Iraqi Soldiers get new barracks

Courtesy Photo | BAGHDAD, Iraq-Pfc. Timothy J. Russo makes the cut here July 14. Russo, of Newport Richey, Fla., serves with B Company, 92nd Engineer Battalion. More than a platoon of B Company Soldiers are currently turning a parking garage into a barracks for Iraqi Army soldiers.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.15.2005

Courtesy Story

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Sgt. Andrew A. Miller

Task Force Baghdad PAO



BAGHDAD -- With the smell of sawdust hanging heavy in the air, the Soldiers cut and hammer away at their latest project " turning a parking garage into a barracks. This complicated project and others like it are critical to the ongoing shift of responsibility from U.S. to Iraqi units.

The newly-converted barracks will soon be a home for Soldiers of the Iraqi Army.

"Anything we can do to get (Iraqi Security Forces) set so they can take on the responsibilities for their mission helps," said Lt. Col. Keith Landry, 92nd Eng. Bn. commander, who was visiting his Soldiers and the work site July 14.

This is not the first project the 92nd Engineers have tackled in support of the Iraqi Security Forces. It is, however, significant.

"This is probably the largest single project that we've worked on," said Landry.

The former garage will be divided into 20 large rooms, with a total capacity of more than 800 Soldiers, he added.

Sgt. 1st Class Sheila Stewart of B Co., the noncommissioned officer in charge of the site, says her engineers are more than up to the task. The Soldiers began June 21 and plan to complete the transformation in just over a month, Stewart said.

To accomplish their mission, the engineers are building walls, running wires, and fixing an existing drainage system. The carpenters, electricians and plumbers of the crew each face unique challenges with this project.

Spc. Michael A. Hasselbrick, an electrician with B Co., said Iraqi wiring is a little different than in the U.S.

"In the states, cables are labeled," said Hasselbrick. "Not here," he added with a smile.

But Hasselbrick is lucky, he said, because his supervisor, Staff Sgt. Martin Clark, has experience with electrical work here from a previous tour of duty. Accordingly, he was able to watch and learn.

Several Soldiers at the site said they value these kinds of challenges.

"It's a good experience," said Hasselbrick, "You learn a lot when there are so many obstacles to overcome."

Supplying this massive project has been a challenge, although that job is now nearly complete.

"We've sent out several (large cargo trucks) and trailer-loads full of wood," Landry said, "and right now we're just waiting on the air conditioner units to finish the project up."

The Soldiers working on the project seem to be enjoying themselves as they work, despite the cruel heat. With all the sights, sounds and smells of a construction site in the U.S., it might be easy to concentrate on work and forget where the site lies on the map. As all the work adds up, an old parking garage begins to look like a military barracks.

Whether they are building for their fellow U.S. service members or for their Iraqi allies, Landry said, the 92nd Engineers love to get out and do the job.

"We're doing a lot of good things here," he said, looking proud.

• Date Taken: 08.15.2005
• Date Posted: 08.15.2005 13:35
• Story ID: 2714
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