Posted on 02/17/2006 3:23:56 PM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD (Army News Service, Feb. 17, 2006) – Responsible for the rebuilding of Baghdad’s infrastructure – restoration and improvement of electricity, water, sewer and transportation systems, members of the 4th Brigade Combat Team Infrastructure Coordination Element – known as ICE – have their work cut out for them.
It’s a daunting task that requires support from the Iraqi government, several U.S. governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations, reconstruction efforts are one of the many missions facing the 4th BCT, 4th Infantry Division.
“We bridge the gap by developing relationships not only with the Iraqis to gain their priorities – that is really where we are trying to focus – but also with the (Iraqi) state department (ministers) who are currently standing up,” said Maj. Ray Proske, executive officer, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th BCT,
The coordination cell works with local leaders within the communities and neighborhoods to identify and service their particular needs – working to coordinate the repair of Iraqi essential services within the brigade’s prescribed area of operations.
“Each of the different areas has its unique challenges,” Proske added. “One thing to keep in mind is that most of the infrastructure in this country was built more than 20 years ago and has been very poorly maintained.”
The problem is also complicated by numerous unauthorized taps on the city’s water and electrical systems, further draining an already depleted infrastructure, said Proske.
This will only be resolved once the city begins to regulate the services it provides to the people living in Baghdad, he added.
The biggest task before the four-man team, which is responsible for overseeing special reconstruction projects in central and south Baghdad, is working with the local Iraqi governance to ensure that the planning, upkeep and improvement of city systems happens as efficiently as possible.
“The engineers are trying to overcome this challenge by hiring local Iraqi engineers to maintain and supervise the many ongoing projects and to assist in quality assurance, thus ensuring the contractors are providing an adequate product,” Proske added. “Though the staff is small, local Iraqi engineers are vital to operations for the ICE.”
Currently, the program has one local consultant-engineer, an Iraqi man named Thamer, who wears many hats.
Thamer, a 46-year old electrical engineer, is responsible for identifying all scopes of work within the communities and coordinating the execution of each project through the different government agencies.
“After identification, we bid for those projects. We call contractors and give them the bids to submit at those prices,” Thamer said. “We analyze prices and compare that with the quantity to see if it is reasonable or not.”
Thamer, who earned his master’s in engineering from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, also manages several Iraqi site engineers who supervise the local contractors to ensure the quality of work and timeliness of project completion.
Once a project is finished, the ICE maintains contacts with two district advisory councils within the brigade’s battle space as well as the Iraqi government to ensure the completed work meets the population’s needs.
“Our goal is to give a very good project to serve the people,” Thamer said. “We are in constant contact with the departments and the employees within the district council in order to coordinate with the contractors.”
Capt. Robert Graetz who serves as the sewers project manager, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th STB, said he hopes that the projects being completed now will eventually lay the groundwork for larger construction projects that will increase the capabilities of the current systems.
As the civil engineers work to improve living conditions for the communities they are also working to help the Iraqi people become self-sufficient.
“Instead of throwing a lot of money into project after project, our solution is to invest that money into the city government to prop up their operating budget so that they can do it themselves,” said Graetz.
Graetz, a West Point graduate with a master’s from the University of Missouri said one way the Army is accomplishing this goal is by providing equipment, training and technical expertise to the maintenance departments and the local communities within the districts.
Most of the projects that began during 4th BCT’s deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom will take some time to complete. In fact, many of the end effects of the projects will not be seen until after 4th BCT has completed its mission and redeployed.
(Staff Sgt. Brent Williams serves with the 4th BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.)
PING
Good Morale, Thy name is SandRat.
The coordination cell works with local leaders within the communities and neighborhoods to identify and service their particular needs – working to coordinate the repair of Iraqi essential services within the brigade’s prescribed area of operations.
I love the way they're doing this. They're teaching the Iraqis how to do it for themselves.
Thanks for the ping!
BTTT
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