Combined effort works to remove tank hulls from Iraqi town

Photo By Staff Sgt. Anthony Jones | Soldiers of the Combat Repair Team, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division use a M88 heavy equipment recovery vehicle to lift a tank hull, preparing to load in onto a heave equipment trailer in the city of Muqdadiyah, Iraq, Sept. 18.  

DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

09.18.2009

Story by Spc. Anthony Jones 

145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

DIYALA, Iraq — "There is no reason why these kids should have to grow up with a tank in their front yard," said 1st Lt. Kenneth Hatcher, pointing to a group of children watching U.S. Soldiers preparing to lift the massive hull of an abandoned tank in the street that runs in front of the children's homes in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, Sept. 18.

Hatcher, a logistical and support team leader with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, is talking about the first of three tank hulls to be removed from the street by U.S. Soldiers in a combined operation with Iraqi security forces.

Soldiers of 2nd Bn., 3rd Inf. Regt. Combat Repair Team, using an M-88 heavy equipment recovery vehicle, operated in a narrow street between houses to load the tank hull onto a heavy equipment trailer provided by the Kellogg, Brown and Root contract company.

The process to remove the tank hulls began when the 2nd Bn., 3rd Inf. Reg. arrived in Diyala province in mid-September and began working with local leaders.

"During our reconnaissance of this area, the mayor and I identified the three relic tanks. They were previously placed here to block al-Qaeda from coming into this area," said Lt. Col. Adam Rocke, commander, 2nd Bn, 3rd Inf. Regt. "They are destroyed, they're in front of people's homes, and they are blocking the roads and are remnants of the past."

Sitting beside Rocke and watching the first tank being lifted off the ground, Zaid Ibraham Hassam, the mayor of Muqdadiyah said, "These tanks are a reminder of when al-Qaeda was here, and by removing them, we are opening a new page."

During the work, safety of the local citizens was paramount. Hassam arranged for Iraqi Policemen to secure the site. The IP's set up checkpoints along the street to restrict access and redirect foot traffic to ensure residents did not enter the worksite.

One resident, Muhammad Hamza, watched the work from his home. Hamza has been living in the same house for nine years and remembers when the tanks where placed on his doorstep.

"All the citizens of the area are really happy and satisfied with the removal of the tanks. The joint effort is good and will benefit the citizens. In order for us to win we must be united," said Hamza.

Two of the three hulls were removed by Sept. 22, and plans to remove the third are in the works. Work has been halted due to the end of the Ramadan holiday.

"This is a 'good news' story for the people of Iraq. This shows a willingness of progress, of cooperation and support of U.S. Forces and for the people," said Rocke. "No longer are we putting up T-walls; instead, we are breaking down barriers and removing tanks in order for the local populous to see a better way of life."

• Date Taken: 09.18.2009
• Date Posted: 10.08.2009 08:00
• Story ID: 39822
• Location: DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