For the past 363 days (not that I’m counting), I have been fortunate to work with the personal security detachment from Aegis under the leadership of Ronnie, the Aegis Detachment Commander in Mosul. The Aegis team members in Mosul are true professionals in every way. One thing has always stuck in my mind. Before every mission outside the wire, the Aegis team leader for the move gives a pre-mission brief to the clients just before loading the vehicles. As part of the standard briefing, the team leader says “In the unlikely event of an incident…” That phrase, spoken in the proper Queen’s English, is burned into my mind, thanks to Andy H.
At the barbeque, the night before Rick left, one of the Aegis teams presented us each with a hand carved eagle. In our thanks, both Rick and I expressed the same sentiment. We and our families are extremely grateful for the care and concern demonstrated by the Mosul Aegis teams on each and every mission. Every time I left the wire, I trusted Aegis with my life without hesitation.
I’m also thankful that they presented the eagle carving before I mailed my footlockers!
Aegis Gifts
I took my last trip to Dahuk and Erbil this week. Originally, I planned a 3-day trip with Rob, my replacement. But as the days got closer, I realized that we didn’t have the luxury of spending that much time on the road. So I cut the trip down to one full day. We left Mosul at 0600 and returned around 1830. At the end of the day (just for you, Mugs), I was worn out and slept well that night.
While in Dahuk, I received a traditional Peshmerga uniform, like the one COL Pfenning received in Erbil. The Engineers in Dahuk got quite a kick out of me dressed as a Pesh! After getting fully decked out, I walked around with Rob as he was taken on a tour of the neighborhood. If I must say so myself (which I do), I believe I look quite dashing!
Dale as Peshmerga
Here’s a closeup picture.
Peshmerga Closeup
This past Monday morning, Mike F and I visited the Mosul courthouse. Mike is managing a project at the courthouse to provide some improvements to the physical security. In addition to providing blast walls along the street, the project includes a new screening building, floodlights, and a security system. We’ve driven by the front of the courthouse several times in the past week on our way to other sites.
Mosul Courthouse
Each time, I’ve noticed that construction on the new security building has not progressed, so I wasn’t expecting to see much else happening during this visit.
Screening Building
However, when we walked through the courthouse to the back side, I was pleasantly surprised. The contractor has installed the two new trailers for the security personnel, 38 out of 40 new floodlights, and placed the concrete pad for the new generator. The contractor’s on site supervisor, wearing the red keffiyeh on his head, was eager to talk to us about the project. His English was pretty good, and he was definitely proud of his work.
Contractor's Supervisor
Mike seems to be able to resolve any issues that come up for this project relatively quickly. I think he must threaten them with his hook, but I can’t prove it!
Last week, I spent a day visiting projects in Dahuk followed by a day of visits in Erbil. I saw lots of great projects. With construction projects, the most memorable things are the things that aren’t perfect. You’ve probably heard the phrase “good enough for government work”. When I was in Korea, we often joked that it was the land of the “not quite right”. Sometimes when I visit projects here, I think of “Iraqi good enough”.
At one school we visited in Dahuk, the contractor had recently completed a basketball court. Unfortunately, he installed the goal so that the backboard was almost even with the half circle below the free throw line. In the photo, Masuood, the Deputy in the Dahuk Office, is shooting from the line.
Masuood Shoots a Freethrow
Also at this school, the contractor installed a very popular fire extinguishing system I’ve seen at several other school projects.
Fire Buckets
How do you fix issues such as these? Easy, you put the USACE castle on the front, and that’s makes everything perfect!
Veen School in Dahuk
I visited a new construction project this morning. According to the project packet, it is officially called the Baghdad Police College – North (Mosul). I’m not sure why Baghdad has to be in the name, but I’m not the one paying for it. Anyway, this was an early morning visit; we hit the road at 0430. I made sure to get in a cup of coffee before departing so I wouldn’t be so grumpy. The project has just started, and the contractor is doing a lot of foundation work at this point.
Foundation and Columns
This facility will eventually house 1000 police recruits and 100 instructors and provide classrooms and other training facilities. Today we saw a lot of cement, blocks and rebar. The contractor awarded this $18 million contract is an Iraqi construction company. So far, I’m very impressed with the company. It’s nice to see an Iraqi company with the resources to handle such a large project. I think Mugs’ Dad would appreciate all of the labor involved in tying the rebar.
Rebar
As we were walking around, Mike F stopped to light a cigarette. The sun was rising above the horizon, and I thought it looked like a Marlboro Man advertisement.
Mike F - Marlboro Man
Don’t tell his wife he’s smoking again. He’ll probably get in trouble.
