By Pvt. Zachary Zuber

3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

DIYALA, Iraq – Tomahawk Soldiers began renovations to the Al-Salaam Secondary School in Diyala, Iraq, March 12. For each individual, this means for two weeks their job tools will be paintbrushes, plaster, and electrical wire.

            As part of their Extreme Tomahawk Makeover program, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Soldiers are performing a massive overhaul to the school’s vital systems, as well as making cosmetic improvements to give students a better educational environment. This is the second school receiving renovations under the program.

            “I am very satisfied with the progress we are making so far,” said Pfc. Nathaniel Lawrence, a painter on the project. “This has been a great experience for me to help out the children.”

            The second time around is going smoother, according to the Tomahawk crew, due to the differences in the schools and the experience gained from the first makeover.

            “This school is smaller, and there is not as much that needs to be done, like replacing windows,” said Pvt. Howard Leonard. “The process is going much faster so far.”

            Though it may not be as difficult the Soldiers are hoping for great results. The smaller school allows them to concentrate on the subtle details that make a large impact.

            “Because the school is smaller, it allows us to focus more on the details, and hopefully provide an even higher quality school when we’re done,” said Pfc. Lawrence. “We have been doing a lot more painting for this school.”

            From paint to plumbing, the Tomahawks working on the project are sure to bring all their skills together to achieve their goals of high quality school for local students.