Earth Movers Remove Remnants of War (ESSAYONS)

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | 1st Lt. Marvin Nelson, USA

[SandRat]

U.S. 46th Engineer Combat Battalion Soldiers recently worked with their Iraqi partners to remove barriers, concrete walls and fighting positions, allowing for better access in the more stable Baghdad environment. Photo by 1st Lt. Marvin Nelson, 225th Engineer Brigade.

BAGHDAD — One month after U.S. and Iraqi Army Soldiers worked together to complete an eight-day mission in a southeast area of Baghdad, the streets here are now free of old fighting positions and the concrete barriers that dotted the landscape.

“The work that was conducted out here a month ago has definitely improved the living conditions for everyone in this area,” said Capt. Jeremy North, a 2-6 Infantry Task Force engineer. “The local Iraqi people can once again easily access the local businesses and resources and Coalition forces now have increased mobility enhancing their ability to quickly respond to threats in the area. I believe the Iraqis are excited about having their town look like a town again.”

The engineers removed concrete barriers and HESCO bastions, a collapsible wire mesh container and heavy duty fabric liner filled with earth, gravel, or sand used to shield against blasts or small-arms fire. Along with the usual equipment of loaders and 20-ton dump trucks, the engineers also deployed two cranes to move concrete walls, bunkers, and jersey barriers for possible future use elsewhere.

Working under the cover of night, the mission involved Soldiers removing almost 200 jersey barriers, 40 other concrete wall sections and two bunkers. U.S. engineers used two cranes and one five-yard loader to place the walls on tractors and trailers.

“The mission was an all around endeavor by both Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers,” said Staff Sgt. Lawrence R.J. Willeford, who participated in the removal.  “The Iraqi Army assisted us by providing site security across numerous points on the route and the 2-6 Soldiers provided both site security and convoy security.  Together we moved and removed hundreds of walls and barriers to open up parking lots to businesses and access to the elementary school.”

With the strands of concertina wire that once hand-railed the route removed, U.S. and Iraqi troops worked until dawn to remove the countless tons of materials. Willeford hoped that their efforts demonstrated a return to normalcy for local Iraqis.

The work accomplished along the route was an important step for both Coalition and Iraqi forces in signifying that conditions in Iraq have steadily improved. With the overall violence in Baghdad down nearly 70 percent, fighting positions set along the route were no longer necessary.

With the majority of the walls and barriers removed, traffic along the route has improved which supports greater economic activity in the area.

(By 1st Lt. Marvin Nelson, 225th Engineer Brigade)

[SandRat]

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[swmobuffalo]

This is some of the stuff my son helped do while he was there. Not this mission but others like it. And some in areas, come to find out, that weren’t as secure!

[SandRat]

It’s not smart to worry Mom.

[swmobuffalo]

Well, there’s not so much to worry about now that he’s home!

He did right in not letting me know some of the stuff he was seeing at the time!!