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BABIL PROVINCE, Iraq – As the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment conducts its advise and assist missions with Iraqi Security forces, it must also consider decreasing its footprint to make room for Iraqis to take responsibility of areas it currently uses.
With assistance from the U.S. Air Force, the 3rd ACR conducts continuous planning to reduce the spaces it occupies in preparation for an eventual withdrawal of United States forces.
“We provide installation engineering and light vertical and horizontal troop labor,” said Lt. Col. Laura Johnson, squadron commander of the 467th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineering Emergency Force. “Our Facility Engineer Teams use their technical expertise to execute master planning and surveying.” Johnson is originally from Duluth, Minn.
The FET on Contingency Operating Site Kalsu has been working with the 3rd ACR on recent projects that will have a positive effect on the future of both Iraqi Security Forces and residents in the local area.
In August, the FET succeeded in developing the plan that would extend the Unmanned Aircraft System runway on COS Kalsu to allow for larger aircraft to take off and land.
“We extended the runway so that multiple UAS models could utilize it,” said Johnson. “The project was completed in only 36 days to meet the draw down of forces deadline. The Kalsu FET provided all of the surveying and construction.”
The FET is currently working with the 3rd ACR on a plan that will move members of the Iraqi army onto COS Kalsu. The project, when complete, will put the IA and United States forces in closer proximity to each other, allowing for greater cohesion and ease of joint missions.
“We are surveying the area that the ISF will eventually be housed,” said Tech. Sgt. Andrea Romero, lead engineer assistant with the Kalsu FET, originally from Las Vegas. “We have to account for the total space, to include force protection measures as well as living and working space.”
The 3rd ACR is also calling on the FET for a mission plan that will breathe new life into a courthouse in the city of Hillah.
“We are surveying and making plans for this courthouse,” said Johnson. “It will get needed refurbishing and then be turned back over to the Iraqis who will use it.”
The courthouse in Hillah will serve as a hall of justice where Iraqis will be able to exercise their own ability to uphold the laws of its government. The 3rd ACR and the Kalsu FET work together to ensure the success of their Iraqi partners and their goals.
“I take my job very personally,” said Romero. “I know that I’ve contributed to Iraqi sustainment and their ability to stand on their own. I can leave here knowing I made a difference for the Iraqi people.”
| Date Taken: | 11.29.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.29.2010 07:39 |
| Story ID: | 61009 |
| Location: | BABIL PROVINCE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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