New York Banker Helps Rebuild Iraq Infrastructure

Photo By Sgt. Waine Haley | One of the projects that the city of Samarra has abandoned during the regime change has bee an electrical substation. Capt. Peter Hegseth, Assistant Civil Affairs Officer, 3/187th Infantry Regiment is working with the newly elected government to restart the project.  

SAMARRA, IRAQ

03.20.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

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

SAMARRA, Iraq (March 15, 2006) - A New York City banker steps into the Army's Civil Affairs world to help stabilize and rebuild Samarra's infrastructure.

A member of the New Jersey National Guard, 1st Lieutenant Peter Hegseth is now serving as the Assistant Civil Affairs Officer, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, known as the Iron Rakkasans of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq.

As a Civil Affairs Officer stationed at Forward Operation Base Brassfield-Mora, he is able to assist both the Army and the local population of Samarra.

"We [Army Civil Affairs] are teaming up with the people of Samarra to help their government with civil affairs type projects," Hegseth said. "I've been in this position for about three weeks. This position continuously develops into different responsibilities."

The Civil Affairs team is currently working with the leaders of Samarra on more than 30 different projects. The foremost projects are security, water treatment facilities, electric substations, waste management and financial institutions.

With a background in banking and politics, Hegseth has an insight into many aspects of Civil Affairs. One of his many tasks is to evaluate the cities" ability to sustain a financial institution.

"There are no banks in Samarra," said Hegseth. "We are trying to evaluate if it's feasible to open one here. Security is a big issue with that -- as are most things in Samarra."

During Hussein's era there was a small bank and many city utilities, but all were under-developed.

"Tikrit [is] where he (Hussein) is from, therefore Samarra was a second priority," Hegseth said. "It was left behind and ignored."

Hegseth and the Civil Affairs team are trying to coach the leadership of Samarra on how to obtain the funding to bring the city up to proper standards. At this point they are relying on Coalition Forces for this funding.

"We don't want a lot of U.S. money coming into the area," Hegseth said. "With this money comes inflated prices and more security issues. For us to think we can just give them money is over simplifying the problem."

The mayor and city council are reluctant to go to Tikrit. According to the Samarra leaders, they feel like their requests are being wrongly rejected. Hegseth and the Civil Affairs team are trying to teach the leaders how to create the political bonds they will need when Coalition Forces pull out of the city.

"When President Bush says, "They stand up " We stand down" it doesn't just apply to the military... it also applies to all...," Hegseth said.

"I majored in politics in college, so I've been very interested in how the government and how politics work," Hegseth said. "Starting at the base level of the democratic institution has been a great learning experience."

"Government needs to provide security and basic services," Hegseth said. "In America we tend to overlook that."

Working in this environment has taught Hegseth what is important to him both personally and professionally. He said the leadership challenges and problem solving he has learned here will assist him when he gets home.

"If you can solve a problem in Samarra, you should be able to solve a problem in the states," Hegseth said. "I think once we can smooth out some of the grievances that warfare brings, we will start to see the much needed improvements that we are looking for."

• Date Taken: 03.20.2006
• Date Posted: 03.20.2006 14:35
• Story ID: 5783
• Location: SAMARRA, IQ