Lynchpin of a region: Najaf's new airport to change the face of holy city

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Burger | An Iraqi policeman stops an incoming vehicle at a entry checkpoint to the Najaf International Airport. The 8th Iraqi army and the Najaf police have been instrumental in securing the Najaf province.  

IRAQ

11.15.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Burger 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Burger II
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ENDEAVOR, Iraq – The Shia holy city of Najaf has been described as the holiest city of Shia Islam. Now, the provincial government hopes to put the city on the map with the completion of the Najaf International Airport.

"The success here in Najaf is impressive," said Lt. Col. Adrian Bogart, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division deputy commander during a visit to the facility on Nov. 3. "From where we were two years ago to now, is not only a testament to the return normalcy for Najaf, but literally, the beginnings of a new future for this great city."

The government feels the airport will bring in religious tourism and grow businesses, which will have a huge economic impact. The airport officially opened July with large fanfare and a visit from Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

"The Najaf Government wants the city to be a genuine tourist destination in five years. They view this airport as the lynchpin of the whole region's economic development," said Evan McCarthy, Iraq provincial action officer for provincial reconstruction team Najaf.

The 4th Inf. Div.'s involvement with the Najaf International Airport project extends back to the provincial government's initial concept in 2006; a plan to transform an abandoned airstrip into a functioning international gateway.

The government chose the old military airfield of the Saddam era because it was the only one in the Southern Iraqi area that could be developed into an airport. Following the fall of Saddam, the people of Najaf wanted their city reconnected to the the Shia people around the world, said McCarthy.

A large contributor to the success of the airport project is the fact that Najaf remains a relatively peaceful province. The 8th Iraqi army and the Najaf police continue to work diligently to keep that peace.

The airport's completion, along with the stabilized province and recent international flights starting at Baghdad's International Airport, provide the right formula for the government and people of Najaf to establish the city as a religious center for Shia people.

"The airport would serve as the centerpiece to reconnect them to the world," McCarthy said.

Both the provincial government and the PRT have great aspirations for the facility.

"Nine months to a year from now, I expect international flights from as far as London, Bangladesh and areas with large Shia populations, to come to Najaf," said Kurt Benson, PRT transportation officer.

The airport is just one of many ongoing efforts of the PRT and Najaf government.

"We are highlighting the economic success of Najaf; not just the airport, but the university as well," said Robin Jallo, the PRT public diplomacy officer.

"If Iraq maintains its current stability, the city of Najaf has a lot to offer the country," said McCarthy.

• Date Taken: 11.15.2008
• Date Posted: 11.15.2008 20:11
• Story ID: 26390
• Location: IQ