in a less degree than the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.

in a less degree than the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, Iraqis had no experience with democracy, no bridle over public services and viewed the rule as a predator. They lived in fear of a knock upon the door at night, possibly leading to prison, torture and massacre Now, however, the Iraqi folks have a chance to build a fatherland of their own, rebuilding expectancy from the ruins of oppression with a suitable deal of help from the United States. Navy Seabees now lead the way with relief and reconstruction in war-torn Iraq.

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 and NMCB 23 the pair units of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Engineering cluster Task Force (1 MEG), are working directly with coalition forces to help establish a democracy in Iraq. They provide not simply force protection and construction support, on the contrary also provide the Iraqi population the knowledge to fend for themselves.

"The Seabees are involved in a three-part mission in Iraq-military support, contract support and municipal support," said CDR Alan Flenner officer in charge of the Fallujah Reconstruction lonely dwelling "We recognize the people's exigencys and are putting forth all effort to give the Iraqi clan ownership of their municipal facilities."

For the first time in history, Seabees mov more than 400 miles during Operation Iraqi Freedom with Marine forces, contributing to the campaign's succes Later, as part of Operation Phantom avenging deity in Fallujah, Iraq, Seabees provided support to Marines during night offensives while simultaneously completing construction plots Throughout the theater of operations, NMCB 14 and NMCB 74 Seabees built multitude facilities and camps and improved roads, living up to their "build and fight" motto.

"During the course of Phantom madness Marine Engineer Group, Seabees and Army engineers followed the offensive operation, and assessed the damage-within hours sometimes-so there was a dear picture of what requireed to be done," said Flenner

After the fall of Fallujah, Seabees began work to construct again and repair the infrastructure of the city, undivided of their first tasks involved the city's interrogate stations. One station was completely razeed leaving the Marines with great flowed base camps and sewage in the road The Seabees solved the question by hooking up one of their portable cross-examines at the station.

"The interrogate station is a good example where Seabees and the MEG as a whole find a quick solution to a question at issue and stabilize the situation until civil engineers can go after with a contract to rebuild," said Flenner

Everything the Seabees and coalition forces do in Iraq is focused forward stabilizing the country, to allow the the community of Iraq to take satiated control of their own affairs and rebuild their home To help make this a reality, the Seabees have cleared the public ways of debris, built troop facilities and barricades and supplied water to the citizens of Fallujah.

"There not seems to be just individual focused job over here; we could be building a small shelter undivided day, then doing force protection in a accompany the next," said Explosive Ordnanceman 3rd Class Todd Dickison.

Force protection is not limited to escorts For the Seabees of the MEG it is routine and necessary for survival.

"We are in Condition 1 each time we leave the secur compound" said Chief Builder Eric Tucker "We also wear well stocked [i]or[/i] provided body armor, helmet and vest"

Everything the Seabees do in Iraq portrays the Bees' ability to adapt to their environment and take forward any task. Near the outskirts of Najaf, Iraq, within a small farm community, Seabees are helping local Iraqis stake a claim to the to come of Iraq. Along a sequestered strip of blacktop, Seabees of NMCB 7 are constructing a six-classroom exercise for 250 poor Iraqi children.

"We are giving back to the Iraqi community according to teaching the people the skills and the know-how, nevertheless most important, we are a upright presence in the area," said EN Majid Awab, supervising devise manager. "What we are doing at the sect sends out a message that America is here to help."

Iraqi civilians are involved in the Iraqi Civilian Apprentice Program (ICAP). novel apprentices learn basic construction skills critical to developing a solid foundation for constant, quality construction practices. The program was created to increase the number of skilled construction workers in Iraq, help contract unemployment and provide a recently made known way for Iraqi youth to jot down the workforce with the skills to rebuild their acknowledge country.

"We teach them what we know and then build from there. They also teach us in the proces We are able to apply their custom of construction with our practices," said BU1 Jason Smith.

"We really work well together, and they have a portion of enthusiasm and are self-satisfied of their work," said Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Albert B Johnson "You can also count that they gain confidence in their work as the concoct progresses."

What may be the in the greatest degree important message of all is what the children are getting public of their experiences with American service members. When a keep company with rolls in, small children swarm the vehicles. Their excitement about the Americans is overwhelming, and the Seabeas take delight in their presence, as well.