Navy Individual Augmentees Help Rebuild Al Anbar Province

Navy NewsStand ^ | Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW) Daniel Sanford

[SandRat]

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (NNS) -- The Army Corps of Engineers (ACoE) has been augmented this summer by some senior enlisted Navy leaders who volunteered as individual augmentees to help rebuild cities within the Al-Anbar Province in western Iraq.

Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handler) (AW/SW) Michael Yule, who three months ago was teaching at the Center for Navy Leadership in Little Creek, Va., has now found himself playing a vital role in the rebuilding of the provincial cities of Al-Asaad, Ramadi and Fallujah.

"Right now, we're rebuilding more than 50 houses in Fallujah," said Yule, a native of Pittsburgh. "We're also repairing roads and coordinating the expansion of office and living spaces on camp, and building billboards that promote the Iraqi army and police."

The ACoE arrived at Camp Fallujah in 2004. Since then, it has helped to coordinate dozens of projects, all aimed at rebuilding the war-damaged country.

"We're building a whole new electrical grid system in Fallujah," said Yule. "We're also giving them indoor plumbing and a sewage system that works."

Yule coordinates projects between Camp Fallujah's ACoE area office, and local and regional companies. Because he's one of only two Sailors attached to this unit, he often finds himself doing more than coordinating.

"I coordinate, but I'm also the manpower," said Yule, an 18-year Navy veteran. "We have a large spectrum of people who are trying to make these projects work, but often I'm the guy who's also out there helping to build these projects."

For a Sailor who has spent the majority of his career around aircraft, it may seem unusual to find him managing the construction of sewage lines in the middle of the desert, however, Yule says it was just a matter of raising his hand.

"I was the command career counselor at the time," he said. "We kept receiving requests for someone to fill this billet and after no one responded, it looked like they were going to pull one of the guys who just arrived at the command with recent months. So I stepped up and said I'd do it."

Like many individual augmentees, Yule is taking six months away from his current shore duty to assist in the U.S. and coalition efforts in the Middle East. While his wife and two children were disappointed in his departure, Yule said they also support his decision.

"It's difficult to be away from them, but they understand what I'm trying to do out here and they support me," he said.

But even with their support, Yule realizes that he's stationed in a very dangerous place.

"At first I was a little apprehensive, but as time rolls on you can see progress," he said. "You see the dedication of the workers and the importance of the job firsthand.

"I love it when the kids run out to see us when we arrive," said Yule with a smile. "The workers come up to us, shake our hands and slap us on the back. You can sense the general feeling toward the U.S. and coalition changing for the better.

"And to be a part of it," said Yule, "you can't beat it."

[SandRat]

This ain't your run-o-the-mill shore assignment.

[magslinger]

Not a beach detachment like any I was on, that's for sure.