Iraqs Inconvenient Truth :: Iraq War News Updates

 29 April 2007 (Aljazeera)

Iran will attend a conference of key powers including the US this week that will focus on stabilising Iraq.

Iraq said the meeting might be a turning point for regional co-operation in easing the violence. 

Hoshiyar Zebari, the Iraq’s foreign minister, said on Sunday there was a “high possibility” that Tehran and Washington would hold bilateral talks at the May 3-4 conference in Egypt.

Zebari said any talks between Iran and the US would be important.

The US state department has said Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, will take part in the meeting at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh and was open to direct talks with Iran over Iraq.

Tehran said it would send a delegation led by Manouchehr Mottaki, the foreign minister, “with the aim of helping the Iraqi nation and government”.

“I think it’s important, it would be a major breakthrough and any reduction in tensions will positively impact the situation in Iraq,” Zebari said in an interview without saying what he thought the US and Iran might discuss.

The high-level conference will bring together Iraq’s neighbours, including Syria and Turkey, and world powers.

In Tehran, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told state television: “We have emphasised that we are ready for any help to strengthen the government and political process in this country [Iraq].”

Ali Larijani, an Iranian official, arrived in Baghdad on Sunday to give Tehran’s formal response on attending the meeting in Egypt. IraqUpdates

By Sgt. KaRonda Fleming, 13th SC(E), LSA ANACONDA PAO
Apr 27, 2007 - 2:29:12 PM

Staff Sgt. Jimmy L. Mitchell, the storage NCOIC for the 32nd Multi-functional Medical Battalion, from Fort Bragg, N.C., shows 2nd Lt. Ali Faesal, the officer in charge of the Taji National Depot, Iraqi Army 6th Infantry Division warehouse, how to understand the paperwork for conducting warehouse inventory. (US Army photo by Sgt. KaRonda Fleming, 210th MPAD)

Blackanthem Military News:

LSA ANACONDA, Iraq – Iraqi soldiers from the Taji National Depot, Iraqi Army 6th Infantry Division, attended a weeklong partnership program to help establish an efficient medical logistics system for its Army.

The program, instructed by Soldiers from the 32nd Multi-Functional Medical Battalion, is designed to enhance Iraq’s Ministry of Defense’s medical support system.

By coming to the class, five IA soldiers gain the concept of how to set up their own medical logistics in order to supply the Iraqi divisions throughout Iraq, said 2nd Lt. Kelsha D. Weaver, the deputy support operations for the 32nd MMB, from Fort Bragg, N.C. There are 10 Iraqi Divisions and five reserve supporting units, which are equivalent to the Army’s Forward Distribution Teams.

Weaver, a native of Lafayette, La., said “If they see our operations and how we interplay with our FDT’s, then they can get ideas on how they can distribute their Class VIII items out to the Iraqi Army.”

“When they have an established system of supplying their divisions, then we will know this class benefited the Iraqi Army,” Weaver said.

The 32nd MMB stores level I, (small company) and level II (battalion size), aide station supplies, which are distributed to servicemembers throughout Iraq, Weaver said.

The officer in charge of the TND warehouse, 2nd Lt. Ali Faesal, said the training has helped him learn how to manage his warehouse.

He said he learned how to make an inventory of supplies to include the shipping, receiving, and storage. He also learned new classification methods.

Another important concept Faesal learned was how he could ask, Brig. Gen. Samir, the IA surgeon general, for items the warehouse needs.

With the numerous items stored at the warehouse, the Soldiers of the 32nd MMB complete a 10 percent inventory each month, along with a 100 percent vault and cage check every six months. This helps verify and fix any discrepancies with the electronic inventory said Spc. Zatic S. Davis, a medical logistician, from San Antonio, Texas.

“If there are any discrepancies, we must research all transactions and submit a memorandum explaining exactly what happened to the item,” Davis said.

The paperwork tells the higher command what happened to the items, he said.

The Iraqi Army soldiers were taught how to inventory as well as conduct research on the items through on-the-job training. Faesal said it is important to take the experiences learned from the 32nd MMB, because they are very knowledgeable about their job.

The students described their experiences as the most rewarding they have ever observed as logistics personnel. They said they plan to implement the training to their counterparts upon their arrival back to Taji.

“I enjoyed the classes because every day I had something new to learn here in medical logistics,” Faesal said. “I will reflect the views that I got from the American Soldiers, trying to tell my unit just what I learned at the American base.”

