Iraq Healing

An Iraqi businessman waits as local officials, Iraqi security forces and Coalition Soldiers check his paperwork, Feb. 20, before providing a $2,500 grant to help kick-start his business in Saydiyah. (U.S.Army photo by Capt. Mark Miller)

. New hope for Baghdad shop owners by Capt. Mark Miller 1st Infantry Division BAGHDAD (March 6, 2008) — Money is always a concern for those running a business. Start-up capital is one of the most difficult obstacles for entrepreneurs starting a new business in the United States because the businesses often do not have enough capitol to stay above water. Iraqi shop owners on Spruce Street in northern Saydiyah know and understand this problem as well; on, Feb. 20, they lined up to receive micro-grants from soldiers of 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. Seven shop owners were provided grants, totaling $17,500. Another 13 grants, totaling $32,500, were provided to shop owners later in the week. “Each grant is for $2,500 and is intended to allow shop owners the freedom to purchase supplies or make improvements to their businesses,” said Staff Sgt. Ray Moore of Elgin, S.C., who serves as the non-commissioned officer in charge of civil military operations projects for the 4-64 Armored Regt. The Spruce Street market area is coming back to life, he said, with local residents moving back to the area. Stores are reopening and getting off the ground again, but shop owners are in need of funds to make repairs in addition to purchasing more stock. This is where the coalition forces micro-grant program comes in. Micro-grants are cash grants provided by coalition forces to assist in kick starting a free market economy. The grants are designed to stimulate economic growth at the lowest level, said Capt. David Cox, a Winchester, Va., native, who serves as a 4-64 Armored Regt. civil military affairs officer. “You can’t start an economy from the top,” he said. “It just doesn’t work.” As this and other programs like it continue to progress, it is hoped Iraqis will have the opportunity to successfully fund their own businesses and compete fairly in a new free market economy

http://www.centcom.mil/en/news/1401.html

Soldiers open a railroad gate at Camp Taji as an Iraqi train approaches.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jerome Bishop)

Taji rails open for first time since 2003
by Sgt. Jerome Bishop
2nd Stryker Brigade

CAMP TAJI (March 7, 2008) — The railroad lines of the Taji Qada, north of Baghdad, have laid dormant since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, but as a result of the efforts of Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, the first train let loose a thunderous blast of its horn March. 5, as it slowly rolled through the gates of Camp Taji.

"This particular train … is part of a proof of principle,” said Cpt. James Kerns, a Harrison County, Ky., native, who serves as the assistant operations officer for the Base Defense Operations Command (BDOC), Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

"(This mission was executed) to facilitate the Iraqi railroad infrastructure improvement so they can, in the future, utilize the train and rail system to carry goods."

With a functioning rail system, the Iraqi Security Forces can benefit from the results as well as the people of Iraq."It's an enduring mission. The Iraqi railroads are being put back in, and it's going to change the face of Taji," said Maj. Henry McNealy, a Dewey Beach, Del., native, who serves as the operations officer for the BDOC. "It'll become a consistent train; hopefully, over time, the infrastructure of Iraq will be rebuilt."

The train is a big piece of getting Iraq back on line, McNealy added.

"Every year, something big usually happens – last year it was getting the oil lines back up – the electric lines running again, and this year it'll probably be getting the rail going all the way from Mosul to Baghdad – being unimpeded by criminal elements, al-Qaeda in Iraq or special groups,” he explained.

Soldiers of the 2nd Bn., 11th FA Regt., took part in the operation by providing security alongside their Iraqi Army counterparts.

The leg work, as far as conducting, maintaining and navigating the locomotive to Camp Taji, was performed by the Government of Iraq with minimal Coalition assistance, said Kern.

"We're facilitating the force protection requirements to bring the train in safely," he explained.

Among the benefits the Government of Iraq is likely to gain, one of the greatest is getting more equipment from place to place without putting Iraqi or Coalition forces on dangerous roads.

"This is going to help out a lot if the train makes it every time. If you have two or three guys in a truck, you'll have 50 guys driving a bunch of smaller trucks. (With the rail system operational), you'll have less guys out there on the road and less chances of casualties happening," said 1st Sgt. Dwalyn Dasher, a Jesup, Ga., native, who serves with Battery A, 2-11 FA Regt. Battery B provided the bulk of the force protection measures at the Camp Taji train yard.

In addition to contributing to military operations throughout the country, a functioning rail system also provides the potential for a larger benefit for the average Iraqi.

http://www.centcom.mil/en/news/1409.html