Iraqis park themselves in new barracks

Courtesy Photo | BAGHDAD, Iraq-Sgt. Ciro G. Romero and Pfc. Timothy J. Russo mark their next cut here July 14. Romero, of Queens, N.Y., and Russo, of Newport Richey, Fla., both serve with B Company, 92nd Engineer Battalion. More than a platoon of B Company Soldiers are currently turning a parking garage into a barracks for Iraqi Army soldiers.  

09.27.2005

Courtesy Story

100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Sgt. Andrew A. Miller

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HONOR, Iraq--With the smell of sawdust owning the air, the Soldiers cut and hammer away at their latest project, which aims to turn water into wine.

Well, maybe not exactly. But the Bravo Company, 92nd Engineer Battalion Soldiers are turning a parking garage into a barracks. This complicated project and others like it are critical to the ongoing shift of responsibility from U.S. to Iraqi units.

The newly converted barracks will soon be a home for soldiers of the Iraqi Army.
Sgt. 1st Class Sheila Stewart of B Co., the noncommissioned officer in charge of the site, said projects like these have a special importance. She sees her work here as a way to help the Iraqi Army along, thus reducing the burden and perhaps the need for her fellow American Soldiers.

Her commander agrees.

"Anything we can do to get (Iraqi Security Forces) set so they can take on the responsibilities for their mission helps," said Lt. Col. Keith Landry, 92nd Eng. Bn. Commander, who was visiting his Soldiers and the work site.

This is not the first project the 92nd Engineers have tackled in support of the Iraqi Security Forces. It is, however, significant.

"This is probably the largest single project that we've worked on," said Landry.

The former garage will be divided into 20 large rooms, with a total capacity of more than 800 soldiers, he added.

Stewart says her engineers are more than up to the task. The Soldiers began June 21 and plan to complete the transformation in just over a month, Stewart said.

To accomplish their mission, the engineers are building walls, running wires, and fixing an existing drainage system. The carpenters, electricians and plumbers of the crew each face unique challenges with this project.

Spc. Michael A. Hasselbrick, an electrician with B Co., said Iraqi wiring is a little different than in the U.S.

"In the states, cables are labeled," said Hesselbrick. "Not here," he added with a smile.
But Hasselbrick is lucky, he said, because his supervisor has experience with electrical work here from a previous tour of duty. Accordingly, he was able to watch and learn.
If it wasn't for Staff Sgt. Martin Clark, he said, "I would have been lost."

Several Soldiers at the site said they value these kinds of challenges.

"It's a good experience," said Hasselbrick, "You learn a lot when there are so many obstacles to overcome."

Supplying this massive project has been a challenge, although that job is now nearly complete.

"We've sent out several (large cargo trucks) and trailer loads full of wood," Landry said, "and right now we're just waiting on the air conditioner units to finish the project up."

Currently, the Soldiers working on the project seem to be enjoying themselves as they work, despite the cruel heat. With all the sights, sounds and smells of a construction site in the U.S., it might be easy to concentrate on work and forget where the site lies on the map. As all the works adds up, an old parking garage begins to look like a military barracks.

Whether they are building for their fellow U.S. service members or for their Iraqi allies, Landry said, the 92nd Engineers love to get out and do the job.

"We're doing a lot of good things here," he said, looking proud.

• Date Taken: 09.27.2005
• Date Posted: 09.27.2005 16:13
• Story ID: 3131