Published: June 25, 2006
Joint Billeting Project Completion Marked With Ceremony
Capt. Amy A. Bishop, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
SAMARRA, Iraq - (June 23, 2006) Iraqi Army officials conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a $12 million billeting project for Iraqi Army Soldiers in Samarra last Thursday.
Iraqi Army Officials perform a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the completion of a billeting project at Forward Operating Base Seven that will feed and house more than 650 Iraqi Army Soldiers.
U.S. Army photo: Capt. Amy A. Bishop, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
The new billets at Forward Operating Base 7, closely located to the Coalition Force's FOB Brassfield-Mora, will house more than 860 Iraqi Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division.
The completed project includes not only the billets but a dining hall and shower facilities as well. Prior to the completion, the Soldiers on FOB 7 were living in cramped tents, many of which leaked and had no climate control. There were also limited washing and dining facilities. Other projects underway include a motor-pool and storage facility.
Soldiers at FOB 7 train closely with Coalition Forces Soldiers from FOB Brassfield-Mora, commanded by Lt. Col. Skip Johnson, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne. FOB Brassfield-Mora currently provides FOB 7 with many of the things they require to operate until they can establish their own systems. The completion of this project was a step in that direction.
The goal for the project was not only to complete it, but to include Iraqis in all stages of the process from the architect and contractor down to the labor force.
"The contractor is called First Iraqi, First Kuwaiti,' said Capt. Thomas Swint, U.S. Military Transition Team Leader for FOB 7. "They have several other projects in the Samarra area and they have done, for the most part, very good work."
The U.S Army Corps of Engineers began the project more than two years ago to assist in the stand-up of Iraqi Security Forces. During this time, it has undergone many difficulties and many changes. The difficulties included logistics and weather issues during construction and changes to the initial design to compensate for the extraordinary heat and weather conditions in the Iraqi desert.
The Iraqi Army host a luncheon in their new dining facility after the official ribbon cutting ceremony at Forward Operating Base Seven to mark the opening of the new billeting facility that will feed and house more than 650 Iraqi Army Soldiers on the base.
U.S. Army Photo: Capt. Amy A. Bishop, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
"I think what we learned from this construction experience is that the 'fast-track' design system may not always be the way to go …with the heat and the weather and the type of construction," said Lt. Col. Robert Mitrocsak, Provincial Reconstruction Team Engineer.
The ribbon cutting ceremony included a speech by both the 1st Brigade Commander, Col. Ali Al Jaborah and Mitrocsak, and a presentation of awards and gifts to those involved in the completion of the project. The Iraqi Army hosted a luncheon in their new dining facility at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Although there were problems and delays, Swint believes that the wait was worth it. Since the Iraqi Army Soldiers have moved into their new quarters, he has seen an improvement in morale and performance.
"The Soldiers are noticeably uplifted," says Swint "the looks on their faces is just amazing."
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
Lt. Col. Skip Johnson, Battalion Commander, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division shows an award to fellow Soldiers given to him by the Iraqi Army for his battalion's efforts in completing a billeting construction project for Iraqi Army Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Seven near Samarra, Iraq.
U.S. Army Photo: Capt. Amy A. Bishop, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
Staff Sgt. Jon Ryver, Military Integrated Transition Team Member, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, enjoys a meal during a luncheon hosted by the Iraqi Army at Forward Operating Base Seven in their new dining facility after a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the completion of the new billeting project that will feed and house more than 650 Iraqi Army Soldiers.
U.S. Army Photo: Capt. Amy A. Bishop, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment |
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