GoI gets involved in Arab Jabour

Photo By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky | An Iraqi family offers Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, refreshments during a visit, March 25.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

03.30.2008

Story by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infanty Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Coalition forces have laid the groundwork in Arab Jabour, making the area safer and starting new projects to help neighborhoods return to normal.

With the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment in the last quarter of its deployment, the government of Iraq is stepping in to claim the area.

"They've done some work renovating schools and sent in a team to do work," said Capt. Joseph Inge, commander of Company D, 1-30th Inf. Regt., 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. "Teachers are being paid by the government rather than us. It's a huge plus when they take ownership."

The GoI will take the lead in more electricity, water and veterinary projects, said Inge, a native of Richmond, Va. "We've made contact with the ministries of electricity and water. Little by little, word is getting out."

In the field of healthcare, the GoI has sponsored the Nassir clinic. Besides performing the work to restore the clinic, the doctors and staff now work for Iraq, rather than coalition forces.

Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, executive officer 1st Lt. Brent McCorkle said the ministry of agriculture has expressed interest in a vet clinic for the area and a civil affairs detachment assigned to the 1-30th Inf. Regt. is working with the MoA to get the project started.

All of these initiatives would have never been possible without the initial improvements in security.
Before security, schools weren't open, teachers were scared to go to work and families were afraid to leave their homes, said McCorkle, a native of Greenville, S.C. Now, families move around freely, interacting with Soldiers daily.

These Soldiers will be trading places with the Iraqi army soon. Plans are underway to have the IA housed at Patrol Base Red in the upcoming month.

The goal is to bring an Iraqi police battalion into the area as well, with some officers coming from local Sons of Iraq groups. An IP recruitment drive was held in Arab Jabour, March 10-13. For SoI not hired, the battalion is working to create jobs.

Everyday, 1-30th Inf. Regt. Soldiers and Iraqi people are working on ways to make the future brighter for future generations.

Coalition forces envision area agricultural workers will come directly from the SoI as the program begins to transition. Others are participating in vocational training to learn skills for the future such as widening water canals and fixing water pumps.

"We've been able to remove al-Qaida and make the area safe," Inge said. "We can hand over a safe and secure environment and they can build upon the improvements already made."

Although the handoff may be bittersweet for some of the Soldiers and residents who have built strong friendships with each other, McCorkle said both parties realize the importance of letting the government step in, assume responsibility, and prove to the people that the GoI has their best interests at heart.

"The locals definitely say they will miss us, but they know this is where we need to be," he said.

• Date Taken: 03.30.2008
• Date Posted: 04.02.2008 16:08
• Story ID: 18002
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