Illinois Guard works town, Page 9 Vol. 3, No. 28 Baghdad, Iraq July 15, 2005 Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert R. Attebury Cpl. Jacob West of 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Company B rides in an Amphibious Assault Vehicle during Operation Khanjar near Thar Thar, Iraq. The 2nd Marine Division and MNF-W conducts counter-insurgency operations with Iraqi Security Forces to neutralize anti-Iraqi forces, to support the development of Iraqi Security Forces and to support Iraqi reconstruction and democratic elections to create a secure government that enables Iraqi self-reliance and self-governance. $300 million marked for Basra reconstruction District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. police stations, fire stations and all border forts. By Staff Sgt. Timothy B. Lawn Watson directs the Project and Contracting Office, Gulf Additionally, Watson also presents high dollar unfunded Scimitar Staff Region South. He manages a developmental fund for an Iraq projects to the international donor community. “We are active- Task Force that restores Iraqi oil and electricity and all Iraqi ly seeking Iraqi leadership and input in reconstruction efforts, BASRA, Iraq — At least $300 million has been earmarked relief and reconstruction money. and we help them figure out what they need and help them pri- for more than 150 reconstruction projects in Basra. The fund- “I lead and manage about 150 construction projects worth oritize,” said Watson. He said the international community is ing provides the city a major boost of economic revitalization. about $300 million,” said Watson. very engaged with the local Iraqi government. The funding breathes life into vital necessities such as To accomplish his mission, Watson has established five res- “In one year alone, reconstruction and relief money helped water restoration projects and sewage treatment plants, elec- ident offices in South Central Iraq, where his employees man- complete over 300 schools,” said Watson. Although these proj- tical grids, fire stations and courthouses, even train stations; age and are responsible for the nine southern provinces of Iraq. ects came under separate budgets, they have since been com- yet, most importantly, these projects are dreamed of, Some of the projects they manage are electricity — genera- pleted. designed, and completed by Iraqi citizens from the Basra tion, transmission and distribution. They are also restoring the An example of Iraqi citizens leading the way in creating area. Basra water distribution and sewage systems along with all their own future was present during a brief tour on July 7. “We are putting Iraqis to work, and jump-starting the part of school and health care facilities reconstruction. Additional Several U.S. Army Corps of Engineer personnel visited some the Iraqi economy that comes from reconstruction,” said Wes projects include the Basra International Airport, Umm Qasr Watson, Area Engineer, Gulf Region South, Engineering seaport and security projects, including the Basra courthouse, See BASRA, Page 2 Inside Air Force to use Iraq air base’s Airman recovers, fights his way Medic survives sniper attack, historical name Page 4 back to Iraq Page 12 captures terrorist Page 14 Page 2 Scimitar July 15, 2005 equipment primarily came from British of them lack necessary skills and trades. forces, said Salman. Critical replacement Though they may lack the necessary skills parts are now provided by Americans in and trades, Watson admits, they know what Baghdad. they want. Supervising the fire station construction “We engage them in the process because was engineer Hassam Falih Khat’aa Anwar they know more about what they need than from the Al-Hujih (construction and engineer- we do,” Watson said. “It is an enormous suc- ing) Company. cess story. We are helping the Iraqis realize Khat’aa and his firm were awarded the con- they have the power to choose.” tract on the fire station refurbishment. They are also finishing a mosque and reception hall for the firemen. All of this progress is paid Basra with American funds. Relief and Reconstruction “The [fire station] equipment is pretty much Facts and Figures primitive. Basra is still lacking basics such as In one year, over 300 schools were hydrant systems,” said Dr. Ghassan Al-Chaar, finished and ready for occupancy. Project Engineer, Gulf Region South, Engineering District, U.S. Army Corps of More than 30 engineers have been on Engineers. Al-Chaar is a structural engineer the staff of GRS for more than two and dual Syrian/U.S. citizen. Though con- years. cerned about the slow progress, he added, “slowly but surely, I am very happy and very More than 90 percent of the work pleased. It is a wonderful feeling to see the force undertaking projects in and final project.” around the Basra area are Iraqi citi- Engineer Hassam Falih Khat’aa Anwar from the Al-Hujih (construction