Zakho Military Academy Rebuilds

U.S. Department of Defense

Jan 9, 2006
By Claude D. McKinney
Gulf Region North
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

One of the nine guard towers on the Zahko Military Academy campus. (GRD Photo)

Zakho, (Southern Kurdistan)- In northern Iraq, there is a school under reconstruction that may have a greater impact on the future of Iraq than any other reconstruction effort. The school is Zakho Military Academy.

As important as oil, electricity, water, health care, and primary education are to Iraq’s future, educating those already identified to be the future leaders of Iraq will provide direction in the same manner as a rudder steers a large ship. Zakho Military Academy is one of Iraq’s two national military officer academies and is equivalent to the U.S. Army’s Military Academy at West Point.

The force protection upgrades performed on the academy are now complete. These upgrades included the design and construction of nine guard towers located around the perimeter of the ZMA compound, installation of lighting on the perimeter wall, and the renovation of two compound entrances. The lighting will provide protection and security to the Iraqi Army cadre and cadets who live on campus. The guard towers will serve both as training opportunities for the cadets to learn first hand the nuances of guard mount, and as operational guard posts for the facility. The new entrances will inspire awe, determination, and commitment to entering cadets in the same manner as entering the gates of West Point, Annapolis, or the Air Force Academy have been symbolic for those entering training to become the nation’s leaders in the U.S.

Other force protection projects included a new munitions storage facility and upgrades to the armory. The armory includes rooms for weapons issue, weapons maintenance and cleaning, and weapons racks and lockers for storing both rifles and pistols. The weapons storage rooms were equipped with their own independent air handling. The new munitions storage facility commonly called an ammunition supply point is a four meters by six meters brick building with elevated pads to keep the ammunition off the floor. The facility is secured by a three-meter-high berm, a cyclone fence with razor wire around its perimeter, and lights.
A new gym and rappel tower offer physical, tactical and adventure training. The gym stands fifty feet in height, and features a National College Athletic Association regulation basketball court. The well-lit gym has its own heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. It contains both male and female locker rooms each equipped with showers, toilets, sinks, and lockers. The 64-foot-tall rappel tower has treated lumber on three sides for rappelling with landings positioned at different heights for progressive levels of training. Windows built into two sides of the tower simulate building entry.

Also completed are the military housing apartments. This project included the design and construction of a new Visitor’s Guest House that will provide family members, VIPs, and other visitors to the academy comfortable modern living quarters. The facility includes eight bedrooms with private bathrooms, two state-of-the-art conference rooms, two fully furnished kitchens and dining areas and many other conveniences. The house will benefit graduation ceremonies, awards days, and other special events.
“As we live and work on site, together with the cadets, it is interesting to watch first hand how anxious and appreciative they are for us to complete projects providing them new facilities,” said Joshua Adekanbi, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region North project engineer.

A view of the Zahko campus with new guesthouse (left), main administration and classroom building (center).(GRD Photo)

Workers implemented the whole of the academy reconstruction project in two phases. Phase I included construction of new cadet living barracks, a headquarters building, security wall, potable water treatment plant, packaged waste treatment plant, a 400-meter track and a soccer field. Other items were an obstacle course, parade field with stadium lighting, sanitary sewer system, and a new water supply and distribution system.

Phase II includes construction of a new gymnasium, and the design and implementation of a new power generation and distribution system. This phase also includes a new military urban warfare training facility, grenade-training field, and an improved firing range, as well as the construction of the new cadet weapons training building.

“We are nearing completion of this project. And it is gratifying to know that my efforts here may be the means to growing a strong leadership base for the future of Iraq,” said Adekanbi. “We expect to be finished here in January 2006.”

There are currently 213 cadets on campus undergoing their training. When the construction of the 19 new buildings and other facilities is complete, the school will have the capacity to train 500 cadets. They will graduate with bachelors degrees aligned closely to many in the engineering field.