Photo By Spc. Josh Lecappelain | T-walls pull their normal work shift outside of the Multi-National Division-Center...... read more read more
By Spc. Josh LeCappelain
Multi-National Division-Center Public Affairs Office
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – They stand everywhere the eye can see, brave warriors, tall and proud. Never flinching, never surrendering, these protectors never take time off – the thought never even crosses their minds.
Of course, not a lot crosses your mind when you are made of concrete.
They are called T-walls, named after their unique, upside down T shape. All over Iraq, wherever you see coalition forces' bases, you see T-walls.
"T-walls are large, concrete barriers designed to protect against improvised explosive devices and sniper attacks," said Staff Sgt. Mineris Figueroa-Agosto, West Liberty LSA force protection non-commissioned officer-in-charge. "If you don't have any up, it leaves you exposed and a safety risk."
According to Figueroa, a variety of different companies and batch plants create the T-walls – including local Iraqi-operated companies.
"We go to them to try to increase the economy for local vendors," said Figueroa, noting that each T-wall costs approximately $800.
Per Multi-National Force – Iraq standards, the T-walls must be 12-feet high, as well as 12-feet away from buildings – to reduce the risks of damages to buildings or vehicles should a T-wall topple.
Some T-walls around the Victory Base Complex are only 10-feet tall, but a project is currently underway to ensure that all T-walls fall within the required regulatory size.
The T-walls are also now entirely composed of concrete – a change from earlier versions where they also contained Styrofoam.
When Soldiers assigned to Mayor's Cells around Victory Base Complex receive new T-walls, they carefully inspect them, ensuring that there are no imperfections that would limit the effectiveness of the barriers. A five percent margin of error is accepted; a higher percent could lead to vendors losing their contracts to create the walls.
Figueroa says that her LSA has approx. 2,000 T-walls, and she estimates nearly 1 million T-walls are located around the entire VBC – each of which weighs more than six tons and is 9" thick.
"When Soldiers come back inside the wire from missions, T-walls give them one less thing to worry about," said Figueroa. "It's all about their safety."
On the Task Force Mountain web page, there is an ongoing discussion about what we should do with the T-walls when coalition forces leave VBC one day. To participate in the conversation and have your voice heard, go to http://www.taskforcemountain.com/mountain-sound-off/19-blog/702-t-wall-heaven.
| Date Taken: | 10.08.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2008 04:28 |
| Story ID: | 24663 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 70 |
This work, The truth behind the T, by SPC Josh Lecappelain, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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