Reconstruction Team Arrives in Taji

The 1st "Ironhorse" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, just received a helping hand as it works with Iraqis to rebuild government capabilities and capacities which are necessary to enable the new Iraqi nation's transition to a self-reliant government under the control of the Iraqi people.

This new-found assistance comes in the form of members of the brigade's newest attachment, the Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (EPRT), which arrived here, April 10.

Working as a joint civilian and military unit made up of diplomats, military officers and experts in fields such as economics, agriculture, law and engineering, the EPRT's combined efforts with Iraqi local and provincial governments and the 1st Brigade Combat Team are designed to meet several specific goals.

Some of these goals include such things as helping Iraqis start dialogues with each other to solve issues of sectarian divisions on the local and provincial levels, the enabling of economic stability through creating small businesses and the generating of jobs; and assisting local and provincial governments with their abilities to provide essential services (water, electricity and other services) to their people.

The EPRT will also work hand-in-hand with civil affairs specialists within the brigade to meet these goals.

Teaming the EPRTs with brigades is part of a much larger plan outlined by President George W. Bush on Jan. 10, when he announced the embedding of 10 new EPRTs within brigade combat teams in Iraq, in addition to the 10 which were already in existence throughout the country.

"We are extremely encouraged about the arrival of the Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Teams," said Lt. Col. Peter Andrysiak, deputy commanding officer, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and native of Austin, Texas. "The backgrounds of the entire team are exceptional, the Foreign Service officers, U.S. Agency for International Development representative and the Bilingual Bicultural Advisor are the best the U.S. has to offer.

"Their skill sets and expertise are just what we need in this counterinsurgency fight where our objective is to 'foster the development of effective governance by a legitimate government,'" added Andrysiak. "For the last four years, we (the coalition and Iraqis) have done our best at developing local governance and trying to stimulate economic growth, but these professionals do this for a living and they will help us develop viable indigenous leaders and institutions that can carry on without significant coalition support."

Members of the EPRT said they look forward to the work ahead of them.

"We feel great about being a part of the (1st Brigade Combat Team) team," said Dean Wooden, team leader for the 1st Brigade Combat Team's EPRT. "From our first meeting, everything was very well organized and we felt very welcomed."

As a Foreign Service officer, Wooden's experience in diplomatic matters stems from assignments in the Congo, Nigeria, Germany, Barbados and one previous stint in Iraq.

One thing that Wooden said will be very important toward economic growth to strengthen the local and provincial governments is awarding "Iraqi contracts (for projects) to the Iraqis."

Within 30 days, the EPRT, Iraqis and Ironhorse Brigade will formulate a joint common plan which will, according to Andrysiak, allow them to bring all of the assets of the EPRT and Iraqi provincial governments to bear against the challenges faced in establishing stable local and provincial governments for the Iraqis.

Andrysiak said he feels extremely optimistic about what the Ironhorse brigade will be able to accomplish by partnering with the EPRTs and the Iraqis.

"As a team, I feel we can build the indigenous government capability and capacity needed to stimulate economic growth that supports the transition to local Iraqi control and self-reliance."

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq

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