photo by Construction Apprentice Nick Emanuele.

Khowst PRT Winning the Fight in Afghanistan

May 30, 2007
BY Pfc. Micah E. Clare
4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan - Less than 10 miles from training camps that produced many of the 9/11 hijackers, a team of coalition servicemembers are working together to make sure the area once home to Osama Bin Laden's terrorist organization becomes an environment that will deny such people a support base ever again.

But for this joint service team spearheading the fight against terrorism in Eastern Afghanistan's, Khowst province doesn't involve executing tactical military operations but in providing reconstruction assistance.

The Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team, based in Forward Operating Base Chapman near Khowst City, serves as the main effort in rebuilding Khowst province by distributing humanitarian aid, mentoring local government officials, planning for construction projects and providing security for important events, said Navy Cmdr. Dave Adams, commander of the Khowst PRT.

"We're a reconstruction organization with a military arm," Cmdr. Adams said. PRTs were established in Afghanistan when it was realized in 2003 that units needed to focus on winning the security fight, and a separate military organization was required to head up the badly needed reconstruction efforts. The Navy and Air Force answered the call and stepped up to assist, explained Cmdr. Adams, a submarine officer of 21 years who volunteered for this command.

A team of military advisors, United States Agency for International Development and Department of State officials, joined together as a PRT; a board of directors working to synchronize their efforts and resources. The Khowst PRT has brought assistance to the province in the past few years by sending its Army Civil Affairs teams to live in local communities to send back updates on area needs. Many construction projects such as irrigation systems, diversion dams, wells, schools, and roads have been set into motion by the PRT in this way, Cmdr. Adams said.

"These projects serve not only to improve the quality of life for the residents, but also to put shovels in the people's hands, providing them with jobs," he said. A big part in bringing these quality of life improvements to Khowst is the necessity for security, he said. This is where the PRT security force comes in, typically provided by the Army National Guard.

"Good security is vital for the PRT's mission to be successful," said 2nd Lt. Cory Marr, platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, Arizona National Guard, who provides security and maneuver support to the Khowst PRT. The security is beginning to take care of itself, he said. The overall security in Khowst has improved greatly, which is the result of locals seeing the many improvements that have come in the past year, the fruit of their efforts in securing a safe environment. This has allowed the PRT to extend its reach, he explained.

"There's no place we're afraid to go," 2nd Lt. Marr said. "We work with the Afghan National Security Forces and get plenty of intelligence from the locals. For instance, we stop at police checkpoints as we enter an area, and they update us on the local situation. We always have a good understanding of the areas we're going into." "In some of the more remote places we go, the locals have become extremely helpful to us," said Spc. Doug Schletz, an infantryman in 2nd Plt. "They used to look at us like we were aliens, but recently they've seen what we're here to do for them, like seeing us helping the ANSF provide security for many of their events."

This increased security is so successful, international reconstruction agencies and foreign investors that have in the past shieded away from helping Afghanistan due to safety concerns are being drawn back, Cmdr. Adams said. Recently, a delegation from the United Arab Emirates arrived in Khowst City to visit projects they have invested in, such as the city university and main mosque. Cmdr. Adams was able to confidently assure the delegates that any future projects built by their country would be safe in Khowst.

"Security here is stronger than ever," he said to UAE representatives during a meeting at the provincial governor's compound in Khowst. "The Taliban no longer have a foothold here. The ANSF can protect anything built here by the U.S. or the UAE." This is a big step forward in winning the fight in Afghanistan, the commander said. "We're helping the Afghans create something for themselves that the Taliban couldn't: a safe environment, a growing economy and an increasing standard of living," he said.

"This is a terrific mission we can all be proud of," he said. "By helping the Afghans permanently cast off the tyranny the enemy brought to them and to us, we're providing hope to them and their children, and for us and our children."

Photo - A convoy from the Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team visits a district center in the Spera district of Khowst province, Afghanistan to assess the area's security situation. Photo by Pfc. Micah E. Clare.

Oil Initiatives, Funding Paying Off in Iraq

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service.

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2007 – The $1.725 billion appropriation committed to improving Iraq’s oil sector has had a major impact in building or restoring the country’s crude oil, natural gas and cooking fuel capacity, a senior official in Baghdad reported.

Navy Capt. Richard D. Fritzley, director of the oil sector for the Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region Division, told reporters during a May 19 roundtable session the funds committed to oil and gas production are paying off.

The program’s goal, he said, is to repair and rebuild existing oil systems and components throughout the country and to restore oil production capacity to pre-war levels.

“I am happy to report that as far as capacity or capability goes, we have achieved these goals,” Fritzley said.

“We believe today (that) there is capacity to pump 3 million barrels of oil, that we can make 800 million standard cubic feet of dry gas and that we can make 3,000 metric tons of cooking fuel,” he said.

Fritzley acknowledged that these production levels haven’t been achieved, but that it’s possible, once other obstacles get resolved.

The oil program is nearly completed, with four gas plants built, one in the north and three in the south. In addition, seven gas compression stations have been restored and 80 oil wells repaired, he said.

