Government of Iraq Funds Critical Power Line Repairs

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Staff Sgt. Sean Riley, USA

[SandRat]

FOB HAMMER — Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, working with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity (MoE) representative, surveyed several damaged high-tension power line towers near al Durai’ya, March 17.

The day prior, Lt. Col. Jack Marr, from Minneapolis, commander of 1-15th Inf. Regt., met with Iraqi Army leadership, the MoE, and Sheik Majid, the local Sons of Iraq (SoI) leader, to discuss repair of the towers.

After surveying the site, the MoE agreed the government of Iraq would fund labor for the repairs and security for the laborers would be provided by SoI in the area.

“Sheik Majid agreed to secure the roads with Sons of Iraq while the power lines are being repaired by the Ministry of Electricity,” said Maj. John Cushing, from Rochester, Mich., operations officer for the battalion.

Marr said assisting the al Durai’ya residents will improve relationships between local leaders, citizens and Iraqi security forces. “It is truly great to see Iraqis solving Iraqi problems.”

The 1-15th Inf. Regt., 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

[SandRat]

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[armymarinemom]

I spoke a lot with Sebees returning from their initial tour of Iraq back in 2003-2004. The power grid was one of the biggest surprises as to just how deteriorated the Iraq infrastructure had become. Iraq had been spending most of their money on defense and graft instead of infrastructure. Many cities actually had power lines on the ground instead of in the air or underground.

[SandRat]

That’s very typical of petty despots and their minions behavior.

[Allegra]

The power grid was one of the biggest surprises as to just how deteriorated the Iraq infrastructure had become. Iraq had been spending most of their money on defense and graft instead of infrastructure. Many cities actually had power lines on the ground instead of in the air or underground.

Yes, I noticed within my first couple of months here back in 2004 that the infrastructure was in pretty poor shape, but Saddam's palaces were opulent to the point of being excessive.

The way Baath Party members had lived as opposed to how most others had subsisted was still evident when I arrived.

It angered and disgusted us. One more reason to be grateful that the Evil One and his awful sons are gone.

[armymarinemom]

Amen Allegra. Thanks for everything you do. The legacy Saddams evil seems to fade with the general public. It can’t be said often enough that the world is a better place without him.

[Allegra]

Amen Allegra. Thanks for everything you do.

It's my honor and pleasure.

Iraq doesn't have to be a third-world country. Years of corrupt government has made it that way. Iraq has more natural resources than most of the Middle East, not to mention a rich history in civilization and many highly educated citizens.

This can be the strongest country in the region if the government lets it. We need to get Iran's meddling out of the way and then the potential is endless.

[patton]

Let me add my thanks.

Given that Iraq is the literal cradel of civilization, the mess it is in is tragic.

[ASOC]

Good news at last.

Iraq pulls in $5 BILLION a DAY in oil income.

I gotta - why in the hell are we still paying for *anything* related to infrastructure?