BAGHDAD — Local contractors are a key component of the rebuilding process in Iraq because their work contributes to the construction efforts, generates local business and promotes growth.
Another key component involve quality control and assurance measures, which ensure that construction projects are completed to a high standard of safety within a reasonable timeframe and with quality materials.
One of the valuable sets of skills offered by the engineers of 16th Engineer Brigade is their ability to ensure those high standards are met when projects are completed by local contractors. Responsible for this quality assurance and control process is the 16th Engineer Brigade's Survey and Design team.
"Quality assurance and quality control of construction projects is one of our most important missions," said Capt. Dolph Watts of Marion, Ohio, a Civil Engineer with the Team.
Use of local contractors contributes to the construction efforts, generates local business and promotes growth. Watts said he and the rest of the Survey and Design Team visit construction sites to make sure no problems arise during construction.
"Our team tries to ensure that a contractor is not cutting corners or delivering an inferior product that could cost someone's life," said Watts.
The Survey and Design Team is currently working on a quality assurance and control mission at a school just west of Baghdad. A local Iraqi contractor has been hired to renovate existing classrooms at the school, as well as to construct six new rooms.
Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Markel, a senior technical engineer NCO for the team and a of Chillicothe, Ohio native, said he works in partnership with 1472nd Civil Affairs Company, Civil Affairs Team 722 to ensure projects are done to standard and equitably.
"The civil affairs teams set up many reconstruction projects, they establish rapport with the locals, keep the project moving, and make sure everyone is happy with the end result," Markel said.
When doing quality control checks, Markel looks for specific benchmarks and whether the contractors adhere to the construction timeline.
"There is an agreed upon timeline by all parties involved. I help the civil affairs teams to accurately assess if a construction mission will be done by a certain time," Markel said. "If we were told that the walls would be up by a certain day, or the roof would be installed on a building by a certain day, those are some of the things that I look for."
During a visit of one local contractor, the Soldiers listened as the contractor explained that while he has made great progress, he will need a few additional days to finish the project to standard.
As he returned to Camp Liberty, Markel discussed the day's events with the civil affairs team. This time, they said they were very pleased and reassured by the progress.
Markel is keenly aware that his window of opportunity to affect high standards among local contractors is short.
"What is being constructed has to be a lasting structure," said Markel. "The building cannot fall apart months after we leave."