Other initiatives included providing independent power for some oil facilities to they can operate independent of the power grid and establishing voice and data communication links between offshore operating platforms and operating facilities ashore.

The program also has trained more than 1,500 employees to operate and maintain the oil facilities. Fritzley called this effort “a great success.”

There’s much more work ahead for the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, he said. This includes rebuilding and modernizing refineries, repairing and upgrading pipelines and continuing improvements to the oil wells.

Fritzley said the Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region District stands ready to assist the Oil Ministry and operating companies, as requested, and to help the ministry execute its own capital budget.

Meanwhile, the corps also is focused on enhancing security at certain oil facilities. The goal, Fritzley said, is “to protect them and get them back on line and get more crude oil flowing.”

Improving Fallujah’s Quality of Life

22 May 2007
By Norris Jones
Gulf Region Central.

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Maj. Angel Ortiz says he and his staff have the job of rebuilding Fallujah, despite the ongoing threats. He’s working in one of the most challenging areas in Iraq.

“Our hope is to do some good so that residents there see things are getting better,” said Ortiz. Ortiz is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division Fallujah Resident Office officer in charge and supervises a staff of 22 people including eight Iraqis. “Those local nationals are risking their lives every day going out and visiting the projects to ensure our contractors are providing quality construction in a safe manner,” he explained.

"We’re managing 87 projects in Fallujah and the surrounding area valued at $195 million. We’re working on rebuilding Fallujah’s entire electrical distribution system, constructing four primary healthcare centers each capable of providing medical care to 150 patients daily, and expanding the city’s water treatment capabilities,” Ortiz continued.

“My favorite project is the wastewater treatment system that will replace the city’s reliance on septic tanks. That $80 million effort includes pump stations, trunk mains, and a modern sewer treatment plant. It will get the sewage off the street and out of the Euphrates River, benefiting this area for decades to come.”

All these projects have meant a boon to the local economy with hundreds of local residents now part of the work crews. “They have good jobs and know they’re helping their community,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz and his staff work in partnership with local community leaders including those on the Fallujah Reconstruction Committee, the Fallujah City Council, and Director Generals from the various Ministries. “We see them on a weekly basis to ensure our efforts are meeting their expectations.”

Ortiz was mobilized as a member of the California National Guard’s Engineer Brigade 40th ID and is concluding his one-year tour this month. “It’s been a great assignment. We’re improving the quality of life for the citizens of Fallujah and I’m proud to be part of these efforts."

He had special praise for his wife, Mariluz, and their three children. “I have great support from them. My wife has done a tremendous job taking care of everything and that’s allowed me to concentrate on the work here. I can’t thank them enough for all they do.”

Photo: Major Angel Ortiz, California Army National Guard, chats with a youngster near one of the construction sites in Fallujah, Iraq. That child, whose father is employed there, says when he gets older he hopes to be involved in the same kind of work helping build Iraq’s future.

Airmen mentor Afghan depot personnel

16 May 2007
By Staff Sgt. Carlos Diaz
U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- Airmen stationed here supporting Operation Enduring Freedom are taking the time to mentor Afghan national army soldiers at the Central Maintenance Depot in Kabul.

Serving a one-year deployment, the Air Force mentors are embedded training team members supporting the Central Maintenance Depot's mission -- providing a storage place for the ANA's military supplies that is key for their sustainment level.

The depot is paramount to the ANA's ability to provide combat power, and when the Air Force team arrived, the compound was in austere, run-down conditions.

"This place was in dire need of basic, essential supplies," said Staff Sgt. Falsen Cambre, a weapons embedded training team mentor. "The buildings had no plumbing, electricity or windows. We began supplying them with the basics needed to accomplish the mission."

Some of the depot's 140-year-old buildings house large machines that manufacture vehicle and weapon parts.

"We've given the buildings a 100-year upgrade," said Maj. Jim Wood, a facilities mentor. "We've repaired walls, both structurally and cosmetically, added windows, doors, roofing and electrical capabilities."

The massive facelift did not go unnoticed.

"I'm so impressed how the (embedded training team) always pays attention to cleanliness and order," said ANA Col. Mohammad Usman, the deputy commander at the Central Maintenance Depot.

With time, patience and effort, the mentors have established and fostered a good working relationship with their ANA counterparts.

"They are very friendly and I've enjoyed our effective relationship," Colonel Usman said. "They have increased my leadership experience."

Helping to implement new safety practices was Senior Master Sgt. Bill Cole.

"Our team often stresses safety," the embedded training team member said. "Safety is, without a doubt, our No. 1 priority."

All manufacturing machines are cleaned and maintained to remain in proper working order. The team also designed a slogan, "People first, mission ready" to drive the safety message home. A large board was created to display this message and other important themes and proven safety practices.

"I'm impressed by this concept," said Lt. Col. Mohammad Asif, the machine shop chief. "A safe environment will provide the workers with the opportunity to produce good work."

"We're making a significant difference here," Major Wood said. "Several projects have enhanced the depot's ability to perform its important mission."

