SAMARRA, Iraq, March 27, 2006 — Welcome to the world of Civil Affairs, where in one minute you could be drinking Chai tea with the mayor and the next minute you could be having a shoot-out with anti-Iraqi Forces.
"The Civil Affairs team in Samarra has about 30 different projects going on at this time. They range from improving the electrical power grid, water treatment facilities and many others different projects ... too many to list."
Capt. Chris Brawley, Civil Military Affairs Officer
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Civil Affairs, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, known as the Iron Rakkasans, works with the civilian population in numerous ways. One of the most effective ways is to coach the local government on developing their infrastructure through numerous projects.
This Civil Affairs (CA) team monitors projects that are under construction in the city of Samarra. The CA team can make recommendations to the Samarra leadership and to Coalition forces. “The Civil Affairs team in Samarra has about 30 different projects going on at this time,” said Capt. Chris Brawley, Civil Military Affairs Officer, Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 3 /187th Infantry Regiment. “They range from improving the electrical power grid, water treatment facilities and many others different projects ... too many to list.” One of the latest projects important to the locals, as well as the international community, is the Golden Mosque. This religious landmark was severely damaged by anti-Iraqi forces in February. “The U.S. has offered to help the locals rebuild the mosque, but the Samarra government wants to accomplish it on their own,” said 1st Lt. Peter Hegseth, Assistant Civil Affairs Officer. Samarra’s economy was based on tourism, but since anti-Iraqi forces have destroyed many of the tourist sights, the local government has to find other means of revenue, said Staff Sgt. Robert Nevarez, Team Leader, Troop 1461, Tactical Psychological Operations Company assisting the Civil Affairs Team. |