Photo By Staff Sgt. Paul Monroe | Pfc. Mark Theriaque, a native of Oshkosh, Wis., stands guard at the Leaders Bridge in...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Paul Monroe
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
BAGHDAD, Iraq –Packed cars, meandering pedestrians and the occasional donkey pulling a cart fill the busy streets of Baghdad daily.
Couple this with roads blocked off by Iraqi security and coalition forces to lessen special groups militants and extremists ability to prey on citizens and you have the makings of a traffic jam in Baghdad.
In Abu Ghuraib leaders from the 24th "Muthana" Brigade decided to close Leaders Bridge more than three years ago to impede the movement of various militant and extremist elements.
Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers with 1st "Top Guns" Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, along with Iraqi army soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 24th "Muthana" Brigade, 6th Iraqi army division, worked together to open the bridge over a three day period ending, June 6.
"This was a great team effort between our battalion, the 168th Brigade Support Battalion, the 24th Brigade, 6th Iraqi army division, and the associated military transition teams," said Maj. Thomas Bolen, a plans officer with 1st Bn., 320th FA Regt.
The 168th BSB linked the Soldiers of Top Guns with flat bed trucks, which were driven by local nationals who helped make light work of hauling the barriers.
The IA soldiers from the Muthana Brigade removed the barriers on Leaders Bridge that blocked traffic and positioned barriers to create two lanes for traffic to move freely; they also set up checkpoints.
Meanwhile, Soldiers from "Top Guns" escorted truck drivers to and from the bridge to ensure their safety. They also provided security for workers and Iraqi army soldiers at the bridge.
"(The Bridge opening) is a pretty big deal now people who live further west can get to the market," said 1st Lt. Andrew Bowling, a native of Medfield, Mass., who serves as a platoon leader for 1st Bn., 320th FA Regt, who added that the bridge opening will dramatically reduce traffic on Abu Ghuraib's heavily congested roads.
Leaders Bridge is a simple structure that is just wide enough for two lanes of traffic. It stretches across Leaders Canal and had been blocked by barriers separating west Abu Ghuraib from east. Abu Ghuraib's eastern side houses a market that thrives on customer's needs and small shopkeeper's ingenuity.
"Since the bridge was blocked, the best way to get to the market was to go through the narrow farm roads" said Bolen.
Bolen added that the bridge opening reinforces the overall revitalization of the market area.
Improved security and micro grants have already begun to bring about resurgence in the market. Easing the mobility of vendors farmers, and customers to the market, should add even more vitality to the improvement efforts.
"Conditions are returning to normal," Said Bolen, who added that residents are beginning to see the Iraqi army does more than roll up bad guys.
At the bridge, residents will see Iraqi army soldiers from Muthana Brigade's 2nd Battalion manning checkpoints on both sides of the bridge. The IA soldiers will be searching random vehicles and keeping traffic moving.
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2008 11:27 |
| Story ID: | 20343 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 308 |
| Downloads: | 257 |
This work, Barrier emplacement opens roads in Abu Ghuraib, by SSG Paul Monroe, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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