Rutbah Bridge

Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | Bravo Company, 141 Brigade Support Battalion, of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, helped construct the Rutbah Bridge on Main Service Route Mobile. The bridge opened and became fully operational seven months ahead of schedule.  

CAMP ADDER, IRAQ

03.02.2010

Story by Spc. Cory Grogan 

41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team

CAMP ADDER, Iraq — The exceptional efforts and dedication of Bravo Company, 141 Brigade Support Battalion, of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, allowed the Rutbah Bridge on Main Service Route Mobile to open and become fully operational seven months ahead of schedule.

The Rutbah Bridge is a key link between Iraq and Jordan that was originally scheduled open May 2010, said 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Swanby.

The bridge is essential to the convoy security mission for Task Force Atlas of the 41st IBCT.

The bridge was damaged during a terrorist attack and the damage rendered the bridge unusable, requiring convoys to take a more dangerous route, said Swanby. Swanby said the damaged bridge caused significant delays in traffic, to include the flow of oil tankers and humanitarian relief efforts.

The bridge had been in the process of being repaired for over two years. The persistence and dedication from Bravo Company encouraged continuous labor to reestablish a safer route for Soldiers.

The next task was to encourage the bridge be placed in priority status by the inspectors to allow the bridge to be opened for regular use by all, Swanby said.

"Task Force Atlas commander, Lt. Col. Brian James, and Soldiers from B Company, escorted and assisted the Army Corp. of Engineers in conducting several route reconnaissance mission in assessing the stability of the structure," Swanby said.

Swanby said the efforts provided by Bravo Company also included feedback and data to the 41 IBCT through pictures, detailed analytical reports, and meetings with local Iraqi officials.

• Date Taken: 03.02.2010
• Date Posted: 03.02.2010 06:48
• Story ID: 46030
• Location: CAMP ADDER, IQ