Photo By Staff Sgt. Francis Horton | Air Force Lt. Col. Craig Fery (right) inspects concrete pulled from the new airfield...... read more read more
COB BASRA, Iraq — As U.S. Forces continue to build up the infrastructure of Iraq, service members are working to make living in Iraq a bit more bearable for everyone.
"We take care of all facility engineering tasks on Basra," said Air Force Maj. Trevor L. Smith Sr., outgoing officer in charge of the Facility Engineering Team on Contingency Operating Base Basra and member of the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group under the 34th Infantry Division.
The FET has been in a state of transition as they prepare to redeploy back to the states. Smith's successor, Air Force Lt. Col. Craig Fery of the 732nd AEG, has visited job sites to check on current and possible future projects, Fery said.
When the U.S. Army took over COB Basra, there wasn't much in the way of comforts built, Smith said. In the last few months, paved roads and a new USO have cropped up thanks to the FET.
When planners decide to build something, whether it is a new set of Living Sustainment Areas or latrines, contracts are drawn up and local contractors bid on them, Smith said.
Iraqi contractors are the first to bid on the contracts, providing economical support for the country and starting the process of turning the base over to the Iraqi people.
Currently, the biggest project is the eventual turnover of the Basrah International Airport. The FET is currently overseeing the construction of an aircraft parking lot for military use, Fery said. The military will continue to use the airport for flights.
"Contractors are self sustained," Smith said.
When a company is hired, they provide their own labor, supplies, tools and management. The Joint Contracting Command, Iraq, draws up contracts and presents them for bidding.
As the local contractors work, the FET checks up on the various projects they are working on. The team makes sure the projects are being completed on time and to meet land and building specifications.
"Things are always changing on the COB," said Fery. "We have to police the management of the land."
During the turnover, Smith has been showing Fery some of the major construction sites on post.
The two are going over the various elements of the COB and the current state of buildings, as well as introducing Fery to the key customers and challenges present, Smith said.
"We are focusing on sustainment," Fery said.
Most of the necessary construction has been finished or is currently in progress, and the FET will work on sustaining the quality of life for the service members stationed here. Things like clean water, roads and sewage will have to be constantly monitored.
Construction projects continue to start here, and though sustainment and quality of life is important, the FET is keeping green as well.
"Environmentally, we want to leave the base better than we found it," Fery said. Once the eventual handoff to the Iraqi government comes, Basra will be a base with sustained living conditions and plenty of assets for the Iraqi soldiers.
The U.S. presence in Iraq may be winding down for American troops, but the FET is here to make every day until we leave as pleasant as possible.
| Date Taken: | 12.17.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2009 01:16 |
| Story ID: | 42861 |
| Location: | BASRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 283 |
| Downloads: | 208 |
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