News Release: 20100204-02-GRD
February 4, 2010

BAGHDAD – A new training facility opened its doors to Iraqi corrections officers Feb. 2, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Training Tactical Operations Center built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

This new construction project is an integral part of the Camp Cropper internment facility, located on Victory Base Complex near the Baghdad International Airport.

The new training center will provide instruction for Iraqi corrections officers on how to run a Tactical Operations Center with responsibility for internment facility operations to include visitation, medical services, programs and rehabilitation services.

“Capacity building is the overarching goal of nearly every project we build here in Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Richard Pratt, the deputy commander for Gulf Region District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq. “It’s critical that the Iraqis are able to sustain what we’ve started here long after we’ve departed. This training center is a perfect example of our commitment to ensuring a smooth transition as facilities such as this internment camp are slowly turned over to the government of Iraq,” said Pratt.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Maj. Gen. David E. Quantock, the deputy commanding general for detainee operations, United States Forces-Iraq, and Ra'ad Jader Khalaf, the deputy director general for Iraqi corrections system, Iraq Ministry of Justice.  Lt. Col. Richard Pratt attended on behalf of the Gulf Region District (GRD).

The GRD project delivery team consisted of Lt. Erwin Rico, Robert Medlock, Builder Petty Officer 1st Class Tracy Nunziato, Daniel Esqueda and Raymond Crapps. The total contract value was $807,000 with an original period of performance of 240 days. The contractor for the project was Al Hamra Kuwait who finished the project in 214 days-nearly one month early.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq has completed thousands of reconstruction projects in partnership with the U.S. Government and the Government of Iraq. Since 2004, USACE has completed 5,257 projects throughout Iraq valued at more than $9.1 billion, and has more than 350 projects ongoing. The overall reconstruction effort in Iraq currently provides jobs for more than 20,000 Iraqis.

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For high resolution photos: www.grd.usace.army.mil/news/releases/index.asp

Note: Scott Harris is a public affairs specialist with the Gulf Region District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iraq. For more information, contact Scott Harris at 540.665.2644 or e-mail requests to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq, visit www.grd.usace.army.mil.