The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Iraqi Security Forces, and the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Dec. 2, opening the new Zurbatiyah Point of Entry (ZPOE) force housing facility.
The housing project will provide improved living spaces for the Iraqi Security Forces who are responsible for the ZPOE.
"This project seems very simple to most who see it at a glance," said Hussein Sabry, a contractor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "It is the result of much work since 2003, and will now do a lot for this area."
The $482,000 facility is designed to support around 100 personnel and is complete with 30 new housing units, a fully-equipped dining facility, three buildings with toilets and showers, and office spaces to support administrative duties. There is also a small facility to house detainees and a weapons armory.
The ZPOE has been of great importance for many years, as it is a main entry point from Iran into Iraq. Everyday, thousands of people and tons of cargo and other goods pass from one country to the other.
Security there has been a shared duty between U.S. Forces and ISF since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. With the timetable for the complete withdrawal of U.S. Force drawing nearer, a greater effort has been placed upon allowing ISF to take responsibility for the port.
"When I first came here in 2003, there was no functioning system," said Col. Reginald E. Allen, commander of the 3rd ACR. "Now I see that tremendous progress has been made to security in this region."
Allen cited an "amazing difference" in the infrastructure at the site, expressing gratitude for the dedication and service of ISF at the border station.
Sabry stressed the importance of care and maintenance for the new facility and said that, if taken good care of, the facility will provide many years of quality function for whoever uses it.
"It is our wish to see Iraq prosper without outside influence," said Allen. "We will surely see this happen if we continue to work together."
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STAND-TO!: Pre-Deployment and Operational Training of Provincial Reconstruction Teams
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