Coalition Troops Work To Put Up High Tension Lines
Three high-tension electric towers are nearing completion in the province of Sayafiyah, about 25 kilometers south of Baghdad. Iraqi Security Forces, Iraqi National Army, Ministry of Electricity workers, and soldiers from Coalition platoons are all working jointly to complete the project. Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry, and 7th Cavalry regiment 5th Squadron are working together in the installation of the towers. The towers are part of the power belt of Iraq, and seen as a vital part of the reconstruction of Iraq itself.
“This is the second part of a 400 kilovolt distribution ring around Baghdad,” said Lieutenant Matthew Shoop. Shoop is the electrical project engineer with 3rd Infantry division. Shoop has worked with coalition leaders and Ministry of Electricity officials to plan and implement this high voltage system.
“We told the Ministry that we could provide security and help install this line, their response was “tell us when, and where and we will be there,” said Lieutenant Shoop.
Before the new towers could be installed the old broken power tension towers had to be dismantled. The total construction, dismantling and construction were slated for a ten-day period. Work started on February 14th, and is nearing completion.
Lieutenant Shoop says that once the towers are complete and the high voltage lines installed that the entire region will benefit. “We are excited to be able to bring electric service to regions in Iraq that has not known electric service before.” Said Lieutenant Shoop.
