TASK FORCE IRONHORSE ENGINEERS HELP IRAQI TOWN

CENTCOM ^ | August 7, 2003

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

August 7, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-15


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


TASK FORCE IRONHORSE ENGINEERS HELP IRAQI TOWN

TIKRIT, Iraq – The lives of Iraqi living in Al Asriya have improved thanks to the efforts of the 5th Engineers of Task Force Ironhorse.

The engineers adopted the poor rural village located approximately 15 kilometers northwest of Baghdad in early July and have completed a variety of projects to enhance living conditions.

After meeting with local leaders and elders, the soldiers brought in heavy equipment to tackle the massive amounts of trash and waste strewn throughout the village. All the debris was moved into impromptu landfills and a burn pit making the Al Asriya a cleaner place and also preventing serious health risks.

After touring three rundown schools, the engineers drew up a contract to begin repairs to the water and electrical systems. Projects are also underway to modernize utilities, since raw sewage currently flows out of homes into shallow trenches lining the roads and courtyards posing a severe health risk to villagers.

The improvements will also provide employment for residents due to the hiring of local contractors to assist with projects. The town of Al Asriya, meaning “model town,” during Saddam’s regime was called Al Faris, translated as “of the family of Saddam.” Village leaders restored the original name and Task Force Ironhorse soldiers helped erect new city signs along the highway into the village.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Please share the news from the DoD with others.

The biggest stumbling block the troops have is not the enemy, the heat, sand, or being away from home - it's the press. They are not able to get the truth out to the American people or to the world.

Our press is failing to inform the people.

The troops need our help.

8 Rumsfeld, Myers Praise Progress in War on Terror [Press lies hurt troops more than missions!]

8 Unapologetically Pro-Coalition News Links 7

[Coop]

Our troops continue to amaze me in horrible weather conditions and even worse media conditions.

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks for posting this.

Freepers need to start sending this information to their local papers and demand to know why they are not printing this information from Iraq!

[USNA74]

But the press will gladly lead the nightly news every night with how many troops were killed that day. /sarcasm off

[underbyte]

I think somebody should write a "good news" book with before and after Afganistan and IRAQ. I think most people like me are hungry for this kind of news, anecdotal stuff, interviews with locals etc. That might give people a better apprec. of our military and President.