Iraq
MUQDADIYAH – U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers are collaborating on a bridge and road project to span the Diyala River, connecting villages here to the thriving city markets.While the nearest market is tantalizingly within view just across the river, farmers here currently have no way to cross the flow. They must travel 24 miles around the river to reach the market, the place to sell crops, livestock and purchase food and supplies for their families.
For farmers on foot herding livestock, roads leading up to the new bridge will be expansive for this purpose.
"The bridge and road will allow people in the area villages to come in to the markets which will help increase our economy," said Zaid Abrahim Hassan, mayor of Muqdadiyah.
Brig. Gen. Pat Donahue, deputy commander of United States Division - North, visited the bridge location recently to assess what’s needed to complete the project, as his troops with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division are spearheading the plans.
"By coming out here I can see how important this project is to the community and report the value of it based on what I'm hearing," said Donahue.
This is also a sign of the great progress being made in the area.
"We are building confidence between our forces and the people in the area to build one team," said Lt. Col. Haban Khalil Hassan, commander of the Emergency Response Force, 10th Battalion Iraqi Army. "This shows that everything is going well while we are working hard every day to keep the city secure."
"Iraq passed through a difficult time," said Mayor Hassan. "With the help of community organizations and coalition forces we are able to create things like this bridge that increase our security and our economic stability."
January 17, 2010: Written by 135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Sunday
Distributed by www.SupportOurTroops.org