“We have come a long way with this partnership and training with the Iraqi soldiers,” said Lt. Col. William M. Stubbs, 32nd MMB commander, during an awards presentation completing the training.

“We’ve had the opportunity to meet with the Iraqi Army’s surgeon general, and he said he is very appreciative of this battalion’s effort in supporting his soldiers and supporting his Army.”

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Iraqi soldiers from the Taji National Depot, Iraqi Army 6th Infantry Division perform a 10 percent inventory of items on a shelf during a week-long training class held at Logistical Support Area Anaconda in Balad, Iraq. (US Army photo by Sgt. KaRonda Fleming, 210th MPAD)

Iraqi soldiers from the Taji National Depot, Iraqi Army 6th Infantry Division perform the inventory of items on a shelf during a week-long training class held at Logistical Support Area Anaconda in Balad, Iraq. (US Army photo by Sgt. KaRonda Fleming, 210th MPAD)

2nd Lt. Kelsha D. Weaver (center), the deputy support operations for the 32nd Multi-functional Medical Battalion from Fort Bragg, N.C., and Spc. Zatic S. Davis (right), a medical logistician, explain the importance of a flammable material storage area to 2nd Lt. Ali Faesal (left), the officer in charge of the Class VIII Taji National Depot Iraqi Army warehouse during a week-long training class held at Logistical Support Area Anaconda in Balad, Iraq. (US Army photo by Sgt. KaRonda Fleming, 210th MPAD)

Lt. Col. William M. Stubbs, 32nd Multi-functional Medical Battalion commander hands 2nd Lt. Ali Faesal, the officer in charge of the Class VIII Taji National Depot Iraqi Army warehouse, a certificate of appreciation for his hard work and service of completing the week-long training classes on learning how to set up medical logistics in order to supply the Iraqi divisions throughout Iraq. (US Army photo by Sgt. KaRonda Fleming, 210th MPAD)

By Pfc. Benjamin Gable, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Apr 27, 2007 - 2:26:26 PM

Burns, Wyo., native Staff Sgt. Brian Long, with Company A., 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., delivers a teddy bear to an Iraqi child in Baghdad%u2019s Mansour district April 15. The child%u2019s father, a former Iraqi police officer, was killed in action early last year. Long spoke with the child%u2019s mother and gathered information about everyday activities in the area. (U.S Army photos by Pfc. Benjamin Gable, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Blackanthem Military News:

CAMP STYKER, Iraq – U.S. and Iraqi Army troops moved in to the eastern part of Baghdad’s Mansour district to work on a mission to provide security to locals and search for illegal weapons.

Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Ft. Lewis, Wash., were tasked with the deliberate clearance of homes in this area, neutralizing weapons caches and performing targeted raids.

With the IA in the lead April 14, the coalition forces moved into the city.

“These clearing operations are to enforce the security of the neighborhood and the people living here,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Long, a native of Burns, Wyo., with Co. A. “We make sure we do a complete sweep of the area and gather as much information as possible.”

During their search for weapons and explosives, the troops handed out flyers, tip cards with numbers to the local joint security stations and head of household forms. Long said that all of these information sheets help lead to better security for the area.

Teams of Soldiers moved through each house on their designated blocks and methodically searched every room.

“Insurgents have been known to hide things all over houses and in the smallest crevices and cracks you can imagine,” said Pfc. Derek Gress, with Co. A. “We have to do whatever is needed to make sure they don’t have something they’re not supposed to.”

After several hours of searching and clearing, the coalition forces headed back to their respective bases to rest and start over again the next day.

The morning of April 15, coalition forces moved back to the same area as the day before. The day’s search called for a more aggressive approach in entering and clearing houses.

After leaving the houses, coalition forces left damage assessment sheets and new locks for the owners of the homes, should they return.

As Iraqi children walked the streets of the neighborhood, the search continued.

Soldiers searched flower gardens, cars in driveways and anything needed.

Toward the end of the day’s search, coalition forces discovered a large cache of ammunition and explosive chemicals. In this particular find, they discovered two large cans of nitric acid, five 40-pound bags of an unknown white powder substance and a stripped down car.

Long said the car could possibly be used as a vehicle-borne explosive device. An explosive ordnance disposal team was then called in to take the items for further investigation while coalition forces provided an outer cordon.

