Grading and Excavation Contractor

Marines, Iraqis Rebuild

By Brian L. Lewis

The Marines were there to provide security while Iraqi contractors repaired the bridge.

A hole gaped where the explosives planted by insurgents demolished a section of Baghdad’s Wadi Hawran Bridge. Iraqi contractors were quick to devise a plan to allow passage through the area.

The bridge, which had been damaged by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, was one of the main supply routes between Baghdad and Albu Hyatt.

“We [were there] to provide security for the Iraqi contractors, allowing them to rebuild and repair the bypass running along the bridge,” says Staff Sergeant Christian D. Shostak, a squad leader with Mobile Assault Platoon with Weapons Company.

The Marines, alongside members of the Iraqi Army, arrived in the early hours of the morning and set up security on all sides of the bridge. The area was kept completely secure for the contractors to work.

Engineers from 1st Combat Engineer Battalion arrived soon after to place barriers to prohibit anyone from entering the area. The concern during the operation was not only that of keeping out insurgents but that of ensuring safety for unsuspecting drivers, as well.

“Basically, we [set up] a serpentine around the bridge, not only to make it difficult to maneuver a vehicle through at high speeds but to warn drivers about the bridge,” says Lance Corporal Tobias R. Plucinski, a motor transport operator attached to the engineers. “The barriers [were] aligned to point in the direction of the bypass we were repairing close by.” Iraqi contractors soon rolled in with trucks of gravel and machinery for roadwork.

“This shows we will not stand for terrorists in our area,” says Abdel Jabbar Barzan Himreen Al-Oubeidi, an Iraqi contractor assisting with the project. “If they destroy something, we shall rebuild it the next day. We will not back down.”

Young boys from ages six to 20 arrived to help with the project, showing that everyone in Baghdad is willing to work hard to ensure that the insurgency does not thrive.

In the late afternoon, the process was complete and the bypass road was finished. The bridge was still damaged, but because of the perseverance of those who worked that day, the Iraqi people now had a way to travel between the two cities.

“The Iraqis have proved they can always rebuild, no matter what the insurgents do to them,” says Shostak. “The insurgents thought they had hurt them, but they stood strong.”

Brian L. Lewis is lance corporal with the Second Marine Division in Iraq.

GEC - January 2008

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