After constant use, weapons tend to break down. When that happens, they go to the depot for repair and maintenance. Once repaired, they must be tested for effectiveness.

This was when Major Wood and Sergeant Cambre's ingenuity was called to order. After reading through Air Force instructions, they synchronized their ideas to build a test firing range.

"This allows (the ANA) to test the weapons in a safe environment," Sergeant Cambre said. "This was a great team accomplishment and I'm happy they have a good firing range."

Whether it's a new firing range, buildings or supplies, the Airmen mentors left a mark on their ANA brethren's commitment to duty.

"I like being a part of the order established in our country and military," Colonel Usman said.

Photo: Staff Sgt. Falsen Cambre talks with Afghan national army weapon repair soldiers about logistical issues at the central maintenance depot in Kabul, Afghanistan. Airmen are mentoring ANA soldiers by establishing a process that helps improve the ANA's logistical capabilities. Sergeant Cambre is an embedded training team member assigned to Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.

Hard work creates progress in border provinces

May 16, 2007
By Army Pfc. Daniel M. Rangel
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

PARUNS, Afghanistan – Travel far enough into Afghanistan and you’ll find independent-minded people, confident in their attitudes and behaviors. Tribesmen here brandish Rocket Propelled Grenades and Kalashnikov rifles unlike the unarmed Afghans in the more urban areas.

The Korengal Outpost in the border Province of Kunar, has been a contentious region between these independent-minded people and Coalition forces and therefore serves as part of Afghanistan’s front lines against enemy insurgents.

The elder tribesmen from the Korengal Valley met for peace talks with Coalition leaders and Nuristan Gov. Tamim Nouristani at his compound in the Paruns Valley May 3.

“The Korengal Valley [elders, whose home] is enemy central for Kunar Province, where we’ve been doing most our fighting for the last 14 months now, have decided they want a third party outside of Kunar Province to talk their problems down,” said Army Capt. David W. Mayfield, Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment. “They trust Governor Nouristani to be that third-party element to help them solve that problem.”

Nouristani’s family is from Nuristan, but he was educated in the U.S. and owns a pizza restaurant chain there, Mayfield said.

“It’s going pretty good. Nuristan is pretty lucky having Governor Nouristani,” Mayfield said. “He came back to Afghanistan several years ago, was appointed as governor of Nuristan Province and he’s been working diligently ever since.”

Negotiations are going well in part because of the great amounts of hard work being done by Coalition troops on the ground that leaves the enemy with little alternative but to come to the negotiating table.

“We’ve been shot at 50 to 100 times. But our platoon has been really lucky,” said Army Spc. John K. Anderson, 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1-32 Inf. Rgt, from Flat Rock, Ala. “We haven’t had any kind of casualties besides our platoon sergeant (Sfc. Lopez) who got some shrapnel from a bullet jacket, but he’s fine now.”

“I’ve been in the army for three years. This is my first time to Afghanistan, first time getting deployed. I’ve been here since [last] March,” Anderson said.

When not on the front lines standing guard at the Korengal Outpost or out on foot patrols all around Kunar Province, Anderson and his platoon are hiking the mountains of Afghanistan retrieving lost Humanitarian Assistance drop packages or pulling security for a medical engagement.

“There for a while, we pulled security for the engineers then we started doing missions out of it which was a lot of walking. When you look at it on a map it doesn’t look like that much, maybe a ‘click’ (kilometer) or two. But look at your range and it’s straight up and straight down,” Anderson said.

Forward Operating Base Fenty is Afghanistan’s eastern gate. From there, Soldiers and a handful of sailors and airmen travel to the provincial reconstruction teams and other FOBs. Travel to the PRTs and FOBs is done by armored convoy or helicopter.

Anderson and his unit worked side-by-side with the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police to provide security for the peace summit at the governor’s compound.

“It’s been a long day of work,” said Navy Cmdr. Samuel Paparo, commander of the Nuristan PRT after returning from peace talks with Nouristani and the Korengal Valley elders.

“Suicide bombing is on the rise in Afghanistan, but that doesn’t necessarily mean things aren’t going well. Just because one bad thing is happening doesn’t mean things aren’t going well,” Paparo said.

“I think the reconstruction helps convince them that their needs are going to be met best by the legitimate Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” Paparo said.

The Coalition’s plan to reconcile with tribal elders in these remote provinces is making progress.

“The influence of the government through the coalition is spreading farther and further East and farther and further North for this [area of operations],” Paparo said. “This demonstrates progress.”

“The Korengali elders are here to speak with the governor and they’re here to see the dividends that peace provides. That’s progress. We’ve moved from Naray to Kamdesh and we have a permanent outpost in Kamdesh where they’re making an outreach and implementing reconstruction. That’s progress,” Paparo said. “We have gone from Asadabad to Camp Blessing in Nangalam. We haven’t been in Nangalam before. That is progress. We hope to have a PRT and a FOB right here in Paruns and that is progress. And there’s a PRT and a maneuver element in Kala Gush in western Nuristan where it hasn’t been before – and that’s progress.”

It is the intention of the TF Spartan commanders to move the Nuristan PRT to the Province’s capital in Paruns.

