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OALITION Volume 4, Issue 8 August 2009 CHRONICLE BIAP Canals Flowing Again Foreign exchange: U.S. Marines, Iraqi Soldiers British Forces In Iraq Reach End of mission Spc. Lucia Arballes of Jamaica, N.Y., assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, OALITION 1st Cavalry Division, stands next to a 10-K forklift she’s been working on at the battalion’s mechanic shop HRONICLE at Forward Operating Base Marez, C in Mosul, Iraq, July 7. (U.S. photo The Official Magazine of by Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Carmichael Yepez) Multi-National Corps — Iraq On the Cover August 2009 Volume 4, Issue 8 MNC-I Commander Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr. MNC-I Public Affairs Officer Col. John R. Robinson MNC-I Public Affairs Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Richard Puckett Editor/Layout and Design Ms. Renea L. Everage page 4 Questions, comments and concerns about the “Brother in Arms” give to servicemembers Coalition Chronicle can be addressed via email at and Iraqi children [email protected]. mil. Submissions of articles, photos and letters are also welcome. The Chronicle reserves the right to edit for security, accuracy, propriety, clarity and space. Archived issues are available at http:// www.dvidshub.net. Electronic versions of current issues can be found at www. mnc-i.com. page 8 The Coalition Chronicle is an authorized monthly publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this Iraqi-born U.S. Army monthly publication are not necessarily the official views Soldier returns home of or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Department of Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the to become U.S. citizen responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of the Multi- National Corps-Iraq. Departments Feature up Front page 1 Freedom’s Focal Point page 10 Photo Feature page 17 page 18 U.S. airborne medics teach basic In Memoriam skills to Iraqi forces page 21 FEATURE UP FRONT UP FEATURE Canals are Flowing once again ... Story and photos by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Luke Koladish MNC-I Public Affairs An Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority worker tests the pressure in the pump system pipes of the canal that drains excess water from beneath the runways of Baghdad International Airport. August 2009 1 Gorgess Oshan, an employee of the Iraqi ...at Baghdad Civil Aviation Authority, tightens the bolts for the pipe connecting the submersible to the pump International as Sgt. Thomas Jeffrey Phillips, 364th Civil Affairs Brigade, watches, July 23, Airport near Baghdad International Airport. In subsequent visits, Lubas outlined steps for a maintenance program, coordinated with Iraqi engineers on what repairs had to be done to get the pumps operational, and formed standard operating procedures. “They were running the pumps in manual position and with a water in the pipes to keep the system The water level at the first pump power grid so unstable, once power charged and ready to resume as the station had already decreased two went out the pumps would shut canals filled. feet and the water at the second down and the pressure would bleed “I was astonished today how much pump station was flowing easily and out and it wouldn’t turn on again.” work they have done to get to the smoothly. The BIAP canals merge Sgt. Thomas Jeffrey Phillips, Chief Petty Officer Edward M. Lubas and engineering advisor Majeed Al Tamimi from the 364th Civil Affairs Brigade, and engineers from the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority observe the flow of water into the canal that runs Part of the new SOP was to keep pumps operational, and they did it with other canals until they reach outside of Baghdad International Airport, July 23. the pumps running automatically on their own, with their own parts,” farms needing irrigation. so they would stop when the water Lubas said during the last scheduled “They have been shown how it gt. Thomas Jeffrey Phillips, “To see all that water barreling integrity of the runways. reached a certain level, but still keep visit to the canals. works, they got the parts and they Navy Chief Petty Officer out and filling the canal was a pretty The civil affairs team was got it working,” Al SEdward M. Lubas, and Majeed good feeling.” concerned that those pump Tamimi said. Al Tamimi, a bilingual bicultural More than two months ago the stations might be the problem. “Whether or engineering advisor, stood at ICAA Director General, Sabeeh After a survey of the sites, Lubas, not they will keep the edge of an empty canal that Al Shebany, expressed that the a telecommunications officer from maintaining and disappeared into the horizon. increasing water levels beneath Jacksonville, Fla., immediately saw keep