IP’s Rise To Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081213-05
Dec. 13, 2008

Iraqi Police rise to challenge
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Throughout Baghdad’s Karkh security district Iraqi Police make daily strides to earn the trust of the local population. During the past year, the Iraqi police in Saliyah, Karkh, and Juafer stepped up and taken the lead in securing their neighborhoods. Taking this more active role has placed them in the spotlight in securing Karkh and the citizens of northwest Baghdad are beginning to appreciate their efforts.

Coalition forces have supported this move by enrolling the IP into the Police Train-the-Trainer program, or PT3 that is run by the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, operationally attached to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad at Forward Operating Base Prosperity.

The program starts every few weeks and teaches Iraqi Policemen basic fundamentals of marksmanship, dismounted patrolling, traffic control point operations, basic first aid, basic Iraqi law, crime scene management, improvised explosive decive identification and reaction, building clearing and searching procedures of a person and a vehicle. The IP’s then follow up by conducting the training at their station to their fellow officers.

Coalition forces then included the IP on several joint neighborhood clearances. During these clearances the IP’s took the lead and confiscated a number of AK-47’s and weapons magazines. They also took the lead in talking to the local population. By doing this, the IP have made sure that the citizens of Karkh know they are on their side, and are there to ensure they remain safe in their neighborhood.

“With the increase of responsibility the Iraqi Police in the Karkh district have taken since July, they have been operating without the help of the Iraqi Army,” says Capt. William Macugay, commander, Battery A. 4th Bn. 42nd FA Regt. “They have really taken charge of the area and have been able to respond to significant events and execute missions across the district.”

Coalition forces continue to train the IP’s every day, and see a bright future for them in Karkh. “The ISF have been very successful in taking control over the Karkh security district and they are the model for the rest of the country’s ISF with the IP’s being in the lead,” said Sgt. Bruce Eggleston, Intel sergeant, Batt. A. 4th Bn. 42 FA Regt.

Source: MNF-I Iraq.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

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AQI Networks Targeted; 10 Detained

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
MNF-Iraq.

Press Release A081212a-412
December 12, 2008

Central Iraq AQ networks targeted; 10 suspects detained

BAGHDAD – Ten suspected terrorists, including two wanted men, were removed from al-Qaeda in Iraq networks Thursday and Friday, as Coalition forces targeted the terrorist organization in central Iraq. Coalition forces continued operations to dismantle AQI bombing networks Thursday. In Baghdad, forces captured an alleged AQI cell leader who reports suggest is responsible for improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces and Iraqi police.

Also Thursday near Tuz Khurmatu, 70 km southeast of Kirkuk, forces detained three individuals during an operation targeting an AQI leader associated with IED activities in the area.

AQI networks in Diyala province were further disrupted by Coalition forces early Friday. In Hafriyah, 89 km southeast of Kirkuk, forces captured an alleged weapons smuggler also believed to be associated with IED attacks in the area. Three additional suspects assessed to be the wanted man’s associates were detained as well. Two more suspects were netted Friday in an operation targeting a Diyala-area AQI courier in as-Sadiyah, 110 km northeast of Baghdad.

Source: MNF-Iraq.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

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MND-B CG Holds 3rd VTC With American Muslims

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081212-02

CAMP LIBERTY Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad leaders talked with members of the Killeen Mosque Leadership Council during a video teleconference Dec. 10 to discuss the accomplishments that have been made in Iraq and ways to better relationships within the Muslim community. Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, commanding general, MND-B and 4th Infantry Division, gathered for a third VTC meeting. As with the previous two VTC meetings, the council leaders expressed a wish for the civilian media to tell the American people the successful improvements that are in direct correlation of the Coalition Forces and Iraqi people working together.

