Defense representative visits chemical plant south of Baghdad

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Marcus Butler | 1st Lt. Colby J. Umbrell, a native from Doglestown, Pennsivaia and 2nd Platoon Leader for Company Deleware, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment satnds at the top of the stairs of the chemical processing plant to get a better view of the operation duirng a tour of the facilites.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

12.17.2006

Courtesy Story

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Marcus Butler
4th BCT (Airborne), 25th Inf. Div. Public Affairs

FORWARD OPEATING BASE ISKAN, Iraq – Paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division conducted an escort mission Dec. 17 to a chemical plant in Musayyib, a town south of Baghdad.

Company D, 1-501st PIR was tasked to provide security and transportation for Gerry Brown, a representative from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, along with a chemical engineer and logistical specialist.

"Our primary mission today was to secure the factory site to allow the meeting between the plant managers and the representative from the Office of the Secretary of Defense," said 1st Lt. Colby J. Umbrell, 2nd platoon leader for Company D. Receiving this mission one week prior, Company D knew the importance of it and planned accordingly.

"This was a pretty high-profile mission for us," said Umbrell.

The mission, led by Umbrell, rolled out of the gates here in hopes of beginning the rebuilding process for the people of Musaayib.

"We are meeting with different Iraqi companies in order to find out ways in which we can help the Iraqis help themselves," said Brown. "We believe that by providing more jobs and better income, the security situation for the Iraqi people, as well as coalition forces, would greatly improve."

Once the convoy arrived at the chemical plant, the three plant managers and the district manager all sat down with Brown and discussed ways to improve the efficiency of the plants and provide more incentives for the work force.

After the meeting, Saeed Wihad, one of the plant managers gave a tour of facilities. He explained the different products being produced and areas that need the most help.

There were three different plants at this facility, which included a chemical, a starch and a plastic factory.

During the tour, Wihad pointed out lack of raw materials, non-working equipment due to a lack of replacement parts and out-of-date machinery that was still being utilized.

Since the Paratroopers of Company D are working in Musayyib on almost a daily basis, they are familiar with the needs and problems in the town.

"Musayyib is a pretty stable town. One of the biggest problems here is the poor economic standards for the town," said Umbrell. "I think that helping the Iraqis in this manner is right on target for our goal of making a more secure Iraq."

• Date Taken: 12.17.2006
• Date Posted: 12.27.2006 10:13
• Story ID: 8679
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