Engineers keep Soldiers safe - MND-B Soldiers upgrade electrical hot spots, safely bring power to remote areas

Photo By 1st Lt. Janeene Yarber | Warrant Officer Anthony Jellison, Headquarters and Support Company, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion and a native of Phenix City, Ala., makes final adjustments to the electrical distribution panel of a new supply building prior to Soldiers moving in, Oct. 6, 2008.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.21.2008

Story by 2nd Lt. Janeene Yarber 

926th Engineer Brigade

By 2nd Lt. Janeene Yarber and 1st Lt. Sam Jefferson
926th Engineer Brigade

BAGHDAD, Iraq – It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. And, that someone is Army Warrant Officer Anthony Jellison.

Jellison, an 11-year active duty service member who serves as a utilities operation and maintenance technician, along with his small electrical team from the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion, makes potentially hazardous electrical situations disappear weekly for hundreds of Soldiers in the Baghdad area.

"The electrical situation here is poor due to the heat and the substandard materials used," noted Jellison, a Phenix City, Ala., native. "My quality assurance/quality control team ensures the vital job of properly wiring electrical power is completed to reduce serious injuries to Soldiers."

Sgt. Richard Dusenberry, an electrician with the 46th ECB commented on why rewiring the ancient "spaghetti" is so difficult and time consuming. The term spaghetti describes the different colored wires that are twisted together like a plate of colorful pasta.

"It would be so much easier to run brand new wires than to fix what someone else has done," stated Sgt. Richard Dusenberry, a native of Orion, Ill., and an electrician with Company A.

Since arriving in Iraq in early June, Jellison has spent just nine straight days at the main camp; the rest of the time he and his team are out covering as much ground as they can to correct the electrical systems emplaced before set standards were enforced.

"Soldiers out on patrol all day shouldn't have to walk into their rooms and worry about dealing with electrical hazards," declared Jellison. "My main focus is to ensure Soldiers have safe living conditions."

The team worked a few shocking missions and quickly realized there wasn't a set standard for electrical power before the team of Army electricians showed up.

"The electrical setup at some locations caused blowouts, minor electrical shocks and even fires," commented Sgt. James Dill, an electrician with the 46th ECB and a native of Dallas. "We have been really busy rewiring buildings to make them much safer for Soldiers."

After making an electrical assessment at one Joint Security Site, Sgt. 1st Class Steven Martin, a Company B, 46th ECB Plt. Sgt. from El Paso, Texas, commented on the dangerous situation.

"The wiring here is some of the worst that we have seen," stated Martin. "Panel boxes and buildings were not grounded which could lead to possible electrical injuries."

The Company B engineers had to quickly place more than 2,000 feet of wire, install 35 grounding rods; and make upgrades by installing receptacles, lights, and air conditioning units to improve the electrical situation of the security site and two others.

"It is very important to have grounding wire," states Sgt. Carlene Davis, a native of Manhattan, N.Y., and a Company B, 46th ECB (H) electrician. "The grounding wire would protect individuals in case of a power surge. The electricity would go through the ground instead of something else, like a person. For some reason, there weren't any grounding wires or rods placed."

The team is proud of all the work they accomplish at all their locations; however, there is always one mission that will stick out in the team's minds.

At a combat outpost in Baghdad, Soldiers shared electrical outlets and were living with electrical hazards for six months. The team witnessed a few fires caused by the improper electrical setup and lights blowing out; before they began their critical work.

"We went in and rewired the whole building; we put two outlets per Soldier in each room, installed lights in the rooms and the hallways," stated Davis. "We also fixed their air conditioners and really turned that place around. That, so far, is my biggest accomplishment out here."

After the team made the electrical upgrades the Soldiers living on the post showed them their thanks by offering gifts to the team. After a response like that, many would think the team did an extraordinary job at that particular site – but it's just part of the job for the electrical team.

Now that an electrical standard has been established, the electricians of the 46th ECB are set on exceeding it. They work tirelessly each week to make sure Soldiers stay safe and electrical dangers are made history. They also want to improve the living situations for Soldiers by providing power in remote areas.

"It's such a big morale booster for Soldiers to walk into a room, flip a switch and see the power come on," declared Jellison. "My team makes sure that power is installed correctly, so no one gets hurt. It's a lot of work, but I love my job."

• Date Taken: 10.21.2008
• Date Posted: 10.21.2008 08:56
• Story ID: 25312
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