By Staff Sgt. Kevin Lovel
363rd MPAD
After monitoring the progress of contractors’ trash cleanup efforts in the two economically impoverished areas, the Soldiers, attached to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, attended a meeting at the Neighborhood Area Council building in Shula where they listened to local community and religious leaders voice their opinions on the most pressing essential services needs.
“Today we’re doing a trash cleanup project,” said Sgt. 1st Class Peter Fernandes, civil affairs specialist and team sergeant. “The trash is unsafe and unsatisfactory, so we’re trying to give the residents a helping hand.”
Civil affairs Soldiers helped facilitate getting the contractors to areas where there is the most urgent need for cleanup, said Fernandes.
The populations of Ghazaliya and Shula are a mixture of Sunni and Shiite, and there has been a history of sectarian violence in those areas, the sergeant said.
“There’s a lot of satisfaction in helping out,” said Fernandes. “Most of the people are good people who want to get on with their lives.”
Capt. Eric Fedak, a civil affairs team leader, surveyed community residents as to what services they felt were most lacking.
“What I look for is issues with the sewage, water, electricity and trash cleanup,” said Fedak. “We want to work with the local government to make sure these issues get taken care of.”
Local residents said they are pleased MND-B Soldiers have shown a presence in the area, he noted.
“They’re happy about the cordon and searches, and they feel their security has increased greatly.”
“What we are doing today is coming up with a system to help us identify the most important projects, then use our limited resources to take care of the problems and get them fixed,” said Shields. “We can take the problems to the government, who in turn can provide more resources. There are a lot of things we can do to help with the quality of life in Shula.”
Some council members voiced their concerns regarding cordon and search missions in their neighborhood.
“We’re treating everyone with dignity and respect. We talk every night about respecting the Iraqi customs,” assured Shields. “The majority of the people I’ve met on the street are pleased with the job that the Iraqi security forces have done.”
Overall, the mission was a success, said Capt. Rob Callaghan, fire support officer and effects coordinator, 1st Bn., 23rd Inf. Regt. “The meeting was productive,” Callaghan said. “Any time we can ensure that good work is being done, and that there is coordination between Coalition forces, the Neighborhood Area Council and the Iraqi security forces, it is good for the communities.”