and Al-Chaar completed his fourth tour in Iraq zens. engineering) Company supervises his workers as they mix cement for mason- on July 8. He handled all projects inside the ry work on the firehouse. They are also finishing a mosque and reception hall city of Basra. This included border forts, Iraqi airlines fly into Basra for the firemen. police, fire stations, sewer and waste water International Airport more than three systems. He was also in charge of restoration times a week. The first flights began applied plaster. and demolition of all of the Basra Ba’ath in June. Basra Col. Raad Salman, chief of Civil Defense of Party headquarters and surrounding buildings from Page 1 Basra, said “We are here to serve all people, “We witnessed many projects, renovated There are more than 150 construction the same as the American and British civil two buildings and clinics, and now we turn projects totaling $300 million in reconstruction projects under way within the defense.” over projects to Iraqis,” said Al-Chaar. Basra and the surrounding communi- city of Basra. Salman assumed command of Basra’s civil “The work force is 90 percent Iraqi … I ties. At one of the project sites, the Basra fire sta- defense after the war on April 4, 2003. He think that is an underestimate,” said Watson. tion and civil defense headquarters, a beehive of manages 14 fire stations and more than 700 “We are trying to do large-scale reconstruc- Most of the projects being completed construction was under way. Firemen cleaned fire, safety and security experts. tion in a country that has had 35 years of are designed, requested and construct- vehicles and equipment alongside construc- The fire station was originally completed destruction.” ed by Iraqis. tion workers who shoveled cement and by the Coalition Provisional Authority and its The challenge of hiring Iraqis is that many Iraqi Forces on track to provide Baghdad election security Army division in Baghdad will be ready by and experienced Iraqi security forces “We don’t think the enemy is capable of By U.S. Army Sgt. Sara Wood the elections. patrolling the streets, talking to the Iraqi peo- sustained, long-term operations against us and American Forces Press Service The plan is for the Iraqi division, made up ple and gathering greater intelligence,” he the Iraqi security forces,” he said. of six brigades, along with Iraqi special said. “The people are gaining more confi- Defeat of the insurgency, however, is a WASHINGTON — Iraqi Security Forces police and commandos, to plan and conduct dence, and they’re providing them lots of more ambiguous concept, Webster said. in and around Baghdad are making progress security for the elections in Baghdad, with information.” The insurgents are highly adaptable ene- in their training and will be ready to assume backup from U.S. forces, he said. Iraqi Since the beginning of Operation Lightning mies who are hard to keep track of, he responsibility for security measures for the forces are facing difficulties in supporting in May, the number of vehicle-borne IED explained. October elections, the area’s top U.S. com- themselves logistically for long-term opera- attacks per week in Baghdad has been cut in “It’s very difficult to know it’s over until the mander said July 8. tions, he explained, and it will be at least half, thousands of suspects have been cap- Iraqi people are comfortable with the level of Speaking by satellite from Baghdad in a spring before they are fully independent in tured, including 51 foreign fighters, and more security that they have around them and Pentagon news briefing, Army Maj. Gen. that capacity. than 2,500 traffic-control points have been they’re able to go on with their lives in a nor- William Webster, commander of Task Force Iraqi and Coalition Forces have been suc- established, the general said. The insurgency mal way,” he said. Baghdad and the 3rd Infantry Division, said cessful at reducing the number of vehicle- in Baghdad has been suppressed to a point Iraqi and Coalition Forces are continually two Iraqi brigades already are operating on borne improvised explosive device attacks in where political and economic progress can improving in their tactics against insurgents, their own in Baghdad, and two more will be Baghdad, largely due to an increased presence continue, and despite continued threats, the he said, and the strength of the government operational in about two months. The remain- of Iraqi forces, Webster said. terrorists will not maintain a large presence and confidence of the Iraqi people prove there ing two brigades that will make up the Iraqi “We attribute our success to better-trained there, he said. is hope for the future of Iraq. MNF-I Commanding General Editor...................................Staff Sgt. Brett B. McMillan Gen. George Casey [email protected] Scimitar welcomes columns, MNF-I PAO Assistant Editor....................................Sgt.