Engineers construct 3rd BCT headquarters at FOB War Eagle

Photo By Joseph Rivera Rebolledo | Spc. Tybalt Bui, a native of Coon Rapids, Minn., cuts a piece of wood with an electric saw while helping to build a new headquarters building for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Forward Operating Base War Eagle. Bui is a scout with the 851st Vertical Engineer Company, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.05.2008

Story by Spc. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Spc. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD – Soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard's 851st Vertical Engineer Company, attached to Multi-National Division – Baghdad, are constructing a three-story structure that will soon become the headquarters building for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Forward Operating Base War Eagle in northern Baghdad.

"The structure consists of more than 10,000 square feet of construction, what would be considered in the United States as a commercial site," said Spc. Michael Passeretti, a native of Saint Paul, Minn., who serves as a carpenter and non-commissioned officer in charge of the project with the 851st VEC.

Thus far, the crew has torn down and rebuilt most of the internal structure – in little more than 2.5 weeks, he said.

Passeretti, who has more than 20-years of experience in the field as a civilian general contractor, along with his team, was given the responsibility to deliver this project before, April 10.

The project is "a high profile mission," said 1st LT. Josh Savage, a native of Saint Paul, Minn., who serves as a platoon leader for the 851st VEC.

"This is the first three-story building we have ever built," Savage said.

On the economy, a construction of this kind would cost an estimated $600,000 to $1 million in the United States, Passeretti said, adding that most of the Soldiers of the 851st VEC working on the project have military occupational skills other than vertical engineers.

The project, he said, has provided him the opportunity to teach the Soldiers how to use the tools and deal with the measurements. Even though the Soldiers may not have the school-trained skills for working on this type of a project, the team is running ahead of schedule and is projected to be meet its, April 10, target date.

"We are fortunate to have the leadership we have," said Passeretti. "They allow me to do my job based on my 20 years of experience."

The Soldiers have managed to keep up with the pace and demands of the given jobs while down-range, as evidenced by the fact they have constructed more than 100,000-square feet of floor in little less than the six months they have had "boots on ground," he added

"I'm highly impressed," said Savage. "I feel like a coach – coaching a pro team."

For the Soldiers of the 851st VEC, the construction of the brigade headquarters is merely one of numerous projects the team will face together. Next up for them will be building a Morale, Welfare and Recreation facility at War Eagle, which, of course, will be followed by various other missions throughout Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

• Date Taken: 04.05.2008
• Date Posted: 04.08.2008 12:59
• Story ID: 18193
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