When the Missouri Army National Guard’s 35th Engineer Brigade arrived in Baghdad last September, one of their main priorities was working with and training Iraqi engineers.
Nine months later, as the brigade prepares to return home, those Iraqi engineers are part of their legacy in Baghdad. Thanks in large part to training supervised by the brigade and its battalions, the Iraqis are better able to conduct route clearance and construction missions.
Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Michael Pace, of West Plains, said forging a relationship with the Iraqi engineers was a top priority.
“I immediately realized the tremendous benefit which could be derived by working together and sharing experience and information,” Pace said.
Throughout the brigade’s deployment, the American and Iraqi engineers worked and trained closely together exchanging ideas and tactics. The units regularly performed joint missions, worked together to protect Baghdad’s citizens from insurgents and built a safe, secure environment for all to live.
Lt. Col. Bud Degrote, commander of the Michigan National Guard’s 107th Engineer Battalion, which falls under the brigade, said he and his soldiers were immediately impressed by the Iraqis.
“These initial joint route-clearance missions between the 6th Iraqi Army Division and the 35th Engineer Brigade were important for giving them the tools and knowledge needed to do the mission,” Degrote said. “It gave them the confidence to be able to do the mission. It gave us the confidence they could do the mission — a mission that is welcomed and integral to the future IED fight once they are fully resourced.”
Although the brigade is leaving Iraq during the coming weeks to return to the states, their influence and the good work they accomplished throughout Baghdad is already apparent to their Iraqi colleagues.
“I have been an engineer for 30 years, but the last five years have been the happiest of my life because being an Engineer is now about rebuilding instead of destruction,” said Col. Ahmed, the 6th Iraqi Army Division chief engineer. “You will be a part of our history. We appreciate your sacrifice of leaving your families to come here to help us.”