IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION

Since the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq, over 2,700 construction projects have started and over 1,580 have been completed.

The following projects are scheduled, in progress or completed nationwide in Iraq:

- 340 electrical distribution projects planned; 27 ongoing; 26 complete
- 29 hospitals planned; 18 ongoing; 10 complete
- 158 primary healthcare facilities planned; 146 ongoing; 9 complete
- 98 railroad station projects planned; 32 ongoing; 63 complete
- 264 border fort projects planned; 157 ongoing; 86 complete
- 839 schools planned; 65 ongoing; 678 complete
- 367 water treatment projects planned; 84 ongoing; 114 complete
- 22 prison and court projects planned; 7 ongoing; 16 complete
- 34 water reservoir projects planned; 6 ongoing; 21 complete

In July, the following construction projects began:

- The Iraqi military base project in Dahuk District consists of seven projects, of which, four are ongoing.

- There are six border fort projects planned for the Sharbazher District, of which five are currently ongoing.

- There are four electrical distribution projects in the Akre District, including one ongoing.

- The Ibn Al Athir maternity hospital in Mosul District is being completely overhauled. The facility will be a 200-bed medical facility when complete.

- The Tameem railroad station in Kirkuk District is being rehabilitated to meet freight storage and transportation needs. There are a total of five railroad station projects planned for this district.

- In the Tikrit District, there are four primary healthcare facilities programmed for construction which are all currently ongoing. There are also two primary healthcare facilities being built in the Khanaqin District.

- Three of five schools have been built in the Baladrooz District.

- The Buhriz bridge project will allow rural access to the east side the Diyala River, bypassing congestion at the Buhriz city bridge.

Source: Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

• Army creates mentorship Web sites (ARNEWS)
• "A life reclaimed by serving" -- Opinion (LIN | EB)
• Two Iraq veterans commit suicide at Ft. Hood (SAEN | EB)

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

• Iraqi engineers construct Baghdad's future (ARNEWS)
• "Consider that other 'army' in Iraq" -- Opinion (CSM | EB)
• 14 Marines killed in Iraq Wednesday by roadside bomb (NYT | EB)
• Military ops along Euphrates River prompt deadly attacks (AFIS)
• "The real target" -- Opinion (NYP | EB)
• Attacks in Iraq becoming deadlier (USAT | EB)
• U.S. officers say insurgents weapons getting more lethal (NYT | EB)
• "Support our troops" -- Opinion (HC/EB)
• Multinational commission working to smooth transition (AFIS)
• Troop withdrawal guidelines being drafted (WT | EB)
• Officials question whether drawdown talk will attract more attacks (WSJ/EB)
• Citizens help troops capture suspects, take down safehouse (AFIS)
• Afghan, Coalition forces find weapons, detain enemy fighters (AFIS)
• Detailed draft of constitution revealed, limits Islam power (NYT | EB)
• Soldiers teach Iraqi school teachers first aid (ARNEWS)
• U.S. Soldiers give Tawaitha children 'happy feet' (MNF-I)
• Afghan police to receive better training and pay (WT | EB)

OF INTEREST

• Military compensation panel mulls enlisted performance pay (AFIS)
• Bush calling for review of military pay (WP/EB)
• Uzbek K2 decision no surprise to Washington (AFIS)
• Stalemate continues in N. Korea talks (WP | EB)
• Iran installs new president while tensions with U.S. increase (WP | EB)
• Iran says it is committed to nuclear talks and negotiations (NYT | EB)
• U.S. plans to monitor China, Russia military drills (WT | EB)
• Military aims to remove stigma from seeking therapy for post-combat stress (SS)

WORLD VIEW

• N. Korea stalling nuclear program talks (Korea Herald | story)
• China, U.S. join together to block expansion of U.N. Security Council (China Daily | story)
• New Saudi king seen as promoter of change (Arab News | story)
• New president named in Mauritania by military council (Aljazeera | story)