Camp Ur Ribbon cutting

The Governor of the Dhi Qar Province, Iraq, along with Iraq Staff Brig. Gen Hassan, location commander for Camp Ur, cuts the ribbon to officially open the brand new facility built by ALMCO, a local contractor, overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and facilitated by the Logistics Military Advisory Team at Camp Ur, Iraq, March 28, 2010. Distinguished Visitors, U.S and coalition forces gathered together for a formal ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating 15 months of work by coalition forces and ALMCO, an Iraqi company at Camp Ur. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert. Released)

Camp Ur Ceremony

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Steven Ramsay, senior advisor, 4th Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division, Logistics Military Advisory Team, Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airman assigned to the U.S. Army discusses the Camp Ur project with Ms. Doris Turner, project engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer for Camp Ur during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony hosted by the LMAT at Camp Ur, Iraq, March 28, 2010. This ceremony celebrates the LMAT officially handing over the base to the Iraq Army With the completion of a warehouse, barracks, offices, latrines and a Large dining facility for the Location Command and training center. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert. Released)

Camp Ur turn-over

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Steven Ramsay, senior advisor, Logistics Military Advisory Team, Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airman assigned to the U.S. Army, 4th Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division, COB Adder and Iraq Army Staff Brig. Gen. Hassan, location commander, Camp Ur, officially sign the papers that hand-over Camp Ur to the Iraq Army March 28, 2010. Camp Ur, is a 15 month project by coalition forces and ALMCO, an Iraqi company who built a warehouse, numerous barracks, offices, latrines and a large dining facility for the location command and training center. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert. Released)

Camp Ur turnover

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Steven Ramsay, senior advisor, 4th Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division, Logistics Military Advisory Team, Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airman assigned to the U.S. Army presents a gift to Iraq Staff Brig. Gen Hassan, location commander for Camp Ur, a ceremonial plate signifying the lasting partnership between the Logistics Mission Advisory Team and Iraq Army during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Camp Ur, Iraq, March 28, 2010. The signing over of Camp Ur is another successful mission for the LMAT. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth Gilbert. Released)

USACE Turns over Iraqi Army post in Ancient Iraqi City

Published April 5, 2010
By Alicia Embrey
Gulf Region District

CAMP UR, Iraq -- With a snip of the ceremonial ribbon, Dhi Qar's Governor Aziz Kadum Alwan Al Ogheli and Ur Location Commander Brig. Gen. Hassen welcomed more than 300 guests to view the $27 million renovation and new construction at Camp Ur Location Command & Regional Training Center near Nasariyah, Iraq, March 28.

According to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region South District Commander, Col. Jeffry Knippel, completion of the location command represents principles from the area's historic past. "More than four thousand years ago, just a few miles from here, your ancestors celebrated the completion of the Ziggurat of Ur. At that time its completion and the city itself represented a time of peace, prosperity and progress. In the same way today, the completion of this Location Command and Training Center represents a step towards peace, prosperity and progress for the people of Iraq," said Knippel.

The project provides sustainment and life support for approximately 2,700 Iraqi Army Soldiers, plus training facilities. "What stands before us today are 48 facilities, 22 barracks to house 2,700 troops complete with showers and latrines. It also provides command and associated support facilities for the Iraqi Army," Knippel said. "There are two dining facilities with the capacity to feed 1,000 personnel during a sitting. There are nine administrative buildings such as headquarters, medical and classroom, and fifteen other miscellaneous utility buildings and force protection facilities"

Work on the installation included the repair and upgrade of the existing potable water and waste water treatment systems, an upgrade of the site's electrical system, construction of new roads and parking lots and construction of new officer, noncommissioned officer and enlisted billets. The contract also called for refurbishing the existing medical and dining facility, providing enhancements at the fire station and constructing new dining facility and latrines.

The $27 million ITAM-Army construction and renovation project was awarded to ALMCO Company in September 2008 and was completed in only 18 months by a team of 800 employees working two shifts.

Knippel asked the guests to take a moment to reflect on the significance of the day's events. "I ask all to take a moment and realize that what stands before you today is more than just some ground with some buildings, in some way it represents a modern Ziggurat dedicated to the commitment and teamwork of many hard working individuals. A monument that we can all be proud of as it reflects virtues we all hold dear," Knippel said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq has completed thousands of reconstruction projects in partnership with the government of Iraq. Since 2004, USACE has completed 5,257 projects throughout Iraq valued at more than $9.1 billion, and has more than 250 projects ongoing. The overall reconstruction effort in Iraq currently provides jobs for more than 20,000 Iraqis.