Kazakhstani engineer unit heads home: Unit conducts first mission off FOB since 2006

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles | Maj. Shaikh-Khassan Zhazykbayev (left), the 9th Kazakhstani rotation commander, Capt. Aidar Issabekov (middle), the Kazakhstani sapper team commander, and a U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal specialist check an unexploded ordnances for stability near Badrah, Iraq. This was the first off-the-base mission for the Kazakhstani soldiers since late 2006. The Kazakhstani soldiers provide unexploded ordnance disposal support to coalition forces at Forward Operating Base Delta.  

AL KUT, IRAQ

04.06.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles 

Multi-National Division-Central

By Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles
214th Fires Brigade

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – During their six months at FOB Delta, the 9th rotation of Kazakhstani soldiers accomplished what had not been done since late 2006.

They made the first unexploded ordnance disposal mission into Wasit province from March 4 to 11 and destroyed more than 100 pieces of ordnances near Badrah.

"The soldiers were very excited about going out," said Maj. Shaikh-Khassan Zhazykbayev, the 9th rotation commander.

To prepare for the mission, Zhazybayev's soldiers received convoy training from the 511th Military Police Company, from Fort Drum, N.Y., and driver's training from Company C, 26th Brigade Support Battalion, from Fort Stewart, Ga. The training was a refresher for the Kazakhstani soldiers.

"We are proud that the soldiers from Kazakhstan are able to link with U.S. Soldiers to help Iraqi people," said Sgt. Damir Kakokov, a Kazakhstani sapper.

The 9th rotation of Kazakhstani soldiers destroyed 4,551 pieces of unexploded ordnances and trained 74 Iraqi Soldiers in basic engineering skills.

"Every UXO destroyed is stopping an (improvised explosive device) from being used by anti-Iraqi forces in Wasit province," Zhazybayev said. "I feel I am saving somebody's life."

Many of the ordnances the Kazakh platoon destroys date back to the Iran-Iraq war and to 2003, said Maj. Bakhitzhan Zhetpisov, the Kazakhstani liaison officer to the 214th Fires Brigade for the 9th rotation.

Zhazybayev and his soldiers turned over their responsibilities to Maj. Madiar Uvaliov, the commander of the 10th Kazakhstani rotation, and his soldiers April 1.

The new rotation will continue to destroy ordnances on FOB Delta as well as off the compound, said Maj. James Singer, the 214th Fires Brigade operations officer.

• Date Taken: 04.06.2008
• Date Posted: 04.06.2008 21:12
• Story ID: 18139
• Location: AL KUT, IQ