U.S. Soldiers, Iraqi Federal Police build obstacle course

Photo By Capt. Marc Allerdt | Maj. Eric Hanes, the 4th Brigade, 1st Federal Police Transition Team assistant chief attached to 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, demonstrates to policemen of the 4-1 FP how to maneuver through the "weaver" obstacle after construction of a new obstacle course April 2 at Joint Security Station Beladiyat.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.02.2010

Story by Capt. Marc Allerdt 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

Story by: Capt. Marc Allerdt

BAGHDAD — Combat engineers from 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division built a 10-station obstacle course together April 2 with policemen from 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Federal Police Division at Joint Security Station Beladiyat.

The 2-14 Soldiers and 4-1 FP worked side by side, digging through the compacted Iraqi soil. The project was repeatedly put on hold due to contract delays and availability of materials.

"Originally, the site was going to be used for a DNA research institute," said Lt. Col. Herbert Charity, the 4-1 Federal Police Transition Team chief and project manager. "The first day we went out there with our plans we noticed six other Iraqi engineers measuring for the DNA research institute."

After two months on hold, the funding for the research institute fell through, and construction on the obstacle course began.

Initially, the project called for an inverted wall with a 20-foot rope climb however, because of high maintenance and an unforgiving climate, the engineers decided to reduce the number of obstacles in the course.

"I wanted to build it with low maintenance," said Staff Sgt. Timothy Plumb, a combat engineer with 2-14. "This way they will be able to use it whenever they want to and not have to worry about rebuilding and purchasing materials."

Once the course was complete, four policemen showed up for instructions on how to properly execute each station and test the course. They all completed the course breathing heavily, with smiles on their faces.

• Date Taken: 04.02.2010
• Date Posted: 04.17.2010 07:52
• Story ID: 48282
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