Paratroopers Build Combined Operations Center in Iraq

Photo By Capt. Meghan E. Keefe | Sgt. 1st Class Brain Money talks with a first lieutenant from the 5th IA Div. before the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Combined Operations and Information Center built by Money's vertical construction platoon and Soldiers from the 5th Iraqi Army Field Engineer Regiment.  

DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

01.20.2010

Courtesy Story

37th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne) - Joint Task Force Eagle

By Sgt. 1st Class Money, Brian A.

DIYALA PROVINCE, Iraq — A combined partnership construction mission between Iraqi and U.S. Army Engineers resulted in the completion of a new Combined Tactical Operations and Information Center in Diyala province, Iraq, which opened its doors, Jan 20.

According to the commander of the 37th Engineer Battalion — Joint Task Force Eagle, out of Fort Bragg, N.C., Lt. Col. Paul Huszar, this joint construction mission executed by the 52-Soldier vertical construction platoon and their counterparts from the 5th Iraqi Army Field Engineer Regiment, was significant for two reasons. The combined operations center is the first of its kind to be solely constructed from concrete masonry blocks. It was designed to serve as the nucleus for the upcoming elections to be monitored by the 5th IA Div., demonstrates the growing capacity of Iraq.

1st Lt. Courtenay Cullen, a New York City, native and vertical construction platoon leader said that the month long project provided the engineers of JTF Eagle and the 5th IA FER an opportunity to cross-train on carpentry and masonry skills during construction of the 30-by-70 foot concrete masonry block building which serves as the primary location where the 5th IA Division will hold intelligence and operations meetings in the Diyala province.

"While construction continued to progress, so did the relationships of the Iraqi soldiers and the U.S. Paratroopers," said Cullen.

Cullen goes on to say that, on a daily basis the Soldiers of both nations shared lunch together, drank chi tea, and told each other stories of the things that they missed most of home. The biggest impact the partnership project had on all the JTF Eagle Soldiers was the ability to convey to the Iraqi soldiers a structurally sound standard for concrete construction, since there is not one within the Iraqi engineer regiment. This presented a great opportunity for the Soldiers to work together on the technical aspect of construction by using tools and techniques that serve in a critical aspect of structural integrity.

Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, of Fayetteville, N.C., and company commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, said that "in the United States Army, construction project management is used by platoon leadership in order to manage time and resources, while the project is inspected by the unit construction inspector.

"The Iraqi army however, does not currently have vertical construction engineers that serve in a similar capacity for quality control and quality assurance purposes. This became an opportunity for JTF Eagle engineers demonstrate their skills and teach their counterparts", said Bowman.

"It was a great experience working beside the Iraqi soldiers. I feel that, with what I have thought them, they can utilize these skills to make Iraq a better place," said Cpl. William Mesing, a senior electrician assigned to the JTF Eagle from Fayetteville, N.C.

By the end of the mission, the Iraqi soldiers learned how to effectively use all basic masonry, carpentry, and electrical tools. Those with prior construction experience, said Mesing, enhanced their understanding of concrete walls, wooden trusses, knowledge of the corrugated steel roof, and how to establish a solid foundation of standards for future construction projects that they take on independently.

"Once the Iraqi soldiers understood the construction techniques and methods they assisted in the remaining work with outstanding results," said Mesing, and both units were commended by Brig. Gen. Cox, United States Forces - Iraq.

"The efforts of the Soldiers of the 5th IA FER and the vertical construction platoon resulted in, not only the completion of a tactical operations center for our Iraqi counterparts, but also a partnership that forged yet another superior relationship between the two great nations," said Lt. Col. Paul Huszar, commander of the 37th Eng. Bn.- JTF Eagle from Fayetteville.

• Date Taken: 01.20.2010
• Date Posted: 01.26.2010 03:38
• Story ID: 44438
• Location: DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