Photo By Sgt. Scott Wolfe | Lt. Col. Michael Shrout, commander of Task Force 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment,...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Scott Wolfe
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
BAGHDAD – Lt. Col. Michael Shrout, a native of Renton, Wash., and the commander of Task Force 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, announced the start of Operation Iron Gator, Jan. 8, with more than $2 million in funding for school refurbishments, the expansion of the Bawi Canal, construction of the Kanassa windmills and micro-grants for small businesses in Salman Pak.
The announcement was made at the ground breaking for the Mada'in high school refurbishment. The funding for the projects comes from the Commanders Emergency Relief Program and are intended to improve the infrastructure and quality of life in Salman Pak while building the capacity of the government agencies that operate and maintain schools and other public facilities.
"This is an important event," said Shrout. "The people of Marquez Mada'in, coalition forces, the Sawah [Sons of Iraq], and the Iraqi Security Forces have accomplished a great deal over the past year. We have built up great momentum and the progress needs to continue."
Without understanding between MND-B Soldiers and community leaders, improved services would not be possible and there would no progress or stability in the region, said Kadim Attia, chairman of the Marquez Mada'in Nahia Council.
"The progress in the region," he said, "depends on the willingness of the people and local government to push for [progress]."
Shrout included the school among the projects both underway and planned for in Operation Iron Gator.
"This is a great day for the young men of the Marquez Mada'in," he said. "Soon, their school will be refurbished by an Iraqi company, with local labor, secured by Iraqi Security Forces and the Sawah. I am pleased that coalition forces can play a part in the future of the Marquez Mada'in. We want to see you prosper."
Progress in the area is in the beginning stage, said Attia.
"Now we are able to rebuild," he said. "People are going back to their normal lives and security and reconciliation are taking place."
Additional measures are underway to progress continues.
"We will soon begin a major project to expand the capacity of the Bawi Canal to allow for a greater volume of water to flow through the canal, benefiting the entire Qada. There will be additional school projects and a major effort to work on the electrical power grid," said Shrout.
Each completed project is another marked advancement for the people of the area.
"This is a good beginning, a strong beginning," Attia said, after the first shovels of dirt were overturned and the ribbon was cut to mark the start of the school project and Operation Iron Gator.
| Date Taken: | 01.09.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.09.2009 11:02 |
| Story ID: | 28657 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 317 |
| Downloads: | 264 |
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