Soldiers, Locals Fix Water Pipe

Capt. John Horning talks to leaders of Vin Jan Village and the Concerned Local Citizens during an operation to fi x a broken water pipe Dec. 5.

An Iraqi National Policeman pulls security while local contractors wait to fix a broken water pipe Dec. 5 in Vin Jan Village.

SGT. NATALIE ROSTEK
3RD HBCT, 3RD INF. DIV.

FOB HAMMER — Soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, along with Concerned Local Citizens, an Iraqi Emergency Response Force from Wassit and local contractors, conducted an operation to fix a broken water pipe Dec. 5 in Vin Jan Village.

“The water pipe had been broken for about four or five days,” said Capt. John Horning, Co. C commander. “That is their main source of clean drinking water. Without it, citizens might have to resort to boiling water they get out of the river and if that doesn’t kill all the bacteria, they may get dysentery and other waterborne diseases. The water pipe is vital to the health of the community.”

The mission began as Soldiers from Company E, 1-15th Inf. Regt., and Concerned Local Citizens moved down the route to Vin Jan Village in search of improvised explosive devices and any other signs of insurgent activity. Once the route was cleared, Company C Soldiers and the Iraqi ERF escorted a local repair crew to the busted water pipe for repair.

During the operation, Company C reported receiving small arms fire and indirect fire aimed in their direction. The repairs were close to completion, so the crew continued, Horning said.

When the pipe was repaired, the ERF began safely escorting the local contractors out of the area, Horning said. Horning believes the broken pipe was not accidental. “The water pipe is on a dividing line separating Sunni extremists and an area lived in by Shia citizens,” he said.

He is, however, satisfied that attacks have gone down significantly over the past few months. Even though they have received small arms fire twice while fixing the water pipe, Soldiers’ presence and determination motivate the citizens of Vin Jan Village.

“This shows we are willing to fight to help protect them,” Horning said. “It builds confidence and trust.” Horning has a positive outlook on the months ahead before the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team relinquishes command of their area of operation, expected to occur in June 2008. “I’m hoping to get additional essential services to the area,” he said.

“Things like a sustainable trash system … that is a direct impact on their health. I want to get a clinic built in Vin Jan Village, and a water well so they do not have to rely on the pipe and they can have their own fresh water.”