Removing a bridge across the Tigris River

Photo By Dustin Gautney | The sun sets behind Soldiers from the 239th Multi-Role Bridge Company, from Granite City, Ill., working to clear debris from the Qayyarah Bridge, before being able to remove the temporary bridge that has served the Qayyarah people for nearly four years, June 20.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, IRAQ

06.20.2010

Story by Spc. Dustin Gautney 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – The roar of boats cutting though the swift waters of the Tigris River filled the air as U.S. Soldiers worked tirelessly, scraping away years of rock and dirt built upon a once-temporary bridge. The bridge, which stood for nearly four years as a temporary fixture, after the original was destroyed by a terrorist truck bomb, disappeared overnight as the local populace slept.

The permanent bridge was reconstructed and reopened to the public, June 20.

The removal of the temporary bridge in Qayyarah, Iraq, was over in an instant for the of the 239th Multi-Role Bridge Company, as well as Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. The operation proved to be an example of military efficiency, as all evidence of the bridge was removed within 24 hours of arriving to the site.

“We stay pretty busy constantly building, repairing, or even removing bridges,” said Spc. Matthew Ellard, 239th MRB Company, and a Granite City, Ill., native.

Based out of Balad Airbase, in western Iraq, the unit is currently one of only two multi-role bridge companies currently active in Iraq, said Ellard.

“Basically, in covering all of western Iraq we’re constantly travelling and our vehicles already have over a million miles combined on them,” Ellard said.

The Qayyarah Bridge, a military pontoon bridge, was meant to be a temporary fix until a more permanent structure was constructed, said Spc. Andrew Chetta, 239th MRB Company, and a Granite City, Ill., native.

“Because this is a floating bridge, it required us to use about a dozen boats to move each individual section across the river to be loaded onto the trucks,” said Chetta. “The difficulty is before moving each section, they must be cleared of all debris before it can be folded.”

“This can be an arduous process,” agreed Ellard.

“Because the bridge is covered with four years of sand and rocks, we have to pump water from the Tigris River to loosen the impacted debris before we can separate the bridge. It’s pretty tough work, but this is just another day for us,” said Ellard.

After clearing the bridge, the support cables holding the bridge in place were detached and removed. Each section was then controlled by the boats, Chetta said.

“Doing this by moonlight is a tough and dangerous job. However, everyone takes safety extremely seriously. Everyone works in buddy teams, wears life vests and has chem-lights, so the divers can spot them from the water,” said Chetta.

The workload and mileage shows no sign of letting up for the bridge company, who soon will be the last remaining unit of its kind in Iraq.

“Starting next month, it’ll only be us in Iraq when it comes to anything having to do with bridges, so we’ll probably put another million miles on our trucks before we return to the states,” said Chetta.

However with the daunting task of providing bridge support for the entire country of Iraq, Chetta is not discouraged.

“We aren’t too worried about the upcoming workload. We all love our jobs, and wouldn’t trade that for anything,” Chetta said.

• Date Taken: 06.20.2010
• Date Posted: 06.26.2010 06:45
• Story ID: 52018
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, IQ