Soldiers Work Toward Iraqi Province's Future

By Army 1st Lt. Chad Cooper
Special to American Forces Press Service

Dec. 23, 2009 - The soldiers of "A" Company, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, are leading the way in the "advise and assist" mission of the 1st Armored Division's 4th Brigade. The company's mission is to assist the State Department's provincial reconstruction team in building a better future for the people of Iraq's Muthanna province.

The soldiers provide military movement teams to protect the provincial reconstruction team members as they go about their daily tasks. They also manage the Commander's Emergency Relief Program, which funds construction projects, and provide a purchasing officer and pay agent to manage projects and pay local contractors.

A light week for the company's 2nd Platoon started with a mission to visit the site for a new school and to make a payment to the contractor for another school that's scheduled to be rebuilt.

The next day, the platoon visited another project that's providing electrical capabilities for a school.

A change of pace and scenery came the following day, when the soldiers went to the Muthanna College of Agriculture to check on equipment that was purchased for them.

"The soldiers of 2nd Platoon enjoy these missions," said Army 1st Lt. Dale Cox, "because it allows them to see how their work is improving the people of Iraq's lives now, and in the future when our mission is complete and we return to our families and friends."

(Army 1st Lt. Chad Cooper serves with the 1st Armored Division's 4th Brigade.)