By NANCY HILER
"The people within the neighborhoods of al Beneen and al Askiri were really happy they could use their electricity," said Guevara, the civil military officer for the 2nd Squadron, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division.
"The electricity not only enables the people here to power their appliances," Guevara said, "but it also powers their water purification systems."
According to U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Damian Steptore, "Thanks to the local government's installation of electrical transformers throughout the city, about 5,000 Iraqi citizens in Nasariyah can now flip on their lights and cook hot meals in their homes."
Steptore is part of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. He reported the story to Digital Video and Imagery Distribution Systems, an Atlanta-based media liaison that connects media outlets around the country with U.S. military personnel stationed overseas.
"The electric transformers that were installed in these areas convert power and allow the people to use it immediately," Guevara said. Just one electric transformer can power 1,000 Iraqi homes.
The local government recently installed five transformers in Nasariyah and plans to build about 20 additional transformers. Located on the Euphrates River about 225 miles southeast of Baghdad, Nasariyah is Iraq's fourth most populated city after Baghdad, Basra and Mosul.
Comments about this story? Nhiler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 234.
