17th FA Bde. brings comfort, security to MND-B Soldiers, VBC

Photo By Sgt. Rodney Foliente | Petty Officer 2nd Class Nelson Vega, a member of an explosive ordnance disposal team, 3rd Ordnance Battalion, attached to Multi-National Division – Baghdad, squeezes his way past flying defenders and hits a layup July 16 during the semifinals of a Morale, Welfare and Recreation-sponsored basketball tournament here.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

07.26.2006

Story by Spc. Rodney Foliente 

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

By Spc. Rodney Foliente
4th Inf. Div. PAO

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — Many Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad are often unaware of the unseen hands that constantly move in a diligent effort to safeguard, streamline and improve the working and living conditions throughout Camp Liberty.

The matters of force protection, safety and quality of life rest in the able hands of the Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 17th Field Artillery Brigade, which is based out of Fort Sill, Okla., currently based at Camp Victory and attached to Multi-National Corps – Iraq.

"Our job is to improve and maintain the quality of life for Victory Base Complex," said Capt. Mark Johnstone, brigade human resources director and Morale, Welfare and Recreation coordinator, HHB, 17th FA Bde.

The VBC predominately includes Camps Liberty, Victory, Slayer and Striker.

The 17th Eng. Bde. assumed the role of garrison command for VBC in September. In January, it "took on the extra responsibility of being in charge of base defense operations," said Johnstone, who calls Lawton, Okla., home. "We're not only in charge of running the city (VBC) but defending the city as well."

The unit also performs background checks and credentialing for local nationals and contractors, he added.

"We run almost every facet of garrison life on VBC," said Sgt. 1st Class Troy Heffner, brigade master gunner functioning as the engineering, plans and construction noncommissioned officer-in-charge, HHB, 17th FA Bde. The brigade covers everything from making sure air conditioner units work to increasing force protection and Soldiers' safety by improving entry control points and barriers throughout the VBC area of operations.

"A lot of what we do isn't seen by the Soldiers," said Heffner, a native of Hamburg, Pa.

He said one reason is because much of the construction is done by Army engineers and contractors. Most of the labor for their projects comes from contractors, who are federally contracted throughout Iraq, such as Kellogg, Brown and Root, or from local contractors.

By hiring Iraqi contractors for many labor projects, Coalition Forces also help boost the local economy, operating in conjunction with Multi-National Force – Iraq's and MNC-I's program of hiring Iraqis to fill approximately 75 percent of the civilian labor force, said Lt. Col. Kevin Gregory, native of Ireland, W.Va., who is the executive officer for 17th FA Bde.

"There are close to 2,500 local nationals that work (on VBC) on a daily basis," he said.

Hiring local nationals also allows the Iraqis to learn new techniques, learn about new building materials or tools, and often raises the standards of their capabilities, added Heffner.

Another reason why some of the efforts of 17th FA Bde., perhaps escape notice is because many Soldiers may not think about where their comforts come from or what it takes to get something fixed, replaced or built, said Heffner. The fact most Soldiers don't worry about such things means that the artillerymen-gone-garrison have been doing their job well, said Heffner proudly.

The 17th FA Bde. Soldiers don't mind being an invisible force, he said, adding they receive their satisfaction from knowing they are helping their fellow Soldiers.

"The intent is to allow the Soldiers returning from (combat missions) to relax and enjoy themselves and not have to face the conditions they deal with outside the wire," added Gregory.

Soldiers in a combat environment have to focus on their missions and shouldn't have to worry about lacking such things as electricity in their trailers, water for showers, lighting around the perimeter walls, paved roads, unclogged sewers, protective barriers and other daily safety measures, said Lt. Col. Dewey Granger, the governor for MND-B's Camp Liberty and commander of 1st Battery, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th FA Bde.

Entertainment and fitness are also important for Soldiers' well-being, which is why 1-12 FA unveiled Camp Liberty's new indoor basketball court with an MWR-hosted basketball tournament July 15-16. "It's unlike any other gym out here," Granger said.

With hardwood floors, air conditioning and a digital scoreboard as some of its features, the full-size basketball court promises to get a lot of use in an area where the days can often simmer above 110 degrees.

The basketball court is amazing, said Spc. Ron Flowers, transportation specialist, Company A, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, attached to MND-B. He said he hadn't expected to find a court so nice in Iraq.

"We work very hard to meet (Soldiers') needs and make them comfortable so all they have to do is focus on the mission," said Granger, who calls Killeen, Texas, home. "We're always looking for new ideas and better improvements," said Granger, who added that any Soldiers with ideas or concerns can take an active part in their quality of life by contacting their mayors.

With a previous deployment to Iraq and hefty combat-arms experience, the Soldiers of 17th FA Bde. feel they understand what Soldiers need, and though they are currently functioning in a different capacity than field artillery, they are dedicated to their present mission and continuously give it their all to benefit their fellow Soldiers, said Granger.

Along with most of the 17th FA Bde., Heffner said he would rather be functioning as a field artillery unit, but he admitted he has really enjoyed his temporary engineer work here.

Heffner said he recently co-designed "the ECP of all ECPs:" an approximately 1,100 meter-long ECP that will use new technology to minimize the Soldiers' risk of exposure to roadside bombs and vehicle-borne improvised-explosive devices.

Construction for the massive ECP is slated to begin in September, around the time when the 17th FA Bde. will redeploy home. One year ago, Heffner said he would have never believed himself capable of designing such a complex and high-tech structure. But now, at the tail end of the deployment and with a wealth of training and experience under his belt, he will leave behind his legacy to VBC: the ECP he will always be proud of from his short stint as an engineer.

"It goes to show how our Army can adapt to almost every situation and overcome," said Heffner. "It's a testimony to the quality of training we receive, the support we get from the Army as a whole and the support we get from the American people."

• Date Taken: 07.26.2006
• Date Posted: 07.26.2006 09:56
• Story ID: 7324
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