U.S. Army chief of engineers briefed on engineer missions in Iraq.

Photo By Capt. Meghan E. Keefe | Lt. Gen Van Antwerp, chief of engineers and USACE commander, and Lt. Col. Paul Huszar discuss the changing engineer mission in Iraq. The significantly lower threat of Improvised Explosive Devices along primary may mean route clearance packages could serve in other capacities that support the civil capacity mission during the transition of authority from U.S. Forces to Iraq.  

AL BAKIR AIRFIELD, IRAQ

09.23.2009

Story by 1st Lt. Meghan E. Keefe 

37th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne) - Joint Task Force Eagle

AL BAKIR AIRFIELD, Iraq — Chief of Engineers and United States Army Corps of Engineers Commander, Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, visited the 194th Engineer Brigade and the 37th Engineer Battalion - Joint Task Force Eagle, Sept. 23, at Al Bakir Airfield, Iraq.

Lt. Gen. Van Antwerp has commanded U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has been the Army's senior engineer since May 2007. His visit included briefings from commanders Brig. Gen. Robert Harris, 194th Eng. Bde., from Jackson, Tenn., and Lt. Col. Paul Huszar, 37th Eng. Bn. - JTF Eagle, out of Fort Bragg, N.C., on operational and technical issues, and the changing engineer mission in Iraq.

During his brief, Huszar, a Seabring, Fla., native, addressed issues such as route clearance and civil support and capacity development — two primary missions for JTF Eagle.

The improved security environment has impacted the decline in improvised explosive device attacks and emplacement. This makes IED hunting like looking for a needle in a hay stack.

JTF Eagle supports major operational environment owners, including 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, and 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, with route clearance.

"Since June 26, two JTF Eagle route clearance companies have traveled more than 8,000 km. In that time, it has taken a large number of patrols to find a small number of IEDs," said Huszar.

Van Antwerp and Huszar continued discussing the dynamics of the changing IED fight, noting that it is indisputably positive and shows promise for Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi army. However, it may also mean that some U.S. route clearance packages can be used in additional capacities while conducting route clearance.

"Furthermore, while IED attacks have lessened along primary routes, they are still present in cities, villages, and locals, areas where U.S. Forces do not operate as per the Security Agreement between the United States and the government of Iraq, said Huszar.

"We should focus on civil capacity and supporting our Iraqi counterparts during this vital time of transition. Our projects deliver essential services to the population by, with and through our Iraqi partners. This in turn creates opportunities for sustainable employment."

Examples of such projects include the Canal Improvement Campaign — which will refurbish the preexisting canal system in Salah Al Din — and the Baqubah Landfill project — which will address the significant trash issue in the Diyala province, according to the JTF Eagle Civil Capacity Project Manager, Capt. Greg Sabalan, from Clarksville, Tenn.

Van Antwerp ended his visit with a question and answer session with Soldiers. He described the emerging brigade engineer battalion concept, which will fill the engineer gap that Brigade Combat Teams are presently experiencing and touched other on current events in the engineer community.

In his closing remarks, Van Antwerp expounded on the importance of partnership. "This is an amazing and highly capable battalion. It is important that you continue to work with your Iraqi counterparts in engineering so we may set them up for future success".

• Date Taken: 09.23.2009
• Date Posted: 10.05.2009 06:54
• Story ID: 39668
• Location: AL BAKIR AIRFIELD, IQ