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Fixing a dam police station

Jul- 3-2006 » Filed Under: TF Band of Brothers

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by Claude D. McKinney
Gulf Region North, US Army Corps of Engineers

Mosul, Iraq — The Tigris and Euphrates are ancient rivers with long histories associated with the “Fertile Crescent” and caravan trade routes to and from the east. Far upstream on the Tigris River, north of Noah’s burial place, is a large dam which impounds water from the river to form a 80 kilometer-long lake. In addition to holding back the water, this dam has an electric power generating plant which provides most of the electricity to the 1.5 million people who live in the city of Mosul 40 kilometers away. There is also a recreation community, which in time, may grow to be a large and popular water resort. On the north side of the dam complex is a community of 4,000; housing those who service the dam, the power generating plant, and provide the security for the area. Several renovation projects are ongoing within that community. There is a school being built, upgrades to the Police Station, some road improvements, and structural enhancements to the dam’s base. The renovations on the Police station are now complete.

The upgrades to this refurbished station include both interior and exterior improvements. Outside, installation of a perimeter wall with force protection wire and guard towers has made the station a safer place to work in. Within the station house there are new electrical services; to include wiring and fixtures. Also installed was a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system for the working and living areas as well as new plumbing throughout. A fresh coat of paint inside and out gives it all a new look.

“The completion of this police station goes a long way to engendering confidence in the local Iraqi government’s ability to protect its citizens,” said Sheryl Leeper, the area engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Mosul. The Corps had contract and quality assurance oversight of this project, ensuring that what the contract called for was delivered. “As the citizens feel safe and secure in their ability to move about their community, other aspects of democracy will be able to take root and lead to a strong and free Iraq,” said Leeper.

This police station is one of more than 30 police stations receiving upgrades within Iraq’s seven Northern provinces. The $61 thousand spent on this renovation put 15 Iraqis to work for seven months. These police station upgrades, together with the training academies and border fort initiatives, all go a long way to providing a secure Iraq, moving it forward along its path to become a strong sovereign nation.


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