When he first deployed to Iraq, Chief Warrant Officer Michael Harden had his doubts.
He also had expectations.
Eight months into his tour, Harden's doubts have dissipated and he's developed new expectations of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"I didn't think it was going to be as hot, that's for sure. It's a freakin' furnace," Harden said with a laugh.
But apart from working in a "furnace," Harden said his role as the Gulf Region North Reconstruction Program manager since April 2008 has challenged the views he held of the war going in.
"Being somebody from Seattle, I'm kind of a liberal person, and so my views of the war had not been very favorable. Even though I was in the military I was really upset by the whole thing," Harden said.
"The change for me has really been in the amount of work we've done in making this a better place. I still kind of question why we got here in the first place, but I don't question the dedication of the people here to do the right thing in this country."
Forging partnerships
Harden has served in the military for 25 years, and he's currently serving his first tour for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Harden works as a part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), heralding construction of schools, hospitals and roads.
Harden also worked closely with the renovation of Chamchamal and Fort Suse prisons, but he said the projects he enjoys most are those that provide services to the locals.
"My favorite projects are the ones that really help folks who don't have basic access to health and education services," Harden said.
Many Iraqis, according to Harden, still lack access to basic health services, clean water and up-to-date schools.
"Those are the types of things we've been able to do really well, and you can see firsthand how great that kind of thing is. Kids and teachers are happy to be in a modern school, not a dirt hut," Harden said.
Throughout the country, American soldiers have built and equipped hundreds of schools and medical facilities, according to Harden. Alongside health care and education, water treatment and sewage treatment facilities have been constructed, as well as a power grid to expand access to electricity outside of Baghdad.
Though the USACE oversees the reconstruction efforts, Harden noted the projects forge partnerships with the Iraqi community by involving locals in every project phase -including hiring Iraqi contractors, engineers and laborers.
"We're not really rebuilding the country; we're helping the Iraqis do it on their own," Harden said. "The thing we're doing is helping expand how they're able to do business and increase their ability to do better quality construction work and management on their own."
According to Harden, the USACE has enjoyed a different, more positive relationship with locals.
"I have yet to meet somebody who would say they don't want us here. And if you meet with any of the government people at any level they are very thankful, especially if you meet people walking into facilities we built for them," he said.
But beyond building a structure, a key part of the partnership between U.S. troops and Iraqis involves leaving Iraqis with functioning facilities they will have the capacity to maintain and operate after U.S. troops leave the region.
"The intent anyways is that these things won't fall apart as soon as we walk away," Harden said. "The resources have gone into training for them to be operated, and at some point, [Iraqis] have to take responsibility."
Coming back home
In November 2008 the Status of Forces (SOFA) agreement was announced, giving a concrete deadline for the exit of U.S. troops. The SOFA calls for all U.S. forces to back out of Iraqi cities and set up in camps and bases by June 2009, and be out of Iraq by the end of 2011.
But for Harden, the end of 2009 is the timeline he looks forward to. Next month he takes his first break and will return to Seattle for a couple weeks.
"Am I more than ready to come?" Harden asked. "Heck, yeah. Oh, man, I tell you, it's been long and hard, and I can't wait to get home."
Harden is scheduled to return home in November 2009 to his wife, Julie, his 5- and 7-year-old sons Eric and Thomas and his daughter, Lindsay, who serves as a captain in the Marine Corps.
Despite Harden's excitement to return home, leaving Iraq won't be easy either. Harden noted "the amount of people that have zero... and the very apparent need of many of the people here" is a constant reminder of how much work is yet to be done.
But at least it's a start.
"This country has potential to go to great places if they're able to stay on the same path and keep dedicating themselves to making the country better," Harden said. "It's been nice to be a part of that and have a very active hand in making that happen."
Reporter Jessica Van Gilder can be reached at
reporterPPC@nwlink.com or 461-1309.[[In-content Ad]]
