By Suzanne M. Fournier
Gulf Region Southern District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

(Photo courtesy of Gulf Region Southern District)

Base Camp Adder (Ali Base) Iraq - A ribbon cutting was held at the Karbala Government Building following the monthly Provincial Reconstruction Development Committee meeting on March 5. The local administration building received a full interior make-over including new heating and air conditioning systems, electrical wiring, wall finishes, stage area, seating, and furniture. The exterior of the building was also upgraded with a power transformer, courtyard area, restroom facilities, and a new coat of paint. The Karbala Government Building has theater-style seating which will allow many uses as a convention or conference center for the province of Karbala. This is the first of three government buildings to be renovated at this location; the other two projects are a garage and the Al Sadiq Building.

Attending the ribbon cutting were: Dr. Rasool Hasn Abboud Al-Talkani, technical deputy for the Karbala governor; Saikh Falah Hasan Atya, deputy of Karbala Provincial Reconstruction Development Council; and Ghalib Al-Da'amy, a member of the Provincial Reconstruction Development Council. Representing the United States and Reconstruction efforts were Tom Cooney, U.S. State Department; Col. Larry McCallister, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region South District; Lt. Col. Lorenzo Valenzuela, deputy commander; and Cmdr. Richard Schnabel, area engineer.

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Note: Suzanne Fournier is the Public Affairs Officer for the Gulf Region Southern District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iraq. Requests for more information should be directed to Suzanne at 540-542-1531. Email requests can be sent to her at suzanne.m.fournier@tac01.usace.army.mil For more information on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq, visit www.grd.usace.army.mil.