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Tremendous Construction Accomplishments by U.S. Army in Iraq

		U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Chris Edwards of Michigan helps oversee construction of a Tigris River water treatment plant. (PRNewsFoto/U.S. Army) BAGHDAD IRAQ

Data Shows More than 1,100 Schools Rehabilitated and 137 Primary Healthcare
  Centers Constructed, Serving a Population of More Than 5 Million Iraqis.

    BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the lead up to
the fifth anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 19, the U.S. Army
released comprehensive figures on relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq
in critical areas including education, healthcare, security,
infrastructure, democracy programs and training.



    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080318/AQTU152)
    Highlights of U.S. Army-led initiatives include:

    --  An estimated 4.1 million more Iraqis have access to drinkable water
        than did before the Army projects
    --  Addition of 1,560 megawatts of capacity to existing electrical
        infrastructure has created a more equitable distribution of power
    --  U.S. involvement has increased the capacity for oil production from
        2.0 million to 3.0 million barrels per day

    Maj. David Noble is serving a 12-month tour of duty which started in
June 2007 and to date, has overseen the design, construction and completion
of more than 100 projects worth an estimated $245 million. Most notably, he
has helped renovate elementary schools.



    "Sometimes the locals don't even know I exist, that I am pushing the
construction forward, or that I am the person making their lives easier,"
said Maj. Noble. "Selfless service goes a long way, and I wouldn't have it
any other way."

    All of the training, rebuilding, peacekeeping and civilian security
efforts over the past five years in Iraq are now recognized as part of the
Army's "Stability Operations." The goal is to equip and empower the Iraqi
government and Iraqi Security Forces to be able to govern and protect its
citizens. Iraqi Security Forces are now taking the lead in defending
various regions of the country and are responsible for provincial security
for nine of the 18 provinces in Iraq.

    For more information, visit http://www.soldiersstrengtheniraq.com.

    Data Source: Figures provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf
Region Division (GRD). Work is funded by the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction
Fund, Development Fund for Iraq, Commander's Emergency Response Program,
Economic Support Fund and Iraq Security Forces Fund.

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