CENTCOM NEWS RELEASES

August 10, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1ST ARMORED DIVISION SOLDIER FOUND DEAD

BAGHDAD, Iraq– A soldier with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment was found
dead in troop living quarters at approximately 5:00 pm. Aug. 9.

The soldier was taken to the unit medical facilities, but could not be resuscitated.

The name of the deceased is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.

The cause of the soldier's death is unknown. The incident is currently under investigation.



August 10, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOLDIER DIES FROM APPARENT HEAT STRESS

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A 3rd Corps Support Command soldier died from apparent heat stress on Aug. 9, while riding in a convoy north of Ad Diwaniyah.

The soldier was evacuated to a nearby medical facility, where he was pronounced dead.

The soldier’s name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

The incident is under investigation.


August 10, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-22

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION EFFORTS AID IN REBUILDING IRAQ

BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Coalition forces improved Iraqis’ lives by renovating an Olympic swimming pool in Mosul and refurbishing the Agriculture Ministry Building in Tikrit.

With the help of soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) the Olympic Pool in Mosul opened to the public on Aug. 8. Prior to the war, the two-million gallon pool was a training facility for the Mosul Dive and Swim team.

When engineers attached to the 101st AAD first saw the pool it was surrounded by piles of trash and debris and had only four feet of water in it. A heavy equipment platoon and a construction platoon worked with local contractors to level the ground and make the needed renovations to the pool and its main pool house. Soldiers from the 101st AAD brought in close to 100 truckloads of dirt to level off the ground around the pool. The crews also fixed the pipes, filters and tanks.

In Tikrit, soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division working together with local Iraqis completed renovation of the Agriculture Ministry Building. On Aug. 8 workers returned to work in their new office space. The facility was run down after years of neglect and was looted during the war. Repairs included cleaning and painting of the building’s exterior, replacement of window glass and rewiring of old electrical systems. In addition, the soldiers and contractors worked together to install desks, copy machines, computers and fans. Approximately 50 Iraqis work in the Agriculture Ministry Building.

The renovation project cost approximately $85,000, which was provided by commander’s discretionary funds. An additional $10,000 of those funds went to purchase office furniture for the building. The project employed 100 local Iraqi workers.