Along with Hammond, Lt. Col. James Carter, the senior chaplain of MND-B and 4th Inf. Div., and Hammond’s chief cultural advisor Alaa Abdelazim, listened and shared their thoughts. “The intent is to continue to establish, develop and deepen relationships with our local Muslim leaders of the local Killeen Mosque,” said Carter. During the VTC, Hammond went over slides describing the changes in the Baghdad area imparted to the Iraq people – they are ready to look to their own people to keep this county safe.

“The Iraqi people are tired of this (fighting); they want the same thing we have in Killeen – they want their children to go to school, they want work, they want electricity, they want to enjoy life,” said Hammond. Building understanding and trust are the goals 4th Inf. Div. leaders try to achieve and it allows the American Muslim community to feel connected to the Middle East Muslim populace.

“They help us carry the message of hope and reconciliation,” said Carter. “We as Americans are one nation; we have the free exercise of religion, and a spirit of acceptance and toleration toward one another – without compromise. We support one another.” There will be one more meeting between Texas and Baghdad to introduce the 1st Cavalry Division and impart a smooth transition after Hammond leaves with 4th Inf. Div.

Source: MNF-Iraq.

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Al Kareme School Opens In Baghdad

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20081211-09
Dec. 11, 2008

Al Kareme School opens in Baghdad

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – The Iskan community of Baghdad witnessed a good day when its largest intermediate school reopened Dec. 4 after an extensive renovation project. Only a decade old, the heavy neglect and abuse of the Al Kareme schoolhouse had left it unusable. Under these conditions, students attending the schoolhouse had to be transported to another location.“The school was so bad that they couldn’t study there, so they transferred 1,200 students to another school,” said Nima Alsiegh, a civil engineer and overseer of the renovation. “There was [sic] no doors, no electricity, no bathrooms, no water and no desks. There was nothing in the school, so they left for obvious reasons.”

Many of Baghdad’s schools are in poor condition – the Al Kareme schoolhouse being one of them. The reconstruction effort of the Coalition forces and Iraqi contractors focused their attention not only on the rebuilding of the school but an added benefit of providing a sense of normalcy and opportunity for local nationals in the area.

“You’d be surprised at how quickly a school can get run down if no one is picking up after the kids,” said Capt. Kelly Lanphere, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. “Imagine no one taking out the trash and not cleaning up the bathrooms. ‘Where does the trash go?’ They just chuck it outside of the front gate. The school quickly becomes full of trash everywhere, blowing trash, the smell of sewage all over the place from the bathrooms getting plugged up.”

After an evaluation of the dilapidated building, the project took off – three months and $168,000 later, a beautiful school was handed back over to the people of Iskan. The funding came from the Commanders Emergency Relief Program. “We did an assessment, and then the contractors started to work and everything has changed 100 percent,” said Alseigh.

The rebuilding of the schoolhouse also included a large conference theater room. “There is a big theater room for conferences; they changed the doors and glass, rebuilt the bathrooms, put in lights, new paint, a new generator, new flooring, fans and a new sewage system. You name it, they restored it.”

Success like the reopening of the Al Kareme School has made it possible for the CF to maintain security throughout Baghdad. The continuing effort to maintain security and evolving improvements are the defining cause of a greater sense of normalcy and improvement of life.

Source: MNF-Iraq.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

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Iraqi, Coalition Forces Discuss Border Security

by Maj. Chad Carroll
4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

FOB GARRY OWEN, Iraq (Nov. 18, 2008) – For the first time in Maysan province, leaders from the Iraqi army, Iraqi police and Iraqi border patrol met with Coalition leaders near the provincial capital of Amarah Nov. 15. Officers from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, worked behind the scenes for weeks to bring together commanders from the 11th Border Enforcement, the 38th and 41st Iraqi Army Brigades and the Maysan police.

The Coalition Soldiers assembled this group to share information on suspected criminal activity and plan future cooperative efforts to increase border security in the province.

Coaliton officers meet with Iraqi security officials from southern Iraq to discuss boarder enforcement during the Maysan Security Conference held near Amarah, Iraq, Nov. 15.