it running is The team from the 364th Civil the runway were a priority for any the problem. now up to them, we Affairs Brigade, Camp Victory, assistance the 364th could provide “The mechanical seals were bad, are finished with the listened as a diesel back-up said Lt. Col. Howard A. Schaffer of the control units were covered in project.” generator was fired up, popped, Beaverton, Ore. dust that causes shorts, back-up sputtered and then died. “They said the water table beneath diesel pumps were non-operational After a few adjustments were the Baghdad International Airport and there were some holes in the made by mechanics from the Iraqi was too high and they thought piping system causing a lack of Civil Aviation Authority, the pumps there might be an issue on our pressure,” he explained. Chief Petty Officer were primed. Water progressed side of the canal system (Victory Despite the disarray of the Edward M. Lubas from a muddy trickle to a steady Base Complex),” said Schaffer, and equipment, the team decided that examines the drive flow, bringing a satisfying end to the economic development officer with with proper maintenance and a shaft of a pump at a project that started back in April. the brigade. few repairs, the pumps could be station along with Iraqi “It’s good to see they were able to A series of pumps had been operational again. Civil Aviation Authority pull everything together and get it completed as a Commanders’ “The first part was explaining engineers outside working,” said Phillips, a functional Emergency Response Program or to the Iraqis they didn’t need new Baghdad International specialities noncommissioned CERP initiative in November 2007 equipment, they just need to replace Airport, July 23. officer-in-charge and Gilbert, Ariz. to ensure the water table beneath a few parts and maintain what they native. BIAP did not compromise the had,” Phillips said. 2 Coalition Chronicle August 2009 3 taught the children first aid. routine of 12 to 18 hour shifts, In the past, they have that makes their situation hosted soccer and basketball a whole lot better,” said A unique call to duty: games. They have even taken Satterwhite.” It’s really nice the children on field trips to to provide an outlet and Maj. Kent Broussard, (left) fire stations and gave them a downtime for Soldiers.” environmental science officer chance to try on firefighter’s As for their own inner for the 1st Cavalry Divsion gear. circle, these fraternity and other members of Kappa “It is very rewarding to brothers also have their own Alpha Psi fraternity teach first give back to the community support system to help each aid to Iraqi Boy Scouts and and mentor when there is other make it through the Girl Scouts during a recent an opportunity to make a deployment. Just sitting with partnership session. The difference by educating and them for a few minutes can fraternity “brothers in arms” empowering our youth,” said make you feel like you will group meets weekly at Pegasus Broussard. never be alone with these dining facility on Camp Liberty for fellowship and to make The fraternity’s mission guys. plans for future partnership of making a difference does “We’re extremely close opportunities with the Iraqi not stop there. They also go knit,” said Hall. We’ve community. The group has the extra mile helping fellow enjoyed some of the most previously hosted volleyball Soldiers. The group sponsors “When they are reading poetry hearty laughs and light and basketball games for the poetry readings to give Soldiers a for example, they can forget for moments, memories that will last Iraqi children and even took chance to express themselves and a moment what’s really going on forever.” them on a field trip to a nearby jazz socials where Soldiers can kick around them,” said Berry. “If you Those memories of partnership fire station. back and enjoy soothing music. It’s a take their mind off of it for a while, it and giving something back would chance for everyone to escape from eases stress.” likely have made fellow Kappa Alpha the stress of combat life. “Wherever you can break the Psi member Arthur Ashe very proud. Fraternity “brothers in arms” give Members of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity meet weekly at Pegasus dining facility on Camp Liberty, Iraq for fellowship and to discuss plans for upcoming partnership opportunities with the Iraqi community. The group includes (left to right) Maj. Frederick Hall, 225th Engineer Brigade and Maj. Kent Broussard, 1st Cavalry Division; (kneeling) Maj. Reginald Satterwhite, 1st Cav. Div., 1st Lt. Derrick Isaac, 620th CSSB, Mr. Derrick Mitchell, a civilian contractor; and (standing in rear) Maj. Willus Hall, 225th to Soldiers and Iraqi children Engineer Brigade and Lt. Col. Joe Berry, Multi-National Corps - Iraq. “From what we get, Story and photos by Lt. Col. Pat Simon 225th Eng.