Brigade Enters Fourth Month In Iraq

Brigade enters fourth month in Iraq
Sledgehammer soldiers building a better Iraq

BY MICK WALSH

The 3rd Heavy Combat Brigade Team began its fourth of 15 months in Iraq on July 1 and things are going better than expected, according to its commander.

"I'm amazed at what our magnificent Sledgehammer soldiers have been able to accomplish," said Col. Wayne Grigsby Jr.

As the third of five brigades called upon by the Pentagon in early January to "surge" forward into Iraq and implement the Baghdad Security Plan, the 3,800 soldiers from Fort Benning have been right in the middle of some of the heaviest fighting of the war.

And they've done it while finding conditions on their arrival to be a bit, uh, spartan.

"What's so astonishing is that we have built everything from the ground up," said Grigsby, who pointed out that no coalition forces had ever occupied what is now Forward Operating Base Hammer or any of the smaller Combat Outposts where brigade soldiers are stationed.

While much of the brigade's time is spent disrupting the flow of accelerants into Baghdad and either capturing or killing insurgents, terrorists and criminals, Grigsby also points out that his soldiers have already forged bonds between themselves and the local populace.

Over the past week, brigade soldiers have been involved with such things as sponsoring a medical clinic, renovating a youth center, fixing a water pump and meeting with local officials.

Here's a look:

Free medical clinic

Brigade soldiers conducted an outdoor medical clinic earlier this week at a school in Nahrwan. Medics set up three treatment stations under a camouflaged net surrounded by concertina wire while the 3rd Battalion, 1st Cavalry Regiment's loud speaker broadcast a message to villagers announcing the opportunity to receive free medical care.

During the broadcast, villagers from the area began forming two lines, male and female, waiting to be seen. The separate lines were set to ensure female medics were available to see female patients.

According to Pfc. Kristina Sutton, a medic from Springfield, Mass., some patients stood in line for almost four hours.

The medics saw ailments such as back, stomach, head, skin and upper-respiratory problems and were able to treat those with medicine bought from a local pharmacist.

The medics saw approximately 225 patients.

New youth center

Elements of the Fort Benning-based 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team are helping to improve life for Iraqi youth by assisting with a renovation project that will cost up to $500,000.

Iraqi contractors, youth center leaders and members of the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment and the 97th Civil Affairs Battalion, which is currently attached to 3-1 Cav, met last week in Jisr Diyala to discuss the planned improvements.

Construction is expected to begin in late July and will include renovations to the weight room, sewing room, library and arts and crafts room. Coalition forces are also expecting new computers and exercise equipment for the center.

"The renovations of the youth center will help show the youth of Jisr Diyala that there are other activities out there that can help improve their lives," said Capt. Jimmy Hathaway of Columbus, the 3-1's Headquarters Company commander. "We are going to turn this youth center into a world class facility."

Meetings

Brigade leaders, the Iraqi Security Force and the Mada'in Qada mayor met at Forward Operating Base Hammer this week to increase communication among the three elements.

Meeting in the brigade's new Tactical Operations Center, the group reviewed combined operations, lessons learned and future projects in the Mada'in Qada (qada is equivalent to a county in the United States).

"I'm glad we had this meeting," Grigsby, the brigade commander, told the group. "We want to assist all of you in getting the help you need and we will use our contacts in Baghdad to do that."

Al-Rubay'l, the mayor of Mada'in Qada, reported that the people in his province are very supportive of coalition forces. He explained that he had witnessed many young men volunteering to join Iraqi Security Forces so they can help expel al-Qaida from the province.

"Soon they will be ready to fight and take the lead in operations," explained Al-Rubay'l through a translator. "The people here are willing to help themselves, but we still need support. The insurgents, we must admit, are well equipped and have military training. They are using innocent women and children as shields. Innocent people would become targets. American help is still needed."

Water pump repair

Lt. Col. Ryan J. Kuhn, the brigade's deputy commander, complimented the Qada mayor for his government's work to refurbish the Al Bawi water pump station this week. The pump station was sabotaged in early March, prior to the arrival of the 3rd Brigade. When fully-operational, the pump station provides more than 90 percent of the water needed in the Mada'in Qada.

"Under the guidance of the mayor, we are almost done with the project," said Kuhn. "The pumps are almost up and ready. This is good, but it also makes the station a target. It has to be protected."

The 3rd Brigade public affairs office contributed to this report.