“Up to this point, the border patrol, Iraqi police and Iraqi army have done great work in securing the province,” said Col. Philip Battaglia, commander, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. “This conference represents a huge step toward synchronizing all those successes to close security gaps and secure the province as a whole.”

Iraqi leaders were extremely pleased with the new level of cooperation and how the conference demonstrated the big picture to the provincial leaders. “We are having great success, but since the province is such a large area to cover, we have to make sure our forces’ locations are right with respect to each other,” said Maj. Gen. Habib Taleb Abbas, 10th IA Div. commander.

Habib chaired the conference and offered time to other commanders to address their ideas for future cooperation among the rest of Iraq’s security forces.

Security during Iraq’s upcoming January election was a hot topic for the leaders. “Working together starts with planning together,” said Maj. Gen. Saad Harbiya, commander of Maysan’s police officers. He recommended another conference to solely focus on security for the election.

Three of 4th BCT’s battalions are operating in Maysan. The 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, is partnered with the border patrol element to interdict munitions and arrest criminals crossing from Iran into Iraq. The 2nd Bn., 7th Cav. Regt., is partnered with the 38th IA Bde. and the 5th Bn., 82nd Field Artillery Regt., is partnered with the 41st IA Bde.

The Iraqi security forces in southern Iraq have arrested approximately 200 suspected criminals and seized more than 9,000 various munitions – to include improvised explosive device and explosively formed projectile materials since 4th BCT arrived this summer.

Source: CENTCOM.

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Iraqis gain responsibility for security in Qadasiyah

by Sgt. David Turner
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FOB ECHO, Iraq (July 21, 2008) — The governor of Qadasiyah province assumed security responsibility from Multi-National Force – Iraq during a ceremony in the provincial capital of ad-Diwaniyah, July 16. Lieutenant General Lloyd Austin, commander of Multi-National Corps – Iraq, signed an agreement with Provincial Governor Hamed al-Khoudari, which gives responsibility of providing security to the people of Qadisiyah and the Government of Iraq.

Austin thanked Maj. Gen. Andrjez Malinowski, Polish Army commander in charge of Coalition forces in the province, for helping to keep the area safe for the past five years, but gave credit for the transfer of security responsibility to the performance of the Iraqi Security Forces in the area.

“The ISF have done a tremendous job in providing security for the population,” said Austin, in his remarks during the ceremony. “They have fought hard, and the freedom to celebrate today is the result of their efforts.” Austin said that MNC-I would continue to support the ISF, as well as the Government of Iraq and provincial government to provide “sustainable security” for the people of Qadasiyah province.

Qadasiyah is the 10th of Iraq’s 18 provinces to transfer security responsibility to the local government. The Joint Commission, which includes members of the GoI and MNF-I, decided to transfer security responsibility. The commission based their decision on the capabilities of local governance and the readiness of ISF in the area, among other factors.

The recent decrease in violence in the area contributed to the decision, said Lt. Col. Andrjez Tomanek, planning officer with the Polish contingent of Coalition forces, stationed near ad-Diwaniyah. He cited operations carried out by ISF in March as proof that local police and Iraqi Army can keep the area secure in the future.

“Compared with our last rotation, the security situation has improved,” said Tomanek. “All of our activities are coordinated with the ISF. [They] are the basic elements to [maintain] security in this province; we only support them.” Referring to the clashes between the ISF and criminal groups in the area in March, Tomanek said, “[They] passed the exam.”

Before the official signing of the agreement, local officials spoke to the crowd and Iraqi police, IA and other groups, including Iraqi children participated in a parade. An Iraqi SWAT team demonstrated its counterterrorism capabilities as part of the parade.

Iraqi children celebrate the transfer of security responsibility to Qadasiyah province from Coalition forces in a parade during a ceremony in ad-Diwaniyah, July 16. (Army photo by Sgt. David Turner).