With the day’s mission complete, and after the long hours moving from house to house on consecutive days, the Soldiers of Co. A., headed back to their Strykers and heard two words they love to hear- “Drop ramp.”

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS: Pfc. Derek Gress, with Co. A., 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., searches a house in Baghdad%u2019s Mansour district April 15. Gress, with his fellow Soldiers, searched through rooms looking for weapons caches and other illegal items. (U.S Army photos by Pfc. Benjamin Gable, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) Spc. Robert Kern, an infantryman with Co. A., 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., uses a battering ram to force his way through a locked door in a home in Baghdad%u2019s Mansour district April 15. (U.S Army photos by Pfc. Benjamin Gable, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

	AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR APRIL 26
Release Date:	4/27/2007
Release Number:	07-01-03P
Description:	SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower supported Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a U.S. Air Force B1-B Lancer dropped a Guided Bomb Unit-31 on a mortar position that fired on Coalition forces near Asadabad. The bombs hit the desired target according to a Joint Terminal Attack Controller. U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets dropped a GBU-12 on an insurgent observation post near Tarin Kowt. A JTAC confirmed the weapon hit the desired target. Near Ghazni and Sangin, other F/A-18s provided shows of force for Coalition forces in contact with insurgents. A JTAC confirmed good effects. The aircrew then continued to provide overhead presence and security and no further attacks were reported. Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers fired rockets and dropped an Enhanced Paveway II laser guided bomb and a 540 pound air-burst bomb on insurgents in a tree line near Gereshk. The insurgents were firing on Coalition forces from that area. A JTAC confirmed weapons were successful and the engagement ended. French Air Force M2000s provided a show of force over a Taliban outpost near Tarin Kowt. A JTAC confirmed it was successful. The aircrew surveyed the movement of people and vehicles to and from a nearby compound. In total, 47 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Eight, U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In Iraq, U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided overwatch for Coalition forces returning to their Humvees near Samarra. The pilots conducted reconnaissance of improvised explosive devices in the area. Other F-16s provided overwatch for wounded Coalition forces being evacuated near Baghdad. The pilots then conducted reconnaissance for IEDs and reported a hot spot, measuring one meter, nearby. Near Baqubah and Samarra, F-16s conducted reconnaissance for IEDs along multiple routes. The F-16s also provided overwatch for Coalition forces in contact with insurgents. Other F-16s provided overwatch for a Coalition convoy near Baqubah. The pilots then performed a show of force, releasing multiple flares, for nearby Coalition forces in contact with insurgents. Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornados provided overwatch for Coalition forces and searched for fleeing insurgents and snipers near Yusufiyah. The aircrews also provided reconnaissance for suspicious activity along nearby routes. In total, Coalition aircraft flew 46 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported Coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, watched over reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Sixteen U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. More than 155 airlift sorties were flown; more than 400 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 3,400 passengers were transported. This included about 7,800 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Japan and South Korea flew in support of OIF or OEF. On April 25, U.S. Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.5 million pounds of fuel.

 By Malik Saadon

---

Basra, (Voices of Iraq)
Forty-eight years has passed between the handover of al-Shuaiba airbase from the British forces to the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) in 1959 and its handover to the 10th division of the Iraqi army two days ago. During these 48 years the map of the world has changed, many concepts, ideas and theories have evolved, disproving others that scientists previously held true, but man’s will to remain free and to be the master of his own land has not changed.

The British forces on Tuesday handed over al-Shuaiba airbase, 40 km from western Basra, to the 10th division of the Iraqi army, after it having been a vital airbase for the British and Danish forces since 2003. A military parade was held during which the Iraqi flag was raised and the British and Danish flags were lowered in reference to the return of Iraqi sovereignty.

With the handover of al-Shuaiba airbase, the presence of the multi-national forces will be confined to two bases: the presidential palaces in central Basra, 550 km south of Baghdad, and Basra International Airport in the northwest of the city.

Al-Shuaiba airbase was first used by the British forces on March 9, 1915 after they won their battle against the Ottoman Turks in World War II, as part of what the British forces called ‘The Mesopotamian campaign,’ which means the campaign between the two rivers, referring to the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers.

“On November 6, 1914, the first British battalion of the 16th legion landed on Fao beach, raised the British flag and lowered the flag of the Ottoman Empire,” Ali Jabir, a retired brigadier, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

“Under the command of Sir A. Bart, the British forces on November 23, 1914 managed to occupy Basra and staged a military parade, to which foreign consuls and prominent figures from Basra were invited, to celebrate what they called ‘the liberation of Iraq’ from the despotism of the Ottoman Empire,” Jabir continued.

