BAGHDAD, Iraq - “If we help keep the peace for the U.S. military, the military will keep the peace for the people of Iraq. We protect each other,” said Yonis Al-Wahaili, a foreman for an Iraqi-owned construction company.
The Iraqi-owned company recently completed construction of new overhead protection for the Robert Hernandez Dining Facility on Forward Operating Base Union III.
“The dining facility is a mass gathering area for troops,” said Air Force 1st Lt. Dan Warden from Bozeman, Montana, and a civil engineer with the 467th Prime Beef Squadron. “Having overhead protection has mitigated a huge threat.”
“For a project this size, it could be a pretty daunting experience for a local contracting company that hasn’t had a lot of work,” he said. “But they pulled it off.”
The construction company completed all of the contracting of the project from design to construction.
“Once we received the contract it took one month to design the overhead protection,” said Dr. Salah R. Al-Zaidee a structural engineer professor at Baghdad University, and consultant for the company.
“Dr. Salah designed the structure himself,” Warden said. “The plans were then sent to, and approved by, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“This is built to provide excellent protection for the troops,” said Salah.
“This gives those who eat here peace-of-mind,” said Warden. “It could save lives.”
Although this project was the company’s largest, it wasn’t their first time working with troops on FOB Union III.
“I have been working on FOB Union III for five years and have been involved in various construction projects,” said Yonis. “We’ve constructed the T-walls surrounding the FOB and renovations of buildings here.”
With the DFAC project completed, more projects are scheduled with Iraqi-owned
businesses. These projects pave the way for future Iraqi-American relations and
increase the safety for all service members deployed to Iraq.
“This is the first of several overhead projects we have coming to FOB Union III,” said Mrs. Diane Devens from Yorktown, Va., United States Forces – Iraq deputy commanding general for advising and training executive director.
There are plans to build over-head cover for the gym and housing areas as well, she said.