September 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KISIK REFINERY ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

MOSUL, Iraq – Coalition forces have hired approximately 70 Iraqi citizens to begin cleaning the Kisik Oil Refinery under the supervision of soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), while employees of the Bayji Oil Company fix the facility’s equipment.

Prior to combat operations the Kisik Oil Refinery produced fuel for the entire Ninewah province. When the former regime collapsed the refinery stopped production and looters stripped away many vital components, rendering the refinery non-operational.

The clean up efforts have produced rapid results. The refinery is soon expected to be fully operational and ready to receive crude oil for refinement. This marks a major step toward alleviating the fuel shortages that the people of this region have endured.

Additionally, the repair of the refinery marks another step toward getting the country’s infrastructure on its feet.

While employees of the Bayji Oil Company work on the machinery to make the refinery operational, more than $10,000 has been earmarked to repair the administrative offices, firehouse, storehouse and the fence line. Soldiers from the 101st AAD assess the project’s progress and report that progress at the daily meetings of the Northern Oil Company in Mosul.


September 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARTILLERYMEN, IRAQIS SPIN WRENCHES TO KEEP COALITION ROLLING

MOSUL, Iraq – Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and local Iraqis are making lighter work with many hands by working together in the motor pool to change out engines and repair hundreds of tires.

To help the soldiers, who were spread thin over their many missions, local Iraqis that had been working with the unit to do repair jobs around their area were brought in to work in the motor pool as well.

The Iraqi men were given a class on how to build the spare tires and then went to work. None of them had ever rebuilt tires before, so the work also teaches them new skills. The men break down an average of about 22 tires a day.

The men were hired from the local unemployment office on a weekly basis. They are paid $4 a day, plus an extra dollar for being able to come to the motor pool every morning to go to work instead of being picked up. The men are all from the same village near Mosul.

The Iraqi men hope to be able to work with the motor pool for at least another month and the motor pool is working to keep the men employed for as long as possible. Next, they will be painting the motor-pool facilities.


September 14, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONE 82ND ABN DIV SOLDIER KILLED, THREE WOUNDED IN IED ATTACK

BAGHDAD, Iraq – One 82nd Airborne Division soldier was killed on the scene and three were wounded in an improvised explosive device attack on their military vehicle in Fallujah at approximately 8 a.m. on Sep. 14.

The three wounded soldiers were evacuated to a nearby medical facility for treatment.

The soldiers’ names are being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

The incident is under investigation.