Explaining the strong reactions to the British occupation of Basra, Jabir said that the situation turned upside down as soon as the occupying forces held sway.

“Despite serious conflicts at that time between the southern Iraqi tribes and the Ottoman government, which local residents considered their main enemy before the occupation, religious groups in Najaf called for fighting the new occupying forces,” Jabir said. Muhammad Saeed al-Habobi, a well-known love poet in Najaf, was one of the Iraqi men of religion who called on people to join al-Shuaiba Battle, where the British forces were on the verge of defeat had it not been for their intrigue. According to Jabir, al-Habobi could not bear the shock of the defeat. “He fell severely ill and was bedridden until he died in Nassiriya on June 16, 1915.”

After holding sway over all Iraqi provinces, the British forces started to build stable bases, among which was al-Shuaiba base. “In 1920, the Royal Air Force (RAF) set up a camp at al-Shuaiba where it deployed the 84th company, which was replaced in 1940 by the 244th company that fought the anti-colonial Rashid Ali al-Kilani Movement in World War II,” a British media source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

“Our backs were bleeding severely under the scourge of the feudal system in Missan’s rural areas. We could not afford to pay rent to the landlord of the land. My two brothers and I considered leaving and chose Basra as our destination. We arrived there after a five-day journey on foot,” Hajj Hassan, one of the workers at al-Shuaiba base during the British occupation in the 1930s, who is now over 90-years old, told VOI.

“We were lucky that we were chosen by al-Karka, the Indian soldiers in the British army, otherwise known then as the Indian cavalry. They took us to a camp in the heart of the desert called al-Shuaiba. We worked there for several years: my brothers worked in construction and in the transportation of iron and I worked as a supervisor because of my ability to read and write,” Hassan recounted.

“We were paid 14 rupees per week. A rupee is the standard unit of money in India, which was then equal to 60 Iraqi fils (1 Iraqi dinar = 1000 fils),” Jabir explained.

For more than three decades Basra’s al-Shuaiba remained one of the most vital bases for the British forces in Iraq. After the July 14, 1958 Revolution, which put an end to the royal reign and declared Iraq a republic, al-Shuaiba airbase was handed over to the IQAF in 1959.

“In fact, al-Shuaiba airbase remained in service until the second Gulf War in 1991. It was heavily bombarded on January 17, the first day of the U.S.-led war against Iraq in the aftermath of the Kuwait invasion,” Colonel Muhammad Saeed al-Mudhafar told VOI.

“Afterwards an air blockade was imposed by the United States on southern and northern Iraq,” al-Mudhafar continued.

“After the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003, al-Shuaiba airbase was reestablished as a base for supplying the British forces. It turned into a vital and busy military base with more than 8,000 soldiers from 13 countries, including Britain, Denmark, Japan, the Czech Republic, Italy, The Netherlands, Bosnia, Spain, Estonia, Ukraine, Romania and the United States,” al-Mudhafar said.

“In February 2006, the British forces decided to transfer their troops from al-Shuaiba base to the Basra International Airport,” he added.

In March and April 2007, two British bases were handed over to the 10th division of the Iraqi army. The first base was in downtown’s al-Saie neighborhood and the second was in Shatt al-Arab Hotel in northern Basra.

 

(AME Info FZ LLC)

 United Arab Emirates,

Delegates at a new aviation security conference taking place in Dubai next month will hear how the security situation at Baghdad International Airport, one of the world’s most dangerous aviation environments, has been dramatically improved in just three years.

Dale R. Davis, Managing Director of Global Strategies Group (Middle East) FZE, will describe the measures introduced by his company since it took over security services and operations for the Airport in 2004. Today 540 flights take off each month, compared with virtually zero three years ago, and over 40,000 vehicles enter the airport perimeter.

Mr Davis is speaking at the Aviation Security Middle East conference, organised by Streamline Marketing Group, which takes place for the first time on May 30. The conference runs alongside the annual Airport Show running from May 28 - 30 in Airport Expo Dubai. Speakers will include aviation security chiefs, specialists and consultants from across Europe, India, Middle East and the US.