“I’m in constant preparation for it and I prefer that it happen sooner rather than later,” Paparo said. “I want to be here as soon as I can because I realize the sooner the PRT is here co-located with the seat of government the sooner it will be more effective and the more effective it will be in our very important work,” Paparo said.

Photo: The ANP and an American Soldier coordinate security in the governor’s compound before the peace talks May 3.

Basrah Public Works Initiative Complements Provincial Reconstruction Teams

14 May 2007
By B.J. Weiner
Gulf Region South - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

BASRAH, Iraq – Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) began as a concept in Afghanistan, developed by then U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad. They proved to be so successful that when Khalilzad was named Ambassador to Iraq in June 2005, he decided PRTs would be a good way to develop capacity in that country as well. PRTs are now being established in each Iraqi province.

The first PRT efforts in Afghanistan differ from those being run here in Iraq, according to Jim Donegan, Basrah PRT deputy team leader.

“Essentially in Afghanistan, those groups are led by the military and have a civilian component to them,” he said. “But here, we try to concentrate more on the civilian side of things – getting people up and working again and helping the local governments get the operational and logistical support they need.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one player in a group of players that number anywhere between 35 and 100 members depending on the area or province they serve. It is the Corps of Engineers that focuses on the reconstruction effort. Other organizations whose members comprise the PRTs include the State Department, coalition military personnel, the Justice Department, the Department of Agriculture, contract personnel and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

“Our mandate is to interact with the provincial councils,” Donegan said. “To say we focus only on reconstruction is a misnomer. That’s the Corps’ job, and here in Basrah, of course, that mission is filled by the southern district. The PRT’s job is to build capacity into the organs of local government, whether it’s the police or the city council. Our team has done incredible work in giving the local governments the capability to recognize what their constituents need, recognize the projects that are going to fill those needs, and getting the funding to put those projects into practice.”

He added that the PRT’s aim is for a strong government and infrastructure, noting that the people of Iraq have the ability and a basic infrastructure for a successful government structure.

“What we are focused on doing,” said Donegan, “is improving the capacity people have for doing their jobs – to do the things we, as westerners, take for granted. For example; handling budgets – how do you account for projects or identify the needs of your constituents and then respond to that? In other words, we want to build their capacity – empower them – to build a day-to-day structure for themselves.”

In Basrah, he said, the British head the PRT and each member of that group handles a different aspect of government, including economic, legal and reconstruction. That last piece falls to Corps of Engineers.

“The way it works,” Donegan said, “is that the provincial reconstruction development councils in each province identify a kind of ‘wish-list’ of projects they would like to see completed for their people. Then that corresponding provincial council, like a state legislature, puts its stamp of approval on the PRDC list.

Funding for the projects comes from a number of different sources, such as the United States, coalition partners and donor nations in the form of economic support funds (ESF), Commander’s Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and some new funds which have been targeted for USAID such as the Community Action Program (CAP) and the Local Government Program (LGP), said Donegan. “They then give this list to the PRT, with their priorities clearly stated, and the PRT reviews the list, develops scopes of work and then sends it to NCT (National Coordination Team) in Baghdad. They make the final decision on what they will fund,” he said.

The Corps of Engineers develops the scopes of work for the projects that involve reconstruction, according to Lt. Col. Kenny McDonald, deputy commander, Gulf Region South district (GRS) in Basrah. “We take what the Iraqis have given us, work the scopes and estimates and forward them to Baghdad as fast as we can so we can get the funding and start building in the community where they need it.”

McDonald emphasized that capacity development differs greatly depending on the sector that is involved; detail drive the focus. But establishing people who are qualified for the positions that are needed to run the infrastructures is a big part of the equation. “We take it from an infrastructure perspective and then apply it to reconstruction,” he said. “This is the Basrah Public Works Initiative.”

“The BPWI integrates into the PRT,” he said. “This began when Colonel Johnston [GRS commander] was looking at coming up with a model that would assist in developing capacity in the PRDC. I met with British Army Lt. Col. Richard Brown, PRT deputy, and found he had a different initiative. He was trying to develop them to look at long-range plans to develop projects.”

McDonald said that the two developed the BPWI to address all PRT needs and added that the key to the plan is that it can be used for each sector working group and the overall PRDC.

“The model fits within the model,” he said. “By that I mean, for capacity development, you would ask two questions: First, do the folks here know how to run what they currently have; and second, are they set up managerial-wise as an organization to run with some guidance?”

He explained that when a system analysis on Basrah is done, both the capacity development and the infrastructure pieces are addressed. He noted that frequently while the infrastructure may be sound, there is no one able to do the work needed to maintain it.

“When you do a system analysis, you do the whole system,” he said. “You look at it from the standpoint of management: Is the organization structured properly? Do you have the right number of people in the right locations doing the necessary work? Currently, Basrah doesn’t have that. They have bits and pieces but this needs to be looked at from a holistic perspective. When you do that, you see where the gaps are and you are able to identify where you need to concentrate your efforts.”

