THE TENSION: Combat Camera: US Congressional Delegation Visits Sadr City

Col. Jared W. Olsen, a native of Chicago, Il, who serves as the commander of Task Force Gold, 926th Engineer Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, discusses the situation in Sadr City with United States Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D- Mass.), July 27,2008, at an Iraqi army base in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq. Congressman Lynch visited Task Force Gold to see the reconstruction projects in Sadr City and talk with U.S. Soldiers. (Photographer: Jeremy Saslav, 926th Engineer Brigade.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SADR CITY, Iraq, Aug. 5, 2008 -- The sandstorm had cancelled the flight and when they arrived in theater, visibility was poor, but the congressional delegation still went to the Jamilla market in the Sadr City District of Baghdad, July 27, 2008.

“We are the first CODEL (Congressional delegation) into Sadr City,” said Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.). “This is my fourth time trying to get in here. The fact that I can get in here without air cover is a real improvement.”

Lynch represents the 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives and is on the Government Oversight Committee. He was joined by Congressmen Bob Inglis (R-S.C.), who represents South Carolina’s 4th District and Congressman Steve Kagen (D-Wis.), representing Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District.

The congressmen were in Sadr City District to inspect Iraqi reconstruction projects and to visit with U.S. Troops.

Since the weather did not cooperate, the congressmen were forced to take ground transportation to Joint Security Station Sadr City. This cut short their time, forcing them to take a driving tour of Sadr City by military convoy.

The delegation was briefed by Task Force Gold Commander, Col. Jared Olsen, a native of Chicago.

“We gave them a good overview of the efforts that have been going on here for the past sixty days in an effort to achieving the effects of improving the quality of life for the citizens of Sadr City within OE (operating environment) Gold,” said Olsen.

Task Force Gold is comprised of Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from the 432nd Civil Affairs and 926th Engineer Brigade, an Army Reserve unit based out of Montgomery, Ala., as well as infantry units and other Soldiers. The task force is currently working on 162 projects totaling approximately $40 million.

Among the projects Task Force Gold is working on with the Iraqi government are restoring power, improving water quality and sanitation, rebuilding the infrastructure and the schools and helping to stimulate the economy.

“I think there has been significant improvement in this Gold Sector. I noticed on the wall [separating this area of Sadr City from the rest of the city] there are still signs of heavy fighting and the general conditions in Sadr City are poor and that basic services are not widely available,” said Congressman Lynch. “However, I’ll say that these units that are coming in are making a dramatic improvement. And you can see that in the amount of traffic. A lot of the shop owners are moving back in. The security situation has improved greatly, at least this area where we have coalition forces.”

“This is a critical time. This is a critical place and the work that everyone is engaged in, from the security piece to the reconstruction piece to the assistance piece is all really going to achieve the same effect, which is a sustainable peace for the people of Sadr City.” said Olsen.

After the tour, the congressmen headed to JSS Sadr City for a quick lunch with the troops.

Congressman Inglis ate with and talked to Staff Sgt. Kevin Jones, a native of Anderson, S.C., who serves as a motor pool noncommissioned officer with 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and Pfc. Brandon Johnson, a native of Columbia, S.C., who serves as a medic with the 1st Bn., 6th Inf. Regt.

For Staff Sgt. Jones, who is on his third tour in Iraq, the few minutes meant a lot.

“I met him face to face. I talked to him eye-to-eye and he is genuinely concerned about us,” said Jones. “The mission I’m doing means a lot to the Army and to them back home.”

Jones added that once you find out someone is from South Carolina, it’s like you’re a distant friend.

“You get a sense of pride when somebody from your state does come out and talk to you. He didn’t have to come out; I know he has a busy schedule,” he said. “I told him, ‘I know you are very busy and I appreciate you coming out to spend a couple of minutes with me’ and he said the same for me.”

“It meant a lot that somebody from the states, from my state, came and said ‘Hello, I appreciate your duty. I appreciate your mission and keep up the good work.’ This made me feel good all around,” said Jones.

(Story by Sgt. Jerry Saslav, 926th Engineer Brigade.)