The presentation on Baghdad International Airport will outline how Global Strategies Group secured an airport heavily exposed to threat, to enable uninterrupted trade and travel, safeguard passengers, crew, staff and cargo and upgrade the security level, achieving International Civil Aviation Organisation standards. A key part of the company’s plan is the training and development of local Iraqi personnel and currently 450 Iraqis are working on the project.

‘Global Strategies Group has an incredible story to tell about the on-going transformation of Baghdad International Airport and the progress made to build local capacity in the aviation security sector in one of the most challenging locations in the world,’ said Davis. ‘Without a doubt, the story of our accomplishments, which have been achieved in cooperation and coordination with the Government of Iraq, will be extremely insightful and useful.’

Other speakers at the conference will include Malcolm Nance, Director of Special Readiness Services International (SRSI) a Washington DC-based counter-terrorism consultancy. He will highlight the vulnerabilities of airports, aircraft and passengers to a wide range of catastrophic terrorist tactics implemented before the aircraft leave the ground. The latest technologies for passenger screening, profiling and in-hold baggage screening will also be discussed by a panel of international aviation security experts.

Brigadier Pilot Ahmad Mohammed Bin Thani, Director General of Airport Security with Dubai Police, has welcomed the new Aviation Security Middle East conference.

‘This is a good opportunity for aviation security officials throughout the region to get together to discuss the latest issues and find out about the newest technology applications for airport security,’ he said.

‘The aviation industry across the Middle East is booming and here in Dubai we are seeing the rapid growth of Dubai International Airport and also the new airport development in Jebel Ali. It is vital that we have access to the best security systems on the market, whether it be screening and X-ray equipment, CCTV or other general security technology.’

Since its inception in 2001, the Airport Show has become established as a major forum for the selection and pre-qualification of suppliers for airport development projects not only in the Gulf area but also across the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and the CIS countries. This year more than 500 exhibitors and 5,000 industry visitors are expected to attend, a rise of 25 per cent compared with 2006.

Aviation security equipment suppliers taking part include American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of X-ray detection equipment. The company will be using the event to introduce its innovative Gemini parcel inspection system to the Middle East market, and will be giving live demonstrations of the equipment.

Other exhibitors from the security sector include Rapiscan Systems, which has installed over 60,000 products in more than 50 countries since 1993 from metal detectors to automated explosive detection systems and container inspection systems, and Gilardoni, a worldwide leader in biomedical instrumentation, non-destructive testing equipment and security equipment.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group and Chairman of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, the Airport Show will also include major conferences on ground handling and air traffic control for the first time this year.

AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR APRIL 24 Posted: 25 Apr 2007 12:05 PM CDT AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR APRIL 24

NORTHEASTERN MILITANT KILLED IN COALITION AIR STRIKE Posted: 25 Apr 2007 05:07 AM CDT NORTHEASTERN MILITANT KILLED IN COALITION AIR STRIKE

AL-QAEDA IN IRAQ SECURITY EMIR KILLED Posted: 25 Apr 2007 05:00 AM CDT AL-QAEDA IN IRAQ SECURITY EMIR KILLED

HAND OVER OF SHAIBAH LOGISTICS BASE TO THE IRAQI ARMY Posted: 25 Apr 2007 04:55 AM CDT HAND OVER OF SHAIBAH LOGISTICS BASE TO THE IRAQI ARMY

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower supported Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of force, releasing multiple flares, for Coalition forces receiving small arms fire near Asmar.

Another B-1B conducted shows of force for an Afghan National Army unit near Asadabad. A Joint Terminal Attack Controller reported them as successful.

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided a show of force, releasing multiple flares, in support of Coalition forces receiving mortar and heavy machine gun fire near Asadabad. A JTAC confirmed the show of force was successful.

Near Sangin, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided a show of force for a Coalition forces’ vehicle disabled by a mine. No further attacks were reported and the aircrew searched for suspicious activity in the area.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets dropped GBU-38s on a building used by insurgents near Garmsir. A JTAC confirmed the weapons hit the desired target. The aircrews then searched for suspicious activity along roads and among buildings in the area.

In total, 50 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Nine, U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds at a truck carrying mortars that was hidden in some brush near Julaybah. A JTAC reported that the truck was destroyed and observed several large secondary explosions.

Other A-10s dropped a GBU-12 and fired cannon rounds at insurgents engaging Coalition forces with small arms fire in a field near Mahmudiyah. A JTAC observed good hits on the targets.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided reconnaissance of multiple routes, a palm grove and a group of six vehicles suspected of carrying explosives near Baqubah.

