MOSUL, Iraq (Feb. 25) - As the U.S. Army is preparing to close Forward Operating Base Courage and turn it over to the Iraqi government, members of the U.S. Air Force's 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron, located at FOB Marez, are preparing for the influx of forces from FOB Courage.
As part of the U.S. Army's 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the 557th ERHS is preparing sites on FOB Marez to emplace Containerized Housing Units. They are also refurbishing existing structures for incoming units to occupy as workspaces.
"Currently, we have six main projects going on and 12 main projects to start shortly," said Maj. Steve Dill, engineering flight commander and Great Falls, Mont., native. "We are making room for the people and equipment coming from FOB Courage to FOB Marez. We are not increasing the size of the FOB, but instead we are making use of space that is available."
In addition to refurbishing existing buildings to accommodate new tenants, the 557th is building two new structures for the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team to use as office space.
"It's a tight schedule, but I don't see why we cannot accomplish the mission," said 1st Lt. Bjorn Helgeson, project manager from Minnetonka, Minnesota. "Currently, we are on track with all of our projects."
The Airmen of 557th arrived in January of 2006 and are scheduled to complete their mission of building up FOB Marez by the end of July.
"The Army has different ways of doing things than the Air Force, but the experience of working with different services has been a tremendous experience," Helgeson said. "We all come together and get the job done. We will complete this mission."