BAGHDAD — “While our mission focus remains the same, we have many changes and challenges facing us,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre, cmdr of the Gulf Region Div and senior engr at the Iraqi Ground Force Command Engr Conference. “It's never been more important for us to bring together our engineering forces, to synchronize our efforts and provide the full spectrum of mutually supporting engineering capabilities and services.”
As the reconstruction efforts continue to shift to the GoI, increasing the number and training of Iraqi engrs is essential to design, construct and maintain the country’s infrastructure. According to Eyre, Iraqi engrs initially worked side-by-side with U.S. engrs only with route clearance, but have continued to increase their capabilities and capacity into full-spectrum engr ops to include construction, bridging, bomb disposal and geospatial ops.
“One of the things I've noticed as I travel across Iraq is that every day you're increasing your capacity to provide dependable engr support throughout the country — not only for today’s missions and projects, but for those of the future,” said Eyre. “Your officers, NCOs and Soldiers continue to develop professionally, while maintaining reliable engr support to the IA Divs.”
Participants around the room recognized the vital role engrs have in providing essential services and infrastructure to its citizens, but they also noted that engrs need the resources — manpower, equipment and training — to accomplish their mission. “The security environment has improved in Iraq as a result of the work done not only by the ISF and the CF, but also due to the hard work of engrs,” said Staff Maj. Gen. Abdul Ameer, Iraqi Ground Force Command chief of staff.
“Conferences like this are an opportunity for U.S. and Iraqi engrs to continue to work together as partners and engrs, and to discuss our shared successes and find resolution to our challenges,” said Eyre. “Each of you in this room plays an important role in building strong foundations today for tomorrow — ensuring a stable and self-reliant ISF and a secure, sovereign Iraq,” he concluded.
