Dagger gives Nasir Wa Salam new fire station

2nd HBCT PAO, 1st Inf. Div., MND-B

Maj. Jeffrey Schrick, a native of Frederick, Okla., commander, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, operationally attached to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, speaks with a member of the Arabic media at the grand opening of the Nasir Wa Salam Fire Station in the Abu Ghraib district west of Baghdad June 11. The fire station will provide a service to the community that was not offered previously.

BAGHDAD - The 2nd "Dagger" Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad unveiled a new two-story fire station, equipped with the proper gear and vehicles to Nasir Wa Salam as part of a continued civil capacity improvement undertaking in the Abu Ghraib Qada June 11.

The planning for the building started in October 2008 as the brigade hired local contractors and engineers to construct it. The brigade also provided the funding for the project.

"This is actually a gift from the people of the United States to the local population of Nasir Wa Salam and to the people of Iraq," said Maj. Jeffrey Schrick, a native of Frederick, Okla., commander, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 2nd HBCT. "This is a gesture of our support for the continued progress of this wonderful community."

Sgt. Jason Powell, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., assigned to a personal security detachment with the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, helps secure the surrounding area of the Nasir Wa Salam Fire Station in Abu Ghraib June 11. Elements of the brigade and local leaders of Abu Ghraib hosted the grand opening for the fire station, which celebrated the continued partnership between the U.S. and Iraq.

The 2nd Bn., 8th Cav. Regt. works closely with the Iraqi Security Forces in the area to keep the people of Nasir Wa Salam safe, allowing for more essential services projects to be planned.

"This place is very peaceful and very secure; we have all the elements supporting this concept of peace," said Kamil Abbas, the chairman of the Abu Ghraib Council. "The IA and IP are quite ready to handle the security in Abu Ghraib."

Abbas said the firefighters at the new station are also fully capable to do their job in an emergency situation.

Firefighters stand in formation at the opening ceremony for the Nasir Wa Salam Fire Station in Abu Ghraib June 11. The fire station is the second to be opened in the county, which is kept secure by Iraqi Security Forces and elements of the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

"This fire station will give great services to the people of Nasir Wa Salam and the fire fighters are ready to serve," he said. "The contractors did the best to build this institution and we will do our best to keep Abu Ghraib prosperous."

Schrick added that it was another milestone toward a better future in the area and the fire station was a symbol for a new Nasir Wa Salam and a strengthened friendship.

"I am glad we have a good relationship with the Coalition forces," said Abbas. "This was a gift given to us and we are so thankful."