Photo By Maj. Aaron Testa | Thomas Lynch (left), the team leader for the Provincial Reconstruction Team-Baghdad,...... read more read more
BAGHDAD – The Joint Reconstruction Operations Center was officially deactivated April 27 at its headquarters in Baghdad's International Zone. The ceremony, a celebration of sorts, was filled with excitement and pride for their accomplishments and contributions to Baghdad's reconstruction over the past four years.
The JROC was created Sept. 14, 2006, to support the Baghdad rule of law, and has assisted in the completion of $1.5 billion worth of clean water, sewer, electrical power, solid waste, and road projects throughout the Baghdad province.
"The overall mission of our efforts in this arena was to facilitate restoration and improvement of essential services in Iraq," said Brig. Gen. Glenn C. Hammond III, commander of the 16th Engineer Brigade.
The brigade was responsible for providing operational support to the JROC through Maj. Don Westfall, the JROC operations officer, and Sgt. Andy Carson, the operations non-commissioned officer.
According to JROC Director, Col. Jeffrey Liethen, a full-time National Guardsman from Wis., the JROC's mission has evolved over the past four years.
"The JROC mission was originally to support the Baghdad Security Plan by providing a common operating picture of all non-kinetic projects and programs," said Liethen. "The mission later changed and expanded to tracking, planning, coordinating, synchronizing, and assisting the execution of all projects and programs in support of construction operations in the Baghdad province."
According to Westfall, it was difficult to keep track of the roles and responsibilities of the many different entities working in Baghdad during the early stages of the reconstruction. The JROC's mission was to resolve these issues.
"JROC would artfully weave their way through those impediments and discreetly resolve minor issues to bring a project to fruition," said Hammond.
"It eliminated wasted time and energy and brought a concerted effort to the process," said Westfall.
Key players in reconstruction included the U.S. Army, the Provincial Reconstruction Team – Baghdad, the United States Army Corp of Engineers, the Gulf Region District, the United States Agency for International Development, and a host of others.
Westfall thinks that the greatest impact from the closure of the facility may be the loss of continuity.
"There was a multitude of expertise in the office. Knowing the history of projects and the development plan allows people to see the bigger picture," said Westfall.
One of the reasons the JROC has been so effective is because of the networks that have been built between the team members and government of Iraq officials.
"It's like a friendship; over time you accumulate a history of interaction with another person, you start to know how they think, how they do things, and how to depend on them to get you through the tough times," said Westfall. "The JROC had many connections to many different people and organizations."
When looking back at all of the contributions and accomplishments of the JROC, it is difficult to see which were most significant.
Senior Electrical Engineer, Josh Ledra, who has been with the JROC since September 2006, believes that providing Baghdad's neighborhoods with reliable electricity has been the JROC's greatest contribution.
"Approximately $12 million in supervisory control and data acquisition equipment, training, and technical support was provided to install the Baghdad Rusafa SCADA System at over 60 33/11kV substations," said Ledra.
These systems monitor, control and operate the substations from the Waziriya Main Distribution Control Center.
Phillip Willis, the senior project engineer, has been with the JROC since July 2007.
Willis says the JROC's most important contribution has been its support of the rehabilitation of the Jadriya Raw Water Pump Station and construction and startup of the Sadr City Water Treatment Plant.
Westfall also finds it difficult to name which of the JROC's contributions were most significant.
"Each impacted the people of Baghdad in different ways from better water to drink, better health care, better schools, better hospitals, cleaner streets, generally a better way of life," said Westfall.
The closure of the JROC coincides with the drawdown of U.S. troops and the completion of many of Baghdad's reconstruction projects.
"We are handing the reins over to the government of Iraq, whose ability to address their infrastructure issues is only delayed by our involvement at this point," said Westfall.
Westfall feels comfortable that the government of Iraq will be able to fill the void left by the JROC.
"The JROC has been downsized over the course of the last two years. Each time, someone else fills the gap that is created," said Westfall.
"JROC's performance was not one that received great fanfare or receipt of laurels, but conducting themselves as U.S. Army engineers so often do, as 'the quiet professionals,' they accomplished so much for the nation of Iraq," said Hammond. "In doing so, JROC demonstrated to many different levels of government, public service and industry how much can be accomplished through compromise and cooperation."
The JROC's mission will be carried on by the Provincial Reconstruction Team – Baghdad, which is taking on some of the mission tracking, and U.S. Division – Center and U.S. Forces – Iraq, who will continue to provide military support into the future.
| Date Taken: | 04.27.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2010 14:34 |
| Story ID: | 49367 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 488 |
| Downloads: | 241 |
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