Patrol Base Murray – Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, named the assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan in May, went to Patrol Base Murray, Oct. 25, to meet with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division's military and civilian leaders on reconstruction in their areas of operation.
"One reason we're down here is to get bottom-up feedback (from the units on the ground)," Lute said.
Lute gave ideas to the military and civilian leaders at the meeting on helping to rebuild the areas. One idea was having different states adopt one of the 18 provinces in Iraq. As an example, he said that the governor of Missouri might be interested in working closely with the governor of the Babil province. That state would then work closely with its adopted province to build the local economy.
Along with plans for local government and infrastructure reconstruction, the improved security of the region was also discussed. Commanders recognize that security is the first step in economic and political growth in their area of operations.
"It all goes back to the security," said Col. Terry Ferrell, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. commander. "When the security improves we can work on the projects."
Lute also said improving security would open the door to reconstruction projects. "We want to take advantage and exploit this success," he said.
On the civilian side, embedded Provincial Reconstruction Teams have been embedded with the brigades to spearhead reconstruction efforts.
John Smith, the ePRT leader for 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., was optimistic about Lute's visit.
"He has an open ear for boots-on-the-ground knowledge," Smith said. "For him to hear boots-on-the-ground information helps him to get perspective."
Smith is relatively new to this area of operations, but has already met with local leaders to assess the needs of the Iraqi people in Hawr Rajab and Arab Jabour. He said the time is now for the Iraqis in the area to start building their local and provincial governments and those tasks will come easier if Lute and his staff in Washington are aware of what needs to be done.
"I think he had some great ideas," Smith said. "Him (Lute) coming out here is worth its weight in gold."
A safer area of operations helps the Provincial Reconstruction Teams to assist provincial and local governments to grow economically, politically and socially.
Another development is more than 1,000 residents in the Guardian and Hammer AOs who have become concerned local citizens. The CLCs are helping to drive out al-Qaida and insurgents.
"People see the security is improving," said Col. Wayne Grigsby, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. commander. "That's why this Concerned (local) citizens is growing like wildfire."
To help the security, Iraqis are setting aside their secular differences. "I've got Sunni concerned citizens and I've got Shia concerned citizens. They are interested in taking out the criminals," Grigsby added.