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Civil Affairs Soldiers Wear Many Hats in Samarra

Photo By Sgt. Waine Haley | A civilian contractor works on the new Iraqi Police Station. This is one of the...... read more read more

SAMARRA, IRAQ

03.20.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Sgt. Waine D. Haley
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

SAMARRA, Iraq (March 11, 2006) - Welcome to the world of Civil Affairs, where in one minute you could be drinking Chai tea with the mayor and the next minute you could be having a shoot-out with anti-Iraqi Forces.

Civil Affairs, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, known as the Iron Rakkasans, works with the civilian population in numerous ways. One of the most effective ways is to coach the local government on developing the infrastructure through numerous projects.

This Civil Affairs team monitors projects that are under construction in the city of Samarra. The CA team can make recommendations to the Samarra leadership and to Coalition forces.

"The Civil Affairs team in Samarra has about 30 different projects going on at this time," said Capt. Chris Brawley, Civil Military Affairs Officer, Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 3 /187th Infantry Regiment. "They range from improving the electrical power grid, water treatment facilities and many others different projects ... too many to list."

One of the latest projects important to the locals, as well as the international community, is the Golden Mosque. This religious landmark was severely damaged by anti-Iraqi forces in February.

"The US has offered to help the locals rebuild the mosque, but the Samarra government wants to accomplish it on their own," said 1st Lieutenant Peter Hegseth, Assistant Civil Affairs Officer.

Samarra's economy was based on tourism, but since anti-Iraqi forces have destroyed many of the tourist sights, the local government has to find other means of revenue, said Staff Sgt. Robert Nevarez, Team Leader, Troop 1461, Tactical Psychological Operations Company assisting the Civil Affairs Team.

The CA team is working with the government to help find revenue for the city. Revenue can be established through rebuilding of infrastructure. Infrastructure contracts can bring in millions of dollars, but it's not that simple. The main issues are funding and security.

Funding can come from two primary sources, one of which is the Iraqi government. The funds will start in Baghdad and trickle through Tikrit then to the city of Samarra. Another is from Coalition Forces, although the Coalition are attempting to have the local government be more self-sufficient.

One recent mission showed the diversity required of a Civil Affairs Soldier. Following a meeting with the mayor and city council of Samarra, Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Soldiers volunteered to assist on a raid in an area of town that was thought to harbor an Al-Qaeda leader. While the CA team was cordoning off a block of the neighborhood, they were hit with two rocket propelled grenades. The CA team immediately fell into their role as Soldiers and returned fire upon the attackers.

After the engagement, the team put their Civil Affairs" hats back on and assessed the damage to local civilian homes and businesses. If there was any damage, the team offered compensation. Some locals took the compensation and some refused it, but all were cooperative with the CA team.

The Civil Affairs has many different duties at many different levels. Civil Affairs Soldiers are uniquely qualified to project a positive image of the U.S. Army to the civilian population they serve. The more the Army can do that, the more chances they have to connect with the local populace and provide for a safe and secure Iraq.