CAMP UR, Iraq – A group of “do-it-yourselfers” and professional U.S. Army engineers made improvements a base on the outskirts of Nasiriyah recently.
Soldiers of 3rd Platoon, 375th Engineer Company and 3rd Plt., Co. C, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment worked to improve living conditions at Camp Ur.
The Iraqi Army base serves as the headquarters for 40th IA Brigade. U.S. Soldiers have their own compound on the post, which previously hosted the Motor Transportation Regiment Military Transition Team and the 40th IA Bde. MiTT. U.S. Army presence has increased at Camp Ur to strengthen relationships with 40th IA.
With the arrival of Co. C, 1st Bn, 77th Armor Regt., there was a demand for more sustainment and life support systems.
To help accommodate the additional Soldiers, the 375th Engineer Co., an Army Reserve unit based in Huntsville, Ala., was called upon to build housing, run electricity and install air conditioning. The Reserve Soldiers worked alongside their active duty counterparts to ensure Soldiers have the basics needed to complete their missions and return to a comfortable environment.
“Soldiers enjoy the opportunity to leave (Contingency Operating Base) Adder in order to work and see their work directly benefit other Soldiers,” said 1st Lt. Kevin Lau of San Francisco. “The adverse weather and availability of supplies highlight the stark contrast between their civilian work at home and doing the exact same job in a wartime environment.”
The 375th has been in Iraq since June, but trained for months for this mission. Their journey began in March when the unit underwent pre-mobilization training at Ft. Hunter Leggett, Calif., then to Ft. McCoy, Wis., for mobilization training. They traveled through Kuwait and subsequently to COB Adder, where they are attached to 7th Engineer Bn.
After their mission is complete at Camp Ur, the 375th Engineer Co. will head north to Joint Security Station Jenkins to facilitate the structural needs of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 77th Armor Regt.
