MNC-I Commander visits 3rd Heavy BCT, takes tour

Photo By Master Sgt. Sheryl Lawry | A photo of part of the Khatoon Water Compact Unit. The unit supplies clean water to more than 35,000 people living in the Khatoon area.  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

03.10.2006

Courtesy Story

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BAQUBAH, Iraq (March 5, 2006) Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the commander of Multinational Corps in Iraq, spent the day with the command group of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers and toured two of the Brigade's areas of responsibility, as well as paid two visits " one with the Diyala Provincial Governor, Raad Rashid Mulla Juwad Al-Timimi and the other with 5th Iraqi army Division Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Alawwad.

Upon Chiarelli's arrival, he was given a comprehensive brief that covered all lines of operations for our Brigade, explained Maj. Thomas Baccardi, S-3 operations officer in charge for 3rd HBCT, 4ID, Task Force Band of Brothers. The brief laid-out how the Brigade's plans of actions would generate wide-ranging effects within each individual operation.

The brief, which covered everything from security to ongoing reconstruction projects to the Iraqi army and police, was said by one to be one of the better, more informative briefs he had observed. "He (Col. Brian Jones, commander 3rd HBCT, 4ID) did a great job. He covered everything he's responsible for, not just one or two," said Col. Ken Cox, a member of Chiarelli's special staff.

Following the hour and a half long brief, the visiting party was taken to the Khatoon Water Compact Unit and the Al-Abarra Electric sub-station where Chiarelli was explained the issues and challenges of each facility - both facilities were in great need of refurbishment and oversight.

"The issue is not constructing these projects. The two main challenges are getting the Iraqis to take ownership of them and maintain them. And 'the other is to make sure these projects actually benefit the end user - the average Iraqi," explained said Maj. Bret Martin, the provincial support team engineer and the Gulf Regions Division representative to the brigade for on behalf of Diyala. The Gulf Regions Division falls under the responsibility of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Adding to Martin's comments was Lt. Col. Leonard Wells, the commander of 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd HBCT, 4ID, Task Force Band of Brothers who explain that the low number of qualified technical engineers available to assess developing projects and then provide continued monitoring once projects were complete, was another significant obstacle. "We, coalition forces, do not have enough technical engineers to go around."

"Both of these projects are vital in providing basic services to the city of Baqubah," said Martin.
"The Compact Water Unit is needed to supplement the inadequate water supply and pressure to Khatoon - roughly 35,000 people. Al Abarra sub-station supplies power to northeastern portion of Baquba up north to the town of Al Abarra - roughly 60,000 people"

Upon listening to Martin, Wells and others explain the situation of both facilities, Chiarelli provided an idea that could help to improve their status, as well as help some college students along the way.

"Chiarelli recommended using Iraqi engineering students from local universities to assist in project assessments. These young engineers would enable us to assess hundreds of projects we might not otherwise have time to visit," Wells explained. "He also recommended incorporating maintenance and service contracts into project agreements to ensure completed projects are maintained to continue providing essential services to province citizens from years to come"

Keeping a tight schedule, Jones and Chiarelli then met with Diyala Province Governor, Gov. Raad Rashid Mulla Juwad Al-Timimi, where Chiarelli focused on listening to the governor needs.

Chiarelli's father raised him with the principle that when you're talking, you're not listing, so he was there to listen to and assess the governor's key problems and see how coalition forces could help, said Jones.

After his meeting with the governor ended, the last stop of the day was to meet with Maj. Gen. Alawwad at Forward Operation Base Gabe. There Alawwad briefed Chiarelli of the status of his force and what they needed to continue to grow and gain more strength as an independent force.

Again, Chiarelli listened, took notes and offered support.

• Date Taken: 03.10.2006
• Date Posted: 03.10.2006 17:31
• Story ID: 5669
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