McDonald said the sector working groups of the PRTs are ideal for the implementation of the concepts behind the BPWI. The group presents the ideas to the Iraqi representatives on the team and has them present it to their provincial council with an “Iraqi stamp on it.”

“We have already started with the water group,” McDonald said. “One thing you will find is that they (Iraq) are about 30-40 years behind on infrastructure upkeep. They have maps of pipes and sewer lines, so we are training them on our Geographic Information System. This can be a connectivity thread for all sector working groups. You can click on maps of sewer pipes, and then on a specific pipe and tag it for information, such as when it was installed, the size, who installed it, etc. Then, down the road, you should be able to identify all you have in the ground and start developing maintenance plans.

He said this strategy can be applied to fit every kind of infrastructure Iraq has, but added that although the learning curve will be steep, in the end it will pay off handsomely. “Here is the thing,” he said. “They are going through the GIS training, using the old maps that they currently have and inputting in real data during the training. They will end up with an overall idea of what they currently have in the ground.”

McDonald estimates that in six months, the Iraqis could have a viable system with which to work. “Working in concert with Brown has given us both the breadth of knowledge we need to get this idea off the ground. There has never before been a strategic vision as to where the Iraqis want to go and now we are beginning to change that, make some headway and increase capacity development along the way. And that’s pretty exciting.”

Anbar Villages Appreciate Water Treatment Investment

14 May 2007
By Norris Jones
Gulf Region Central - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

RAMADI, Iraq – Residents north of Ramadi, Iraq will soon have fresh, potable water pumped into their homes.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Gulf Region Central district is overseeing the construction of two small water treatment plants as well as the installation of 24,000 meters of water main for Zangora, a community of 48,000 people, in central Iraq.

Those two units, each capable of purifying 200 cubic meters per hour, are located several kilometers apart to ensure the entire city has an adequate water source. “Residents tell us they’re definitely looking forward to the project’s completion this summer when they will have access to clean water for the first time ever,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Arturo Aseo, USACE Officer in Charge of the Ramadi area.

Each unit is supplied raw water through a 500-meter intake pipe connected to the Euphrates River. The distribution system consists of 200mm, 150mm and 100mm water mains.

“Projects like these are what it’s all about – helping people. It’s great to see the smiles from local residents– young and old. They appreciate what we’re doing,” Aseo continued. “Security is a challenge in Al Anbar Province. But in my four months here, I have seen a dramatic improvement in conditions. Local sheiks are now supporting us. They see we’re here to assist them to make things better. Contractors are excited to do the work. These are all very positive signs.”

The Zangora projects are among 31 water treatment projects Aseo’s office is overseeing. His staff is also managing a number of electric projects including repair and commissioning of an 11-megawatt diesel generating facility south of Ramadi in Tameem, $27.8 million project to rebuild Ramadi’s 132kV substation, and the construction of a new 132kV overhead transmission line.

“This is a great assignment. These projects will be benefiting the area for decades to come,” Aseo concluded.

Photo: An Iraqi worker moves construction materiel around one of two water treatment plants in Ramadi, Iraq. USACE photo by Norris Jones.

Dhi Qar PRT successes showing through

14 May 2007
Spc. Chris Erickson
U.S. Central Command Public Affairs.

Security authority for Dhi Qar has been under Provincial Iraqi Control for almost six months now, and many successes in the province are starting to show through.

The Iraqis who live in Dhi Qar province are now finding opportunities they never had under Saddam. The Provincial Reconstruction Team, which was set up last year, has been acting as advisers to the Iraqis, helping them determine which steps will best suit them to get Iraq to stand up on its own. To accomplish that goal, the PRT has been working with many different groups in the area, from U.S. and Coalition military to foreign civilian and Iraqi nationals.

Dhi Qar PRT team leader Dr. Anna Prouse, who has been in Iraq since 2003, spoke about what her team was doing to help ensure the Iraqis have a better future.

"'Reconstruction' is sort of [a] misleading word, because I'm not actually here to rebuild," she said. "I'm not here to do the 'brick and mortar' thing. Iraqis can do it, and they probably can do it much better than I. I'm here to build capacity, build this country from the roots, and the roots is the minds, the roots is the education, the health system. Not just put in a clinic, and don't care whether doctors, whether nurses exist, [but] whether they actually know how to maintain a hospital.

"The same thing could be adopted for the education system," she continued. "No one can ever complain or criticize us for building schools. They're not expensive. My point is I build the schools and now I go for the educational system. Now I start checking out 'Do girls go to school? Do girls go to school with boys? And OK, now I gave you the school but now you have to listen to me and have my advisers come in there and advise you on how to have a school running.'"

Richard Riley, the deputy team leader of Dhi Qar PRT, said there were four areas in particular from the President's New Way Forward plan that the PRTs were focusing on to establish capacity within the Iraqis themselves.

"[We need to] bolster the moderates in government of the provinces where we work," he said. "Another is foster reconciliation across the political lines around the province. Develop the economy to the degree that we can by advising the government in economic development. The fourth is to develop the capacity of the government in the province to perform its functions as a government.