Source: CENTCOM.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary’s Thoughts.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

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Huge weapons cache destroyed near Samarra

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq

Press Release A080722a – 257
July 22, 2008

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces discovered a massive cache of weapons during an operation targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq elements near Samarra that concluded July 19.

During the 48-hour operation, Coalition forces discovered three weapons caches and two buildings believed to be used in terrorist operations. One building was assessed to be a classroom where terrorists learned to build car bombs. The building had diagrams cut into the walls showing how to install bombs in vehicles, and a “test range” outside, littered with car parts. Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft to destroy the building and prevent its future use in terrorist operations.

Coalition forces systematically cleared the area, about 90 kilometers north of Baghdad, which is known to have weapons caches and hideout locations used by AQI leaders. The caches contained 810 105 mm artillery rounds, numerous rockets and mortars, 50 rocket-propelled grenades, several anti-aircraft weapons, vehicle mounts and ammunition, as well as bulk explosives. Munitions experts safely destroyed all the weapons on site.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary’s Thoughts.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

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Iraqi, Coalition troops detain 29 in raid

by Spc. Amanda McBride
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FOB KALSU, Iraq (May 6, 2008) — In an effort to clear out criminals in the area, Iraqi army soldiers raided several houses in the city of Jabella, Iraq, May 2. With support from coalition forces, the raid resulted in the detainment of 29 suspected insurgents. Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 31st Brigade, 8th IA Division, led the early morning raid, with help from Soldiers with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, currently attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

“This raid was very successful,” said 2nd Lt. Kyle Comfort, a native of Anniston, Ala., and currently assigned to Company B. “Once the operation got rolling, they already had a cordon off of the city.” With information from Iraqi intelligence, the soldiers set out to start clearing the area of caches, suspected criminals and illegal weapons. “This was actually a completely Iraqi army (conducted) raid,” Comfort said. “They were in charge of planning and coordinating the operation.”

The goal of the raid was to surprise criminals inside the houses, with Iraqi soldiers going door to door of those buildings targeted. Throughout the mission, there was always a coalition force presence, but the IA had control of the raid. “We simply provided support by following behind their operation,” Comfort said. “We have done several operations where we have supported the Iraqi army.”

During the raid, Iraqi soldiers came across 58 illegal AK-47s, two SKS assault rifles and assorted ammunition. Sgt. First Class Lyle Whitted, assigned to Company B, described the mission as a success due to the capture of possible insurgents. The detainees and weapons were turned over to the IA soldiers for further questioning. The daytime raid was another operation conducted in support of Marne Rugged, an operation to establish security for local Iraqi communities against al-Qaida in Iraq and criminal forces.

Soldiers assigned to Company B, 2-502nd Infantry Regiment, pull security on a street during a raid in Jabella, Iraq, May 2. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Amanda McBride).

Source: CENTCOM.

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Security in Abu Shemsi offers new opportunities

by 1st Lt. David Psiaki
3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FOB ISKAN, Iraq (May 2, 2008) – Residents in Abu Shemsi in the North Babil province of Iraq continue to see improvements in security and economic development. The former al-Qaida stronghold is quickly becoming a rural community with soccer games, flourishing farm fields and locally-run stores. “I see the community rebuilding itself,” said Sgt. Donald Callis, a Gerrardstown, W.V., native. “Our major role in that is providing security, and the (government of Iraq) is helping out with grants.”

In recent weeks, coalition forces have worked with local businesses to find out what equipment they need to improve serving their communities. With this knowledge, coalition forces are able to request additional funds and help stimulate economic capacity in the region, said Callis, who is with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Callis said his mission during his last deployment focused more on raids. “This is my sixth deployment,” he said. “This is my first time actually interacting with the locals. You are able to see subtle changes in the civilians and you can tell if they are benefiting or if something is wrong.” Additionally, over the past few months, coalition forces have seen new canals dug, water pumps installed, and farming equipment used to plow fields. These improvements have resulted from funding by the U.S. and Iraqi governments.

