DIYALA, Iraq — The Iraqi army with the help of U.S. Soldiers and contractors placed two large concrete towers and several concrete blast walls near the Diyala province, Nov. 14.
"The towers will go a long way in helping the Iraqi army provide better security for the Iraqi citizens," said 1st Lt. Jacob Magill, a platoon leader with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
The first of the two towers was erected near the village of al Sada, where al- Qaeda has been moving, according to 1st Lt. Haider Maher Ali, executive officer for 3rd Company, 3rd Battalion, 20th Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division.
"We are placing these towers here in order to control the northern sector and deter al-Qaeda movement in the area," said Haider, who added he joined the IA to help build a better Iraq and make it a peaceful area.
The tower had to be erected on site, and was delivered and constructed by civilian contractors from Kellogg, Brown and Root with the aid of an Iraqi contractor and a large crane to lift the heavy sections of tower and the multiple blast walls placed around the tower.
"Working with the Iraqi contractor and IA shows our commitment to the security agreement," said Magill. "It was also good for the Iraqi citizens to see the Iraqi civilian crane operator working with the Iraqi army, working with the U.S. forces and showing a good, combined operation on all fronts."
After the first tower and blast walls were in place, Haider, who personally led the placement of the tower and accompanying walls, ensured his Soldiers would be able to utilize the tower for its intended purpose.
Once the first tower was placed the U.S. forces escorted the contractors through the desert to the second site where it could be used for over watch.
"We will work with U.S. forces as one team to help make this area safe and to secure the people from the bad people whether it be al-Qaeda or any terrorist organization as we build a new Iraq," said Haider.