"We accomplish those four key objectives in two main programatic ways," Riley continued. "The first is through capacity building programs. The second is with reconstruction programs.

"We are advising the government in drafting their provincial development strategy, which is the comprehensive strategy that will guide this province for the next three years, to decide what are the reconstruction priorities for the government, where should they put their money that they're getting from Baghdad, [and] helping them organize their thoughts around what this program should consist of," he said. "We're also helping to build the capacity to execute their budget. Governments run on budgets, they need the money to get the jobs done, to deliver services to the people of the province. We are helping to build the architecture of their budgeting process, getting them connected with Baghdad, getting them to use the money appropriately."

Riley added that they were also getting a web site built that will connect public administration groups from around the province, to make it easier for those groups to communicate. In addition, there are also a lot of different training programs springing up that will help train Iraqis.

"They do not know how to use computers, let's teach them how to use computers," said Prouse. "They have good engineers, but they do not have good architectural skills. Let's bring in advisers who are architects and teach those engineers how to bring in architectural skills, together with their engineering skills. Doctors are pretty good, but they're not updated. So, how to update doctors? Nurses don't even exist, so we train nurses here on the field."

She explained that, until now, they did a lot of training in Italy. She felt that to really achieve progress, Iraqis had to be trained in Iraq.

"I have a good province, a safe province, still Iraq ... but its' a safer Iraq, so I want Italian experts, American experts to come over here and teach the Iraqis on how to do it. So the first big project we are doing on that, the first capacity building project is we're building a ward, a theater, an operation theater at Camp Ur," she said "They already have a clinic, so we put in a ward, and that's where ... they will go in there and have surgery for two weeks, and have surgeries on facial reconstruction, on Iraqi children," she continued. "Iraqi doctors will assist in the surgeries, learn from those surgeries and then go out there and do the same thing on their patients in Iraqi hospitals."

Prouse spoke about the PRTs main role as advisers.

"The Iraqi government should start seeing us as good advisers, advisers with huge skills," she said. "My team, they have been all over the world. They know what they are talking about. Right now I have two agriculture advisers who are doing an assessment of the entire province."

"It absolutely adds a diversity of ideas," Riley added. "We have a lot of people here with a lot of experience," he said, referring to engineers, architects, water resource managers, and the different specialists who worked with the PRTs to help accomplish their goals.

"The last year, the province only spent 20 percent of its budget. This year they received $140 million," said Prouse. "I'm here to help you decide where best to spend your money, how to set up a budget. Last years budget looked like a high school budget. And it's not because they are incapable. They have never ever done it before. We have done it for centuries, so we know what we're talking about. This starts being accepted in their mentality," she said, referring to how her team now had a very good relationship with the Iraqi authorities and members of the local government.

Prouse said to accomplish her team's goals, they worked closely with the other groups in the area: the U.S., Australian and Romanian militaries. She said for Iraq to succeed in the end, all groups must maintain a joint effort, and that was something which was being achieved, as every group benefited from the experiences of the others.

"We have a different goal, but in the end we both want the same thing," she said. "It's fantastic group work. I haven't seen this anywhere else, it's not all about Coalition, it's about civilians and military just getting along together."

Prouse said it was challenging at first when no one from the provincial government wanted to meet. She said that as time went on, however, the local officials began to trust them and now they were having the Provincial Reconstruction Development Council at least once a week.

"Iraq is small steps, it's relationships," she said. "If the governor does not believe in me, if the chief of police tries to blow me up every time I get out of that gate, then I will never be able to build anything. So the first months were just, work hard and show them that you really have enthusiasm, and that the whole team really believes in this."

Prouse said it was important for PRT members to believe in a better future for Iraq so much that they would be willing to work here for more than half a year.

"Iraqis need one face, they can't have too many people running around them, and they can't have people who come in for six months and then leave," she said. "Because after six months, you don't even understand what's going on here. So six months gives you the idea of what's going on, you start building relationships, and then you leave. And then there's a new face coming in? And that's what I asked my government: not less than one year. I don't want anyone to show up and leave after a few months."

"It takes time to build trust and engagement with the Iraqi provincial governments," Riley said. "There are two things happening at one time. First, they themselves are building up their own capacity to be a government, and do the things they're meant to do under the Iraqi constitution. Second, we as the Coalition are attempting, at the same time they are building up, we are trying to integrate and become trusted advisers in that process.

"You cannot do a reconstruction, you cannot carry forward the president's program in this country, unless you have that level of trust," he added.

Prouse said that the PRT program was good in certain places, but it wasn't something that could work everywhere, for different reasons.

"This is a successful PRT, the team is very good, but there is a combination of factors [that] helps it being a good place to work," said Prouse. "There are other places in the country where it is impossible to get out, if you get out you get killed. PRT is all about interacting with Iraqis, if you don't meet the Iraqis honestly you might as well go home.

"I don't think we should just keep on perceiving it stubbornly in every single province thinking that it is a success story," she said. "Here, my goal, my long term goal, is making it a small success so that private investors come in, the UN comes in.

