Photo By Spc. Amanda McBride | Staff Sgt. Benjamin Johnson (left) and Master Sgt. Brian Andrews (back to camera),...... read more read more
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By Pfc. Amanda McBride
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Coalition forces and local contractors inspected two buildings under construction in Jurf as Sakhr, Jan. 15.
"Basically we escorted civil affairs to inspect the progress and to make sure it being done to standard," said Capt. Eric Tisland, commander of Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. "We also viewed everything that still needs to be done on the buildings."
One of the buildings, a town hall building, is the newest construction project in town and began two weeks ago. The other building is the government annex building.
"Once the town hall is completed the mayor of Jurf, along with his staff, will move into it," Tisland said.
Man power for the annex building was divided with the town hall so both can be completed, Tisland said.
With many buildings in need of repair, local residents in the area are coming up with plans to rebuild.
"Right now they are very open about their problems," said Tisland, from Richmond Hill, Ga.
Since taking over command of the area of operations last November, Soldiers in Company A are working to maintain the good relationship with residents established by the previous unit.
"I think the biggest thing is the reception from the local people," Tisland said. "They have warmed to our presence in the area."
Company A plans to continue with more projects in the future.
"The first priority is repairing the 10 to 12 schools in our AO," Tisland said. "As (the people of Jurf as Sakhr) see it, the children and education are the foundation of Iraq."
The city still needs assistance from the government of Iraq so it can continue to prosper after coalition forces leave, Tisland said.
"The biggest thing Jurf needs right now is connection to the government," Tisland said. "The people are working and rebuilding, but certain things they can't do without support from their government."
| Date Taken: | 01.21.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.21.2008 13:07 |
| Story ID: | 15617 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 244 |
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