926th Engineer Brigade

Story by 2nd Lt. Janeene Yarber

By 2nd Lt. Janeene Yarber
926th Engineer Brigade

BAGHDAD, Iraq – An exhausted Soldier, tired from a long patrol on the hot streets of Baghdad, sits in a coffee shop on his base and takes in the pleasant surroundings. Afterwards, maybe he'll make a trip to the barber or head to a vendor's shop for local goods.

This isn't a reality - just yet - for the joint security site located near the Sadr City district in Baghdad, but the vertical construction Soldiers of Company A, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), are working hard to make it so. The 46th ECB (H) is assigned to the 926th Engineer Brigade serving with Multi-National Division-Baghdad.

"Our mission is to repair and improve the living accommodations for the Soldiers that work in this area," said 2nd Lt. Michael Cirillo, of Baltimore, Md., Company A., 46th ECB (H) vertical construction officer-in-charge.

Cirillo is the team leader of the engineer crisis response team sent to rebuild the site after an attack on the JSS damaged several life support facilities and which left a mess of rubble and debris that took the engineers a couple days to cleanup. The team used their plumbing, carpentry and electrical skills to quickly make repairs and in many areas, improve the facilities.

On July 18, 2008, Col. John Hort, commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B, along with key leaders from the 46th ECB (H) made a visit to the local JSS in order to plan for future construction of the site.

"Most of the militia in this area were killed, ran away or dispersed. Coalition forces along with the Iraqi army have been flexing their muscles and the enemy is frustrated that they don't have control of this part of town," states Hort. "They are looking for spectacular attacks to undo the work done by the coalition. We can't allow that to happen."

Within five days of the visit the engineers had repaired overhead cover, replaced walls, air conditioner units, repaired lights and upgraded the force protection at the site.

"My team also completed a lot of little projects to make the quality of life better for the soldiers here. We've installed book shelves in the Morale, Welfare & Recreation building, and built shelves, towel holders and benches in the shower trailer," comments Cirillo. Future plans for improving the joint security site include building a gym, a coffee shop, an internet café and a small market for local vendors.

While these facilities seem basic to communities back home, their presence at small forward bases are a tremendous morale booster. By bringing in local merchants, the base helps boost the city's economy, while making this a better place for Soldiers to live.

"If we can make [this site] one of the best joint security sites, then it will be the nail in the coffin of the enemy [in this area]" comments Col. Hort.

And that is one nail the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) looks forward to hammering.

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