Coalition helps Iraqi citizens clean canals for more prosperous farmland

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from the 1/10th Mountain Division's 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, recently began a mission with Iraqi citizens intended to clean a canal in Abu Ghraib to help the local farmland. The residents of the 3-6 FA's area of operations, AO Centaur in southern Abu Ghraib, will now have better access to water in order to irrigate their fields thanks to the Soldiers' efforts. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Edward Keel)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

03.24.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By Capt. Edward Keel
1st BCT, 10th Mtn. Div.

BAGHDAD - Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, recently began a mission with Iraqi citizens to clean a canal in Abu Ghraib to help the local farmland.

As a result of their efforts, residents of the 3-6 FA's area of operations in southern Abu Ghraib will now have better access to water in order to irrigate their fields.

When the Soldiers of Battery A first began conducting patrols in the Abu Ghraib area, they began talking to the local residents and leaders about projects that would help to improve their quality of life.

"The overwhelming response was that something had to be done about the canals," said 1st Lt. Tristan Manning, a medic with 3-6 FA.

The canals criss-cross the area and provide water for the fields where local residents grow many different crops, from grapes to cucumbers.

The canals were filled with dirt and sand and were overgrown with dense grass that choked off nearly the entire water supply.

The canals in the southern part of the region were worse than those in the north.

The battalion's leadership sat down with local tribal leaders as well as members of the local Nahia, which is the neighborhood council, and developed a plan to hire 20 local residents as workers. They provided them with tools and work clothing and oversaw the canal dredging project, which opened up the restricted canals to benefit the local farmers.

Using local contractors, the Nahia purchased tools and work gloves, which employees will be able to keep at the end of the project.

To date, the workers have cleaned more than two kilometers of the canals by hand and have recently started on another two kilometers.

This project has paved the way for future projects that will be developed and executed by Iraqis with financial assistance from U.S. forces.

"This project was not simply about cleaning canals for the residents of this area," said Capt. Edward Keel, commander, Company A, 3-6 FA. "By working with the Nahia Council and hiring local workers, we have laid the corner stone for further projects that will be developed, financed and executed by the Iraqis."

• Date Taken: 03.24.2006
• Date Posted: 03.24.2006 10:30
• Story ID: 5837
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