U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team

Story by Senior Airman Alyssa Miles

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Military contracting officials deployed to Baghdad work to rebuild the economy in Iraq by hiring local contractors to build and remodel facilities throughout the International Zone.

Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors have been hands on with several structure projects, including the construction of an Iraqi school for boys, an Army finance office and a security compound.

Air Force Master Sgt. Tommy Robinson is the joint area support group department of public works Team 2 non-commissioned officer in charge. He is responsible for ensuring structures are built according to code and safe for habitation. So far Robinson, who is deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., has overseen more than four projects.

The construction process begins with direction from leadership for the construction or renovation of a facility. Next, contracting companies are invited out to view the area during a site survey.

The companies submit bids outlining the estimated cost and time it will take to complete the project. After all bids are in, the most desirable candidate receives a notice to proceed with construction. At the moment, JASG's Team 2 is overseeing the renovation of a building that will serve as the U.S. Forces - Iraq headquarters. The project is set to cost $5 million and more than 200 Iraqis have been hired to complete the task.

In addition to constructing the building, the contractors are responsible for running power and electric throughout the structure, an area which is the Navy's specialty, according to Robinson.

"On a daily basis I come out and check what's going on with the electric side of the construction," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jack Frierson, deployed with the Army's 32nd Brigade out of Wisconsin and a native of Kingstree, S.C. "We have a different way of viewing things, but I still feel like we're accomplishing a lot every day. Things that were hazardous and unsafe are getting repaired. It's a little different from being on a ship, but you can get acclimated pretty fast."

Robinson, a native of Graceville, Fla., says he hopes the work the Iraqis are doing on behalf of the U.S. Forces will benefit the host nation long after the Americans redeploy.

"We're reconstructing things they can use for a long period to come and I'm hoping what I'm doing here will help the economy for a long time," he said.

Working in a joint service environment has increased the tempo on projects as more office space became necessary to house servicemembers. While this may result in more work for him, Robinson is glad to work with and gain insight into his sister services.

"It brings us closer together, so we understand what each other does," he said. "We always work one team, one fight. When we get together and come together as a team, we focus on one thing – getting the mission accomplished – and we do that well together."

His Navy counterpart agrees.

"We both do this on a daily basis in our normal career," said Frierson, who is deployed from Norfolk Naval Air Station, Va. "What one person doesn't know, the other one knows and is there to fill in the blanks. It makes the whole operation run a whole lot smoother."

Robinson feels the contractor's can do attitude will ensure that the structures and Iraqi economy will once again be built on a strong foundation.

"They like doing a good job and they want to do a good job," Robinson said. "Being able to work with them and communicate with them and see where they've been and where they're going is great. I think I had a big part of that -- helping them build their economy and putting them to work."

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