Photo By Master Sgt. Jerry Saslav | An Iraqi worker digs a ditch during installation of trailers that will provide housing...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Jerry Saslav
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
JOINT SECURITY STATION BASATEEN, Iraq – Even with Iraqi construction crews hard at work, Joint Security Station Basateen looks far from ready to accommodate the approximately 200 Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers who will call it home in six days.
The T-walls were still being put in on Dec. 9, there was no electricity or water; the trailers that will be used for housing and work spaces are physically there – they're just not in their permanent places yet.
"For combat forces, it could be ready today. We could move in there, secure it and continue to build," said Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey, who serves as the senior enlisted leader for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Soldiers from 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., will begin moving in Dec.15 from their current home at Forward Operating Base Callahan, just a few meters up the road.
"During [Operation Iraqi Freedom] 1, we would have put concertina wire in a circle, sat in the center of it, and that would have been our patrol base. Today, we like to make things better for the Soldiers. For the basics: for Soldiers to have a place to sleep with temperature controlled air, whether it be air conditioning or heat, inside ... running water to be able to take a shower ... pulling a ([obile Kitchen Trailer] in there."
The reason for all the construction is that the coalition forces are closing a larger base to turn over to Iraq's ministry of trade and some of the Soldiers are headed to the JSS. This will have an immediate, positive impact on the base's neighborhood.
"It's going to increase commerce in the area," said Maj. Geoff Greene, who serves as the executive officer of the 1-68 AR.
The base, slated for closure, is currently on a major road. Because of the secured access points, traffic congestion frequently occurs.
"The Sha'ab road, we have it closed to big trucks; trucks have to divert from this area, and it's taking commerce away from the area," said Greene, a native of Lawrenceville, Ga.
The Security Agreement recently signed between the Iraqi and American governments and takes effect Jan. 1, 2009, states that all U.S. military patrols must have an Iraqi security forces component present. There is an Iraqi national police battalion based at JSS Basateen.
"It's just more conducive for the American forces to be housed and based with the Iraqi security forces," said Dailey, a native of Palmerton, Pa. "That way, when they go out each day, they can link together; they can do missions together; they can do mission planning together, and they can really work together to rebuild the area they're responsible for."
Dailey said he believes that the joint patrols will send a positive message to the area residents.
"It builds the trust. The people see us together; they know that this is coming to an end, that security is established in the city," said Dailey. "The ultimate goal is to have the Iraqi's to be able to secure Iraq ... and it's moving towards that."
| Date Taken: | 12.10.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2008 09:24 |
| Story ID: | 27445 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 138 |
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