'Regulars' assess reconstruction programs in Sadr City

Photo By Sgt. Philip Klein | Lt. Col. Brian Eifler, a native of Farmington Hills, Mich., and the commanding officer of Task Force 1-6 Infantry, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Dwight Dooley, a native of New Iberia, La., the senior enlisted Soldier with Task Force 1-6, take on a group of kids at a foosball table in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, July 2. 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, is based out of Baumholder, Germany, and is currently attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

07.03.2008

Story by Sgt. Philip Klein 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Sgt. Philip Klein
3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, patrolled the Sadr City neighborhoods of Thawra 1 and Thawra 2 to assess reconstruction, security gains and ongoing projects that are revitalizing one of Baghdad's important districts, July 2.

Task Force 1-6, currently attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, along with Iraqi security forces, is tasked with rejuvenating Sadr City, which suffered greatly due to the extremist activities in past months.

Lt. Col. Brian Eifler, commanding officer of Task Force 1-6, which is based out of Baumholder, Germany, said he realizes the importance of the mission in a district that is critical to the general security of Baghdad and Iraq.

"People are happy when they have jobs and feel safe, and that is what we are trying to accomplish with our partners in the government of Iraq and the Iraqi army," said Eifler, a native of Farmington Hills, Mich.

"With the government of Iraq, we are pumping money into the Sadr City community to create jobs, repair damaged infrastructure, and provide security to help get the lives of these people back to normal," he continued.

Eifler expanded on the efforts by singling out projects designed to get basic services in place such as reconstruction, electricity and sanitation.

"People are now feeling secure and have a renewed confidence in the government of Iraq to help out with general repair and cleanup as well as provide security, and we are trying to facilitate the GoI in these endeavors," said Eifler.

Spc. Pedro Gonzalez, native of Manchester, N.H., and a Soldier with the personal security detachment of Task Force 1-6, said he has noticed a big difference in the response from the local citizens.

"We are welcomed in the streets whenever we do a patrol or stop by to visit a local business," said Gonzalez. "The people, and especially the kids, are always glad to see us when we come by. They know that we are trying to help improve their living conditions, and their response is because they are tired of the violence and want to live a normal life."

• Date Taken: 07.03.2008
• Date Posted: 07.03.2008 05:28
• Story ID: 21143
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