Other F-16s provided overwatch of a Coalition raid to look for insurgents on rooftops, sniper positions and other suspicious activity near Baqubah.

Also near Baqubah, other F-16s searched for IEDs along roadways. The pilots reported three hot spots for further investigation.

Near Ballad, F-16s followed two insurgents in a Bongo truck who were suspected of recently planting an IED. The pilots passed coordinates to two U.S. Army Apache helicopters that destroyed the vehicle.

Other F-16s provided a show of force, releasing multiple flares, for Coalition forces receiving small arms fire near Baghdad. A JTAC confirmed it was successful and no further attacks were reported.

Near Basrah, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets dropped a GBU-12 on a building from where mortars had been fired at Coalition forces. The bomb destroyed the target and secondary explosions were seen.

Other F/A-18s provided shows of force, expending multiple flares, for a Coalition vehicle that struck two IEDs near An Nasiriyah. The show of force, conducted to deter IED triggermen from further attacks, was successful as no further attacks were reported.

Near Basrah, F/A-18s provided a show of force to deter enemy sniper fire on a disabled Coalition vehicle near Basrah. A JTAC reported the show of force was successful. The aircrew then conducted reconnaissance ahead and around a Coalition convoy until it reached its destination.  No attacks were reported on the convoy with the presence of the F/A-18s.

Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornados searched for insurgent reinforcements in a Coalition operation area near Baghdad. The aircrews also provided overwatch for a nearby vehicle-borne IED incident by searching for insurgents on rooftops and looking for other suspicious activity.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 64 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported Coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, watched over reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Fifteen U.S. Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, five U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. More than 170 airlift sorties were flown; nearly 670 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,895 passengers were transported. This included about 13,800 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq, Japan and South Korea flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On April 22, U.S. Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 50 sorties and off-loaded more than 3 million pounds of fuel.

TROOPS ASSIST NEIGHBORHOOD WITH FIRE DAMAGE Posted: 23 Apr 2007 03:41 PM CDT TROOPS ASSIST NEIGHBORHOOD WITH FIRE DAMAGE

COALITION FORCES SEE PROGRESS IN DIYALA RIVER VALLEY Posted: 23 Apr 2007 03:36 PM CDT COALITION FORCES SEE PROGRESS IN DIYALA RIVER VALLEY

LIVE INTERVIEW WITH MAJOR GENERAL DIAMOND AND BRIGADIER GENERAL MEHMOOD Posted: 23 Apr 2007 02:29 PM CDT LIVE INTERVIEW WITH MAJOR GENERAL DIAMOND AND BRIGADIER GENERAL MEHMOOD

VBIED DETONATES NEAR DIYALA’S PROVINCIAL COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS Posted: 23 Apr 2007 02:17 PM CDT VBIED DETONATES NEAR DIYALA’S PROVINCIAL COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS

SUICIDE VEHICLES TARGET IRAQI POLICE Posted: 23 Apr 2007 02:14 PM CDT SUICIDE VEHICLES TARGET IRAQI POLICE

19 TERRORISTS DETAINED IN COALITION RAIDS Posted: 23 Apr 2007 09:28 AM CDT 19 TERRORISTS DETAINED IN COALITION RAIDS

Facts do not support the claim that the U.S. military has abandoned the training of the Iraqi Security Forces

24 April 2007 (Bill Roggio)In the conventional template of reporting on Iraq, glossy, controversial headlines often fail to reflect the reality of the situation on the ground. Take the latest reporting by McClatchy Newspapers’ Nancy A. Youssef concerning the purported shift of U.S. military power away from training Iraqi Security Forces and back toward stability operations. The Detroit Free Press titles the article “U.S. plan backs off training of Iraqis,” with a subtitle of “Policy shift entrusts security to American troop buildup.” The Kansas City Star leads with “In a reversal, U.S. reliance on Iraqi army is fading,” and subtitles with “Training troops is no longer a priority, changing the role of American forces.” Forget the fact that Youssef provides no evidence within the article to back up such bold assertions. She relies on vague or nonexistent quotes from unnamed Pentagon and Washington officials, as well as Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ failure to mention training last Thursday, to support her unfounded claim. In fact, many of the named officials in her article refute her assertion.

