225th Engineer Brigade

Story by Lt. Col. Pat Simon

BAGHDAD, Iraq – What started out as a gift delivery for the months of mutual support and admiration, turned to a promise for continued support.

During a visit to the Iraqi Engineer School, Oct 12, Brig. Gen. Owen Monconduit, commander of the 225th Engineer Brigade, assured his Iraqi counterpart of that U.S. engineer assistance would continue.

The Louisiana-based engineers are just weeks away from completing their mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Monconduit of New Orleans, La., showed his gratitude to Col. Falah, Taji Engineer School commandant, for his leadership in turning out some highly trained Iraqi engineers that are securing the cities of Baghdad and will help rebuild the country.

"Colonel Falah is an outstanding leader who shapes and influences the Soldiers and he gives them their capabilities," said Monconduit. "The purpose of the mission is to assure the Iraqi leaders that partnership will continue under a new command of the 16th Engineer Brigade when the 225th departs."

"It's always important for engineer commanders to visit here and check on the Soldiers training," Falah told Monconduit during the hour long meeting. "It is very important for me to meet other commanders who come to my school to discuss any issues we have face to face."

One commander, Lt. Col. Hatem, commander of the 11th Iraqi Engineer Regiment, traveled with Monconduit to visit the school. Hatem's unit leads the way in getting engineer equipment and training Soldiers on that equipment.

"We graduate many students who are leaders in Iraqi army. They are very capable engineers," praised Hatem. "They have a special feeling for this school."

Since the 225th Eng. Bde. arrived in Baghdad last January, dozens of classes were held at the Taji school. The U.S. engineers helped train hundreds of Iraqi soldiers on engineer skills ranging from route clearance of improvised explosive devices to general engineering like electrical and plumbing.

"We have a solid partnership with you," Monconduit assured Falah. "The partnership will continue."

"I want to thank you for paying extra attention to us. And I am very sure you know in your heart you will know that you are special to us," said Falah.

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