A new brick factory in Abu Shemsi supplies locally-produced building materials to families for home or business renovations. With locally-operated businesses, the area of Abu Shemsi is slowly moving toward a self-sustaining economy based on agriculture and fish farming. “The recent progress is due to a combination of the people of Iraq wanting to help themselves and coalition forces being able to help the communities by providing a safe environment,” said Sgt. Christopher Waliser from Bismark, N.D.

During the al-Qaida stronghold, many Abu Shemsi residents were displaced. Others fled because of the lack of security and protection. The support that Iraqi security forces and coalition forces provide, has given local citizens more opportunities to come back and rebuild, said Waliser. Families can reopen businesses and return to farming for income.

“They need some type of council to serve as their voice and they need to work together more than ever now to see the results they want,” said Staff Sgt. Cale Terrill from Wapakoneta, Ohio. There has also been talk of building an Iraqi police station in the area, Terrill said. Bringing in the IP will further legitimize the area and show residents that the government of Iraq cares about them.

Source: CENTCOM.

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Market opening spurs return of prosperity in Basra

American Forces Press Service

BASRA, Iraq (May 7, 2008) – Citizens of Basra, the third-largest city in Iraq, celebrated the opening yesterday of a central market that demonstrated a return of peace and prosperity to an area that until recently was a stronghold of Shia militias. Schools closed early as families from the Jameat district gathered with local dignitaries, investors and media to watch the ceremonial opening of the Jameat Market, Multinational Corps Iraq officials reported.

“I am pleased to open the Jameat Market, which is an excellent example of the many projects contributing to the rebuilding of Iraq,” said Nigel Haywood, the British consular general in southern Iraq. “This project will help establish prosperity in Basra.” The market was built on the site where the Jameat police station was destroyed Dec. 25, 2006. The construction of the market was paid for by coalition reconstruction funds, in conjunction with the provincial council. Local Iraqis built the market which was completed on March 23 at a total cost of about $1 million, officials said.

Operation Charge of the Knights, a citizens group that works to restore peace and security to Basra, was credited with opening the market. The market is expected to open for business within 30 days, and vendors already have rented many stalls, officials said. Traditionally, markets are a community focal point in Iraqi culture, and officials are considering proposals for similar markets in other areas of Basra.

In other signs of progress in the area, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tuesday completed renovations on a vocational technical center in the Zubair district of Basra province, coalition officials said. The $1.5 million project restored two facilities that included at least 24 workshops for vocational training. “Providing better educational opportunities will lead to better job opportunities,” said Army Lt. Col. Maura Gillen, a Multi-National Force – Iraq spokeswoman. “Vocational training is an investment in the economy, an investment in the development of a secure and prosperous Iraq.”

Also Tuesday, economic progress was seen in Baghdad when coalition forces awarded a small-business grant to boost fish farms in the area. Sheikh Jaffar of Khidr accepted the grant on behalf of a local fish farm association to buy two aerators for facilities in the Iskandariyah area, about 30 miles south of Baghdad. The aerators will be used in a holding pond, where 3 million young fish, or fingerlings, are scheduled for delivery later this month, officials said. Aerators provide oxygen to the pond to increase the survivability rate of the fingerlings, they explained.

Provincial reconstruction team representatives say it’s important for economic stimulus projects to be driven by Iraqis. “It’s important to help the Iraqis stimulate their own economy so they can have financial resources available to develop their own ideas and what they view as their own economic needs in their region,” said Army Maj. William Kerr of the 415th Civil Affairs unit attached to the 3rd Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team

Iraqi children watch the grand opening ceremonies of the Jameat Market in Basra. The children were released from school early to attend the community-building event. (Royal Navy photo by Leading Airman Jannine B. Hartmann).

Source: CENTCOM.

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