Keeping traffic flowing

Photo By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky | Staff Sergeant Robert Swartz (left) and Sgt. Allen Christopher, both truck commanders with 1st Platoon, Battery B, 1-9th Field Artillery, observe piping on May 21 beneath a bridge being built over a canal between Routes Bismark and Aggies to facilitate traffic.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

05.23.2008

Story by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Kevin Stabinksy
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – With the Yusifiyah pump station up and running, water is flowing into the Maderiyah area, 25 kilometers south of Baghdad, providing water for both drinking and irrigation.

Now, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Soldiers are working to get something else flowing - traffic.

Although drinking water is now available at the Maderiyah water station, traveling to the water treatment pumps is sometimes difficult. To help streamline traffic and ease accessibility, Soldiers of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, are working with Iraqi contractors to help solve the issue.

On May 21, Battery B Soldiers visited resident handyman Nassier Adnin to assess the work he completed. Adnin, who owns several earth-moving equipment pieces, has already accomplished jobs for Coalition forces and said he was glad to take on this new project.

"It's a good job," he said. "I make good money for improving my neighborhood."

Currently, the improvements include building a bridge to link routes Bismark and Aggies, as well as widening these roads and Route Charger.

"It will make things much more accessible," said Sgt. Kyle Nygaard, 1st Platoon sergeant. "It lets the people get water without as much hassle."

Besides bringing water back to the area more easily, it also brings in money and jobs. Adnin said the construction project has allowed him to hire 25 local workers.

"We want money to stay in the area," said 1st Lt. Greg Highstrom, 2nd Platoon leader, and native of Cedarburg, Wis.

Keeping money in the area increases its economy, in turn increasing prosperity and pride in the community.

It is such pride that led Battery B, 1-9th FA Soldiers to work so hard to improve the area they have called home for the last year.

"We're building trust between us and them, helping them out," said Nygaard, a native of Houston.

Projects will continue with help from local Iraqi contractors through the final months of the battery's deployment. Continued projects include school restorations, road improvements and canal restoration; some of which will also be funded by the government of Iraq. Currently, the GoI has approved funds for two area schools and the paving of Routes Bismarck and Chevy.

• Date Taken: 05.23.2008
• Date Posted: 05.23.2008 16:48
• Story ID: 19755
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