Courtesy Photo | First Lt. Tim Shives, left, the dispersing officer for Combat Logistics Battalion 6,...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Lukas Atwell
3rd Marine Air Wing Public Affairs
AL ANBAR, Iraq – Across al-Anbar province, local workers help restore schoolhouses, neighborhood clinics treat patients, and a massive water pump pushes running water into thousands of Iraqi homes. These are all victories in the battle for the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, a battle where money is a weapon.
"Where money was just a force enabler in conventional warfare, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, it's a potent arm in the commander's arsenal much like a rifle or an artillery round is to the soldier in the kinetic fight," said Col. Thomas Horlander, the comptroller for Multi-National Corps – Iraq.
On the front lines of this fight are the Marines of the civil affairs group, small teams responsible for lending assistance to an area and helping the local government improve the lives of its citizens.
"There are a lot of aspects to our mission as a CAG," said 2nd Lt. Ryan Nilsen, the officer-in-charge of CAG, Detachment 1, Team 1. "We monitor local governance, economics, reconstruction projects, and pay condolences to people whose property was damaged by Coalition Forces. None of which would be possible without funds from the (Commander's Emergency Response Program)."
The purpose of CERP funds is to enable commanders to lend urgent humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the Iraqi populace, according to Horlander.
The CERP resources are limited and each dollar must be accounted for, requiring a system of checks and balances to ensure that funds achieve their maximum potential.
"Once the CAG decides to take on a project, they request the funding from the comptroller, who is like a military financial manager," said 1st Lt. Tim Shives, the dispersing officer for Combat Logistics Battalion 6. "When the comptroller approves, I head out to deliver the money and support."
With an area of responsibility that includes six forward operating bases, CLB-6 dispersing must travel often, but there are benefits that come with the time on the road.
"My trips around my AOR give me a chance to see and better understand the mission of the CAG and to get 'eyes on' the projects they are involved in," added Shives, a Monroe, Ga., native, who often accompanies the CAG when the team visits completed projects and work sites.
The team often visits the finished reconstruction projects as well as the current ones in order make sure that funds are being used appropriately and that nothing has fallen into disrepair.
"Keeping up on contract fulfillment is important," Nilsen explained. "Security against al-Qaeda and foreign fighters in the Haditha Triad is great, but what stops the average citizen from becoming a threat are these projects. That is why we take on contracts that will help build credibility between the Iraqi government and the people and why we make sure they are done right."
From the local to the regional level, Shives believes the combined effort of the CAG teams and CLB-6 dispersing is paying off throughout his AOR. It's a change especially felt by the Iraqi citizens.
"A year and a half ago, I was afraid to do business and had to move away from my home," said Achmad Nasir, the head of the Haditha business association. "Now, more and more businesses are coming back to Haditha and bringing work to the community. I feel secure in my home and my city."
"I think working with the CAGs is the best part of what I do," said Cpl. Eric McClure, a pay agent with CLB-6 dispersing. "I feel like I help these projects reach fruition, which will lead to a successful end for us and the Iraqi people."
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.03.2008 16:08 |
| Story ID: | 20075 |
| Location: | AL ANBAR PROVINCE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 56 |
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