"I want this to be a place where the UN starts thinking 'lets start putting a couple of our people embedded in the PRT'," she continued. "I asked for a private investment expert, just come here and analyze what companies are around, what SOEs are around, and then I can start calling up companies and saying 'Listen, come over here and look at this company, I will make sure that you get there safely, [and] come back safely'," she said. "People have to start coming out here and seeing Iraq is not the same all over the place, it changes a lot."

"They are getting excited," said Prouse, referring to the Iraqis. "There is a big difference between Baghdad and here. It's hard to ask them to be enthusiastic when the main goal is to stay alive until the end of the day. Asking them to fight for capacity building programs is a little far-fetched," she continued. "When I said that in Baghdad, I could see people rolling their eyes. Here, it clicked. I told them what it was about, and they are an enthusiastic bunch. That makes my life, our life, that much easier to go out there and have an enthusiastic PRDC. Have people who actually want to see us because they believe that we could make the difference together with them."

Prov. Recon. Teams in S. Iraq – Progress Toward Independence

9 May 2007
Spc. Chris Erickson
CENTCOM Public Affairs

“We’re very focused on the need to return control to Baghdad. But we’re also very focused on the need to build capacity in the local and provincial governments and to be able to deliver economic and reconstruction assistance there.”

Those words were from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a statement January, 2007, explaining the need to build up Iraq and provide its people with independence.

For some provinces of the country, that independence has been achieved. Setting a milestone on July 13, 2006, Muthanna became the first province to transition its security to Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC). The second province to transfer authority was Dhi Qar on September 21 and An Najaf on December 20. Most recently, Maysan transferred authority on April 18.

But the government in these areas is still in its fledgling stages. Having spent so much time under the Saddam-controlled central government, many officials in provinces such as Dhi Qar and Muthanna are learning how to manage and provide essential services for the people in their areas.

That’s where the Provincial Reconstruction Teams come in. The PRTs exist as a civil-military effort, which in many places become the number one interface between U.S. and Coalition allies and Iraqi provincial governments.

In June 2005, Iraq’s Prime Minister announced a joint decision to systematically hand over security authority in all 18 of Iraq’s provinces to the Provincial Civil Authorities under the control of each province’s governor. The security responsibility will then fall under the authority of the Provincial Governor, the Provincial Council and the Iraqi Police.

A fact sheet provided by the PRTs stated the Joint Committee to Transfer Security Responsibility was formed to determine when a province was ready to be transferred. The JCTSR looks to four conditions when determining whether or not a province is ready for its security responsibility to be transferred. Those conditions are threat assessment, readiness of the Iraqi Security Forces, the governance capabilities of the province and Multi National Forces-Iraq force posture.

The fact sheet also highlighted as part of the President’s plan, the number of PRT personnel will double to 600 team members countrywide. In conjunction with the added staff, the capacity of the PRT program is being doubled with ten new “embedded” PRTs. These teams will work hand-and-glove in Brigade Combat Teams in synch with the military surge in Anbar and the Baghdad area.

Manning of the PRTs is diverse: Department of State, United States Agency for International Development, Coalition military personnel, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Gulf Region Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and contract personnel.

Not only do the PRT members come from a variety of backgrounds, but support comes from a variety of sources, including the U.S., Coalition partners and donor nations with the majority coming from the U.S. Economic Support Fund. Principal programs associated with PRTs include Community Action Program, Local Governance Program, Iraq Civil Society Program and Community Stabilization Program.

All of these factors contribute to planning what projects to do, what advice the PRTs can offer the Iraqis, and how the overall progress comes about.

Richard Riley, the deputy team leader of the Italian-led Dhi Qar PRT, said there were four areas in particular from the President's New Way Forward plan the PRTs were focusing on to build capacity within the Iraqis themselves.

"[We need to] bolster the moderates in government of the provinces where we work," he said. "Another is foster reconciliation across the political lines around the province. Develop the economy to the degree that we can by advising the government in economic development. The fourth is to develop the capacity of the government in the province to perform its functions as a government.”

Success in these four areas means a stable, secure country, one that is able to govern capably and meet the basic needs of the Iraqis. But getting the job done isn’t just about planning, and capacity building can’t be done without trust.

Dr. Anna Prouse, team leader for the Dhi Qar PRT, said it was challenging at first when no one from the provincial government wanted to meet. She said as time went on, however, the local officials began to trust them and now they are having the Provincial Reconstruction Development Council at least once a week.

" Iraq is small steps, it's relationships," she said. "If the governor does not believe in me, if the chief of police tries to blow me up every time I get out of that gate, then I will never be able to build anything. So the first months were just, work hard and show them that you really have enthusiasm, and that the whole team really believes in this."

Prouse has been in Iraq since 2003, so she is very familiar with what success will take and what it will mean for the Iraqis. She spoke about what her current team was doing to help ensure the Iraqis have a better future.

"'Reconstruction' is sort of [a] misleading word, because I'm not actually here to rebuild," she said. "I'm not here to do the 'brick and mortar' thing. Iraqis can do it, and they probably can do it much better than I. I'm here to build capacity, build this country from the roots, and the roots is the minds, the roots is the education, the health system. Not just put in a clinic, and don't care whether doctors, whether nurses exist, [but] whether they actually know how to maintain a hospital.”

