Multi-National Division-South

Story by Sgt. Joe Roos

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians on Contingency Operating Base Basra have noticed when improvements to the COB seem to lurch forward and they've also noticed when those same improvements seem to hang in a state of proverbial limbo. As of recent weeks, the speed at which the Rapid Engineer Deployment, Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineering Airman have erected the buildings for the Sandstorm and Viking living areas has been something to marvel at.

But even though the buildings will be completed in a matter of days, service members on the COB may find themselves waiting in a familiar position with their arms folded, anxiously tapping their toes. That's because the buildings themselves won't be the issue, but rather the electrical power in those buildings.

The LSAs opening dates have been pushed back because of a shortage of available electrical parts, said Col. Ronald Albrecht, deputy chief of staff, Multi-National Division - South. According to Albrecht, the Camp Adder Class 4 yard, where the building and electrical materials come from, has been stripped because of all the different projects going on in MND - S. "We have the lumber," he said, "but we're short on electrical parts."

The complete, honest-to-goodness, no baloney completion date of the Sandstorm and Viking living areas, assured Albrecht, is Nov. 1. "And that's giving being safe," said Albrecht. "They will be done no later than one November."

After the living areas are built, the Division Special Troops Battalion will be in charge of getting people moved in there.

"I build 'em; they fill 'em," said Albrecht.

It's no secret to Albrecht that service members on base are a little antsy when it comes to being able to move into a living area. Whenever he gets questions from the troops, it's always the first thing they want to know. It's also no mystery to him how these building projects have fallen behind.

In the civilian world, Albrecht spent many years with Peterson Contractors, a heavy equipment construction company based in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

"It's like building a house," said Albrecht. "We found out a little while back that we couldn't get the right loan from the banker we went to the first time. Now we found out that the electrical company in town is short on supplies."

Nonetheless, Albrecht assured that the shortcomings we've run into in the past are no reason to stop us from focusing on the priorities for the future.

"Key is to get people out of tents here. Key is to get people out of three-man [containerized-housing units]."

For the most part, Albrecht's concern is improving the living conditions for everyone on the COB. But also, there are improvements for the COB itself to look forward to. The new (Army & Air Force Exchange Service) is expected to have a soft opening, Sept. 20, with its grand opening slated for, Sept. 26.

The focus ever remains on the living conditions – where we lay our heads when we rest – for the men and women on this COB.

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