The fact is that the U.S. and Iraqi government continue to push the training of additional Iraqi combat and support troops, and are funding a dramatic growth in the capabilities in the Iraqi Security Forces. The Congress’ failure to pass the Fiscal Year 2007 (FY07) Supplemental Budget is the only thing holding up the growth and training of the Iraqi military. In the FY07 budget, Congress has inserted the demand for a date for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, a demand which has prompted President Bush to insist he will veto the legislation.

The decrease in the training of the Iraqi Security Forces Youssef is detecting is the first effect of delaying the FY07 supplemental budget. The money to train the Iraqi units has dried up. While about 75 percent of the expansion of the Iraqi Security Forces is funded by the Iraqi government, this money is focused on equipping and training new combat units, including upgrading units to armored and mechanized divisions. The funds to train and equip over 33,000 Iraqi Army logistics, sustainment, maintenance, and support personnel comes from the U.S. FY07 supplemental budget.

Currently, the Iraqi Army has about 13,000 support personnel to sustain a 138,000 man force. The expansion of support personnel by 33,000 troops by the end of 2007 would provide the bare minimum support necessary for independent operations. The money to train the support units cannot be legally reappropriated from U.S. budgets to fund a foreign military equipment/training program, so the programs has stopped. This weakness in current Iraqi Security Forces structure is the focus of U.S. training in the “Year of Logistics.”

It is highly unusual for U.S. generals to weigh in on disputes between the executive and legislative branches. The cut in funding for the training programming has caused U.S. generals to mention the situation no less than four times since the delay in the FY07 Supplemental Budget became a critical issue. “At the current moment, because of this lack of funding, MNSTC-I is unable to continue at the pace they were in the developmental process of the Iraqi security forces,” Major General William Caldwell said in a recent press briefing. “It is starting to have some impact today, and will only have more of an impact over time.”

Youssef’s article also fails to note some very real and significant changes which are occurring with the structure and development of the Iraqi Army. The Army is expanding from 10 to 12 divisions. The current Iraqi Army has nine light infantry divisions and one mechanized division. This will expand to 12 divisions, with one armored division and two additional mechanized divisions, which will significantly increase the Army’s mobility and striking power. To augment these new heavy divisions and to accelerate the motorization of the light infantry divisions, the Iraqi government is in the process of purchasing somewhere between 600 to 800 U.S. made M60 tanks and over 4,000 assorted armored personnel carriers.

In order to man these divisions, the Iraqi Army is using existing units as incubators. The 4th Iraqi Army Division is creating a 4th Brigade and the 7th Division is creating a 4th Brigade as well, both will help form the nucleus of a new Iraqi division. Over 6,000 recruits are being raised in the Kirkuk region–they will likely form the nucleus of the 11th Division, and another 5,000 troops are being raised in Basra.

Unfortunately, the expansion of the Iraqi Army by two divisions will force the service to poach trained cadres from existing units. This will result in a short term decrease in combat effectiveness for the cannibalized units, causing some to fall from an “in the lead” status to a lower level that requires Coalition partnering until they can increase their skill sets. When this happens, it will undoubtedly will be used to show the Iraqi Army is failing in its mission to take over security.

The U.S. military and Iraqi Ministry of Defense continue to raise troops and are in the process of an intensive training Program. Brigadier General Terry Wolff, the commander of the Military Assistant Training Team, highlighted this in a briefing in early March. “And you asked about replenishing the forces that were here as part of Baghdad security. Well, many of the young soldiers are going through basic training right now, and there are about 7,000 that are in basic training… Additionally, there are three training battalions in this force, and the training battalions are putting and are preparing soldiers for those units I described in the prime minister’s initiative… So all total, about 15,000 soldiers training. You know, we’ve been as low as 6,000 at different cycles, based on whether we’ve got basic training running heavily or not, up to 15,000 is the highest I’ve seen.

The training isn’t stopping with the foot soldiers, mechanized troops and supply and logistics soldiers. Multinational Forces Iraq established the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group and Squadron at the New Al Muthana Air Base on April 22. The 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group is training the nucleus of the nascent Iraqi Air Force. And an Iraqi Military Intelligence Academy has recently been established to “prepare Iraqi security force graduates for counter-insurgency tactical and urban military intelligence operations.”

Unlike what some would claim, training for the Iraqi Security Forces could only be higher if the FY07 supplemental budget submitted in February was not delayed for political reasons. The proponents of this delay claim that they want to bring the troops home sooner but, the delay