Training Iraqis in much-needed job fields, such as doctors and nurses, isn’t the only challenge. The PRT must also work on reconciling differences so administration officials can better work together, they must instruct the local government on planning and executing budgets, and also help the local populace determine which projects will best help provide essential services.

Accomplishing those goals means also coordinating with groups besides the Iraqis, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lt. Cmdr Billy Frank Davis, Camp Adder area Officer-in-Charge for USACE Gulf Region South, spoke about some projects they had worked on with help from the PRTs.

“We’ve got some health clinics,” he said. “Most of these are personal health clinics that are in small communities that don’t have any kind of medical facilities, [where] the closest hospital is maybe 50-60 kilometers away, so this provides health resources for the communities there. We also provide some electrical substations and generation stations for these smaller communities. They’re also in the larger communities, but a lot of these are primarily for the smaller communities. We also do water systems, water storage facilities, some treatment facilities, basically your public works-type projects that you would normally see back in the states, we are providing for communities here in Iraq.”

Getting projects such as these can bring hope to the Iraqis, because they see results: people from different nations are coming in, not necessarily to just combat the insurgency, but to build capacity.

“If you’re not going to contribute anything to the effort, and all you’re going to do is lend advice, yeah that’s not going to work,” said Army Maj. Jacob Kulzer, civil military operations officer for the 1/34th Brigade Combat Team. “So John [Manza] and Anna have made it a point to travel a lot and spend a lot of time in the city, in the province, with the government officials, in their offices,” he continued. “Working with them, to live, feel, smell, see what the issues are, understand all the dynamics that don’t necessarily meet the eye in a conference room that are at play in order to come up with an effective solution. So they are both very well liked, well known and well respected.”

"They are getting excited," said Prouse, referring to the Iraqis. “[We] have [interaction with] people who actually want to see us because they believe that we could make the difference together with them."

Optimism and enthusiasm aren’t two words that are generally associated with Iraq , but those two qualities are showing through as the south progresses more and more toward independence.

Julie Nutter, team leader for the Maysan PRT, spoke of successes she had seen, and what they meant for the future of Iraq.

"One of the things Maysan is good at is allocating funds," she said. "They have been able to create the processes to determine what they have to do to get what they need for the province. They'll continue doing this, they're refining the process as they go along, but they have really good technical expertise in the provincial government.

“It's more an issue of uncovering that expertise and directing it, rather than creating it, because in a lot of cases it's there,” she continued. “What we're doing is we're trying to act as a catalyst and take that talent and to apply it toward, in a systematic way, the most important needs of Maysan. That's what I think is one of the biggest successes. We are a catalyst and that is an extremely important role, but this is the Iraqi's future, and they know that.

“They're really excited about that and they're eager to work with us,” she said. “I remember that at a seminar that we had, before the provincial development strategy seminar, one of the Iraqi leaders said to me, 'We would like Maysan province to become a model for other provinces in Iraq to follow.' That, to me, is the most hopeful comment that I've heard since I've been here."

Kulzer said because the PRT members had such close relationships with the local Iraqis, they were extremely effective, as the local Iraqi officials might not respect their position, but they do respect them as friends. Those relationships have enabled steps forward, because all parties have something invested in making Iraq secure and free.

“Most recently, we’ve been able to have a couple of really interesting, very candid security discussions,” said Kulzer, “with the governor, and the chief of police, and the Army brigade commander, and mayors of some of the key cities in the area, and then all the Coalition partners, sitting around this same table, having a very candid discussion about what the problems are, where there’s corruption, what’s really happening.”

Prouse said while the PRT program was good in certain places, it wasn't something that could work everywhere, one major reason one being security.

"There are other places in the country where it is impossible to get out,” she said. “If you get out you get killed. PRT is all about interacting with Iraqis. If you don't meet the Iraqis, honestly, you might as well go home.

"I don't think we should just keep on perceiving it stubbornly in every single province thinking that it is a success story," she said. "Here, my goal, my long term goal, is making it a small success so that private investors come in, the UN (United Nations) comes in.

"I want this to be a place where the UN starts thinking 'lets start putting a couple of our people embedded in the PRT'," she continued. "I asked for a private investment expert, just come here and analyze what companies are around, what SOEs (State-owned enterprises) are around, and then I can start calling up companies and saying 'Listen, come over here and look at this company, I will make sure that you get there safely, [and] come back safely'," she said. "People have to start coming out here and seeing Iraq is not the same all over the place, it changes a lot."

Don Brown, provincial action officer on the Maysan team, said that while the PRTs helped with reconstruction efforts, the credit lies with the Iraqis.

"In the end, the results will not be achieved by the PRT or U.S. or Coalition activity," he said. "The real results are in the hands of the Iraqis themselves. The Iraqi people are in charge of moving forward, on building the future of their province, at least in the case of Maysan. We, in our team, stand ready to assist, and we're really excited for the opportunities there are in capacity building and developing."