Civil Engagement Program helps prepare Iraq for future

Published March 17, 2010
By Senior Airman Wes Carter
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- As the United States prepares to draw down troops in Iraq, efforts are being made to ensure the effect on the country's infrastructure is minimal. Preparing Iraq to support the newfound democracy is now the number one mission for American forces.

Bases across Iraq engage local communities through a plethora of programs designed to train, educate and assist Iraqi people. As the largest base in Iraq, and one that employs more than 1,500 Iraqis, JBB's Civil Engagement Program maximizes the base's resources and abilities and helps more than 800,000 Iraqi's Salah ad Din Province. It's a joint effort between the U.S. Department of State, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment based at JBB.

"The program provides a communication channel between the three entities, which have different missions to support a common goal - working with the Iraqis at the local level to help develop a secure and stable Iraq," said Lt. Col. Michael Weiss the Civil Engagement Coordinator.

Previously, the United States' main goal has been to fight insurgents in pursuit of establishing a representative democracy in Iraq. As that goal continues to come to fruition, as seen in the turnout for the recent election, the next step is to prepare for the day American forces leave.

"We know we will be here through 2011," said Ben Fluhart, the Department of State Provincial Reconstruction Team chief. "Providing support during this time will go a long way towards developing a good long term relationship between Iraq and the U.S."

The engagement efforts are not explicit to just a few base organizations, but are being made by units and people across JBB to assist the 1st Bn, 28th Inf. Regt. in their support of local governance, economy and security.

"The program is not an organization that is doing everything. Civil engagement is more of a vessel to help coordinate and execute," Colonel Weiss said. "The base's involvement stems from programs and initiatives being accomplished by the theater hospital, the fire department, security forces, Army personnel on base and many more JBB organizations. Altogether these efforts show that JBB is a good neighbor to the Iraqi people."

Since the program's inception, JBB has taken part in many outreach programs in the community including Iraqi Kids Days, training Iraqi firefighters, teaching businesses how to compete for contracts and providing continuing education courses for Iraqi doctors and nurses.

"Iraq is full of skilled and talented professionals," Mr. Fluhart said. "For example, the doctors here are highly skilled but they haven't been exposed to the latest techniques or technology. Through training we can bring them up to speed."

Healthcare and the economy are important, however, some initiatives are a little simpler in nature.

"We have really touched on nearly every aspect of this base's operations, from how we get our water, to where we dump our garbage," said Army Capt. Paul Thomas, a company commander within the 1st Bn, 28th Inf. Regt., in preparation for when Iraqi military forces take over the base's operations after 2011. "The Civil Engagement Program has made massive strides towards closing the gap between the base and the community.

"JBB and the Iraqi community are really poised to move forward together following an overwhelmingly successful Parliamentary election," added Captain Thomas.

As Iraq prepares for a "New Dawn", the name for the phase of US operations that begins this fall, the need for the Civil Engagement Program cannot be overstated. The program's efforts will continue to prepare Iraq to be a sovereign country and strategic long-term partner.