BAGHDAD --

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is helping to create new situations to enable Iraqi women to take an active part in the reconstruction and security restoration of Iraq.

"The Corps of Engineers is building a new Female Training Police Station (FTPS) in An Najaf Province," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jan Carter, senior project manager, Gulf Region South (GRS), Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq (MNSTC-I). "It is a three-story facility with offices, jail cells, an armory, a communications room, guard towers, sleeping quarters and a courtyard for training new female police officers."

"The objective for building the $134,000 female training police station is to help advise, organize and train Iraqi female officers on basic infantry tactics from squad to battalion level to further enhance the Iraqi police stations," Carter said.

"This project is very important and will help to eliminate terrorist acts and restore security in the Iraqi provinces," she said.

MNSTC-I is responsible for developing, organizing, training, equipping, and sustaining the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). Its mission is to train the ISF so they are capable of defeating the insurgency and take responsibility for maintaining security within Iraq.

"To date, $435 million has been used to support 404 projects for security and justice facilities in southern Iraq. These projects include firehouses, courthouses, prisons and jails, police stations, border posts, vehicle control points, barracks, and Iraq military bases," Carter said.

Falih Kadim, an Iraqi engineer, said all work performed and materials supplied under the requirements of the scope of work are subject to inspection by Gulf Region South.

"The new police station will replace the existing station located near the Euphrates River. The project consists in providing the labor, supervision, equipment, and materials to construct the IPS in the city of An Najaf, southeast of Baghdad," Kadim said.

Carter said the Iraqi women impressed her especially during elections, when older women speak their minds and when women in the Government of Iraq act with authority while still respectful to their culture.

"There are Iraqi women in some very high level positions in the Government of Iraq," she said. "That surprised me to see them in these positions because I didn't expect them to speak up bravely and openly - but they definitely do speak their minds where it is needed."

"They are here to make a difference in their lives and to help them to regain their country. This is a new element of security for the Iraqi people - to have female police officers. Females are a very important part of the society," she added.

An Iraqi female officer said, "As an Iraqi woman, I wish I could see more changes in the Iraqi community. I joined the Iraqi Army to participate in the noble mission of restoring security in Iraq. I want to see all the Iraqi people happy and living in peace."

(U.S. Army story by By Mohammed Aliwi, Gulf Region South district)

In other developments throughout Iraq:

* Coalition Forces killed one terrorist and detained nine suspected terrorists during raids around the country Wednesday and Thursday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and operatives.

*Coalition Forces killed one terrorist and detained six suspected terrorists before dawn Thursday in and near Sadr City. It is believed that the suspected terrorists were affiliated with secret cell Special Groups.

About the Author

Steve Johnson is writes on a large variety of subjects and topics. Currently Steve is involved in The Truth About Iraq