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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Jul 4, 2009 - 6:56:05 PM |
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A ten-man crew with the Iraqi Republic Railways clears debris off the tracks at the Taji rail yard
Blackanthem Military News
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| Workers with the Iraqi Republic Railways clear debris from the tracks on Camp Taji, Iraq. It has been four years since the tracks were last used and as a result they have fallen into disrepair. The yard at Taji is an important part of the railway's future. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude, 1st Sustainment Brigade PAO) |
CAMP TAJI - It has been four years since a train powered its way onto Camp Taji, Iraq, and at least that long since any care or attention has been paid to the rail yard. As a result, a crew of ten Iraqi Republic Railway's workers started the rigorous task of cleaning and repairing the neglected tracks.
"Today they are repairing switches, placing derailed train cars back onto the tracks, and clearing debris," said Staff Sgt. Gilbert Torress, a native of Fresno, Calif., and the sergeant of the guard with Detachment 1, 1st Battalion, 143rd Field Artillery, a California National Guard unit attached to the 1st Sustainment Brigade. "After this they will load containers on cars and test the tracks."
These tracks are currently being renovated as part of an initiative to rebuild the railroad and it's capabilities to move large volumes of cargo.
"The trains pulling in here will carry mostly containers and Iraqi Army materials bound for the maintenance facilities under the Taji National Depot," said Maj. Ira Baldwin, a Laurinburg, N.C., native and mobility chief for the 1st Sustainment Brigade.
Every track cleaned and switch repaired is a step closer to a fully functioning railroad and the eventual creation of good paying jobs for Iraqi people.
ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
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| An Iraqi Republic Railways worker and Staff Sgt. Gilbert Torress, a native of Fresno, Cal., and the sergeant of the guard with Detachment 1, 1st Battalion, 143rd Field Artillery, a California National Guard unit attached to the 1st Sustainment Brigade, inspect a train car that sits several feet off the tracks at Camp Taji's trail yard. The tracks fell into disrepair following the outbreak of the war. These tracks are currently being renovated as part of an initiative to rebuild the railroad and it's capabilities to move large volumes of cargo. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude, 1st Sustainment Brigade PAO) |
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