While things heat up with combat in Afghanistan, there’s a different set of goals being reached in Iraq. All over the country, the coalition (primarily US troops) are helping Iraqi men (and women) to build the cornerstones of what is sure to become a powerhouse country in the region. As violence in Iraq settles down, even more investments can be made in the country. As things become safer, you’re going to see business in Iraq really take off.

Sometimes, the way a country helps rebuild after a war says a lot about that country and what their intentions really were. A lot of people out there said that Iraq was a mistake and that the US was just interested in money or oil or revenge for some reason. As time progresses, though, and the bad guys are less able to keep up their resistance, more and more things are being rebuilt and handed over to the Iraqi people.

And every school that is built, every well that is dug, every bridge and road constructed – everything the coalition is doing over there will go a long way to helping the Iraqi people continue to stand up on their feet and move forward at a pace they can handle. Things aren’t perfect in Iraq – by no means would I suggest that. Things are definitely headed in the right direction, though.

Here’s some photos and moving pictures.

Sgt. Stryker Out.

Iraqi Soldiers Hand Out School Supplies to Iraqi Children

Iraqi soldiers with the 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Division of the Iraqi army, hand out school supplies to Iraqi children during a joint patrol with Company C, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment May 19, near Balad, Iraq. Company C, distributed more than 60 boxes of clothes, shoes and school supplies they had recieved from people back in the United States. Courtesy Photo

Soldiers Carry the Main Part of Playground

Members of 121 Signal Battalion carry the main part of playground to put in place at the all girls school in AD Dawr, Iraq. Courtesy Photo

Soldiers Pose in Front of Playground System

Member of 121 Signal Battalion pose in front of playground system that built at an all girls school in Ad Dawr, Iraq. From Back left to right: Chaplain (Cpt) Gilmore, Command Sgt Maj Butler, Spc Cox, Cpt Steyer, Selma (Translater), Spc Carreon. Front row left to right: Spc Dupree, Cpt Miller, Sgt Williams, and Staff Sgt Perez.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Kanaan, Iraq

Iraqi policemen prepare security measures for the grand opening of the new communications center and Department of Irrigation buildings in Kanaan, Iraq, on April 21. U.S. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, were invited to watch the ribbon cutting ceremonies. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Walter Pels

Patrolling for Industry: Coalition Forces Assist Local Businesses With Improving Productivity

Spc. Justin Dayzie (left), a civil affairs specialist from Kaibeto, Ariz., assigned to the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion takes notes and a grid reading inside a plastics factory in Boob al-Sham, April 14. Spc. James Powell, a cavalry scout and native of Fort Pierce, Fla., assigned to the1st Squadron, 7th Cav. Regiment, also records the grid as Iraqi factory workers lift material using a pulley system up to the second level of the building. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell

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