BAGHDAD — It’s not quite a forward operating base and it’s an awfully big target, but soldiers of Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment are holding down the fort at the al Daura power plant in southern Baghdad.
“This power plant is one of four in Baghdad that supplies power to the city,” said 2nd Lt. Ellery Wallace, 2nd Platoon leader. “It’s one of the crown jewels of the division because of its importance to the Iraqi people.”
And, in a country where insurgents have attacked public utilities in order to undermine American troops, full-time security is a necessity.
Platoons from the company do four-month stints at al Daura, mainly providing security for the site. The unit’s 2nd Platoon took over last month and will remain until the company leaves Iraq.
“We also make sure all (guard) towers are manned by (Electrical Power Security Service) guards,” Wallace said. “We also patrol the surrounding sector and ensure roadways are open (around) the power plant.”
The platoon also mans an observation post and serves as a quick-reaction force for the facility or other company units operating in the area.
One of the platoon’s soldiers also serves as the unofficial “mayor” of the plant.
“I’m a middle man … between the EPSS and the power plant manager and the (contractor) Bechtel security team,” said current “mayor” Staff Sgt. Alberto Gordillo.
“If EPSS needs shield for their machine guns I go through the power plant to get them for them,” he said.
Gordillo receives daily updates on nearly everything that happens at the plant, whether with Iraqi workers or contractors, equipment problems and EPSS security issues.
“We need to know who comes in, goes out and when they came in and went out,” said Gordillo.
He walked through the nearly deserted plant on a recent Friday, the Muslim holy day. About 700 Iraqis normally commute to work at the plant and American and foreign contractors live full-time on the compound.
He met with a handful of engineers manning the control room for the two working generators and then caught up with one of the plant’s senior officials.
Having the soldiers on site keeps the plant safe, said the man, who asked not to be identified.
In the past the plant had been hit with mortars, which in turn caused many of the workers to stay home. Through aggressive patrolling by the company, attacks now are infrequent at best.
But, the official said, it’s not just plant security that affects their operations.
A recent attack on a natural gas pipeline elsewhere in the country caused problems at the plant, he said.
After shaking hands with Gordillo, the official departed with his German protective escort in tow. The “mayor” returned to his rounds, leaving the plant to make a quick trip along a row of EPSS guard towers.
Back at the platoon’s compound, Pfc. Luke Mahosky manned the unit’s radios. He enjoys the duty at the power plant, he said.
“The patrols are easier, life is easier and uniforms are less strict,” he said. Soldiers back at Camp Falcon need to be in full uniform and body armor before they leave the company building, but at the power plant everything takes place in their one building. It does have its downside, though, Mahosky said.
“There’s a lot we don’t have (like) around the FOB — the PX, a big selection (of equipment) at the gym and different selections for chow here,” he said. “You sacrifice those luxuries.”
Soldiers make a daily logistics run back to the camp to bring everything they need, including hot food from the FOB dining facility, although they only receive one large food delivery a day.
“Every now and then we plan missions to go to the Green (International) Zone or BIAP (Camp Liberty) to get them a chance to buy and see things,” Wallace said.
“There’s also more privacy and free time for yourself,” said the 22-year-old Mahosky. A handful of Internet-capable computers also allow the platoon virtually unlimited access to e-mail and instant messaging.
Their location also allows them more interaction with Iraqis.
“I have learned a lot more of the language out here,” Mahosky said. “We can also ask the ’terps (interpreters) to go to the market and get Iraqi food — some of those things I’ve never had before.”
All agreed, however, that they’ve learned some new things through their time at the facility.
“Oh yeah,” Gordillo said. “I never thought I’d need to learn anything about a power plant.”
Jason Chudy / S&S Staff Sgt. Alberto Gordillo watches as an Iraqi engineer points to a switch in a control room at the al Daura power plant in southern Baghdad. Gordillo serves as the power plant's "mayor."
Jason Chudy / S&S Sgt. Richard Letarte, left, and Spc. Rollin Senger, on duty at an observation post at the al Daura power plant. Their platoon provides security for the facility.
Jason Chudy / S&S Pvt. Christopher Williams carries supplies from a humvee at the al Daura power plant.
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