Al Basheer School celebrates reopening

Editor's Note: The following press release was recently received from CPT Monte Hibbert, 116th BCT Public Affairs, serving in Iraq with the 116th Engineering Battalion of the Idaho National Guard. Some of the soldiers of that battalion are from the Orofino Armory.

The project was a combined effort of the local government, a non-governmental organization and coalition forces. Soldiers from B Company, 451st Civil Affairs battalion were invited to attend the celebration, along with community members and organizational leaders.

"Team 42 was invited to the school opening in Al Basheer," said, Maj. Steven Amrom, a civil affairs officer with the 451st. "Team 42 escorted Capt. Curtis and Spc. Ausborn of Team Academics to conduct a school assessment."

The ceremony was well attended and included a ribbon cutting, speakers and refreshments. The coalition team assessed the school and reported the successful event to their leaders.

Helping rebuild critical infrastructure and restore essential services is part of the 116th BCT's mission while deployed in north central Iraq. The unit's mission also includes assisting Iraq's new government, supporting economic development, helping better communications and improving security and stability in the region.

The 116th BCT is comprised of headquarters and staff sections, two armor battalions, a mechanized infantry battalion, a support battalion, a field artillery battalion, an engineer battalion, and various intelligence, signal, and specialized units. The 116th BCT is one of several Army National Guard units deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

Photos: Top--Fu'aad Fakhraldeen, a local non-governmental organization representative, cuts the ribbon as part of the reopening ceremony of the Al Basheer School Aug. 28. Bottom--A school representative addresses the crowd as part of the reopening ceremony of the Al Basheer School August 28. (Photo submitted by B Company, 451st Civil Affairs)