Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Matthew Zajac, commander , 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), shakes...... read more read more
By 2nd Lt. Stephen Clements
926th Engineer Brigade
BAGHDAD – When a vertical team from Company A., 46th Engineer Combat Battalion, and an earth moving team from the 955 Engineer Company, arrived at a combat outpost in the East Rashid District of Baghdad, there was a lot of room for improvement in the living conditions for the Soldiers bravely serving there; both units are part of 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
Perhaps the key task for the team was the installation of two pumps and tanks to contain dirty shower and sink water, which is also known as "grey water," from the two shower trailers in order to remove a potential health risk at the outpost.
The health risk was a direct result of the uncontrolled shower runoff, which was clearly visible to the casual observer. Behind one trailer was a swamp of lush green ferns growing out of an impassable section of the motor pool where drainage water had been flowing. In another area, a deep, green cesspool, where a temporary tank had overflowed, creating a haven for mosquitoes to breed.
After arriving at the COP, Spc. Nicholas Emory and Pfc. Matt Callahan, both from Rolla, Mo., put their D7 bulldozer and hydraulic excavator into action to remove obstructions and to spread gravel. Both Soldiers are assigned to 955th Engineer Company.
Together, they demolished the swamp, leveled mud mounds and did the same in the rest of the motor pool. Instead of following the initial limited scope of work and simply filling a hole and leveling a parking area, their skilled efforts created almost 20 percent more useable motor pool space.
Next, Company A Soldiers, led by Staff Sgt. Gary Butler, a native of Texas and a squad leader with the 46th Eng. Combat Bn. (H), ran pipe from the two shower trailers to pumps, then to water storage tanks, and placed concrete for two pads and sumps.
"In addition to the directed scope of work, the carpenters, electrician and plumbers did whatever could be done in order to enhance the living standards of the maneuver elements," said Butler.
Pvt. Steven Lincoln, a native of R.I., designed and built a safer set of stairs for the COP's Tactical Operations Center with the help of Pfc. Robert Shoults.
Pfc. Travis Peters, of Carrollton, Ill., an electrician with Company A., repaired electric outlets and repaired and installed air conditioning units in addition to ensuring the trailers were grounded properly. Spc. Johannes Cawood, a plumbing specialist from Flint, Mich., spent a lot of time on his back in the drying muck beneath the shower trailers as he worked to improve the piping.
During their planned repairs, the team found themselves suddenly reacting to a crisis.
"While investigating the cause of a leak from municipal lines, the leaking water main crumbled, which caused water to pour from both ends at nearly 150 gallons-per-minute!" said Cawood.
For approximately the next twelve hours, Cawood and Lincoln fought to repair the broken main – often while completely submersed. Meanwhile, Callahan and Sgt. Nicholas Daniel enlarged a lagoon to accommodate the deluge and prevent flooding of the COP and a nearby barracks. Finally, at nearly 1:30 a.m., the crew completed the water main repairs.
By the end of the mission, the vertical and horizontal engineers of the 46th Eng. Combat Bn. (H) accomplished their directed repairs and resolved numerous other quality of life issues. In doing so, the Soldiers exemplified the battalion's motto of "To Achieve!"
| Date Taken: | 08.13.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2008 14:25 |
| Story ID: | 22456 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 166 |
| Downloads: | 118 |
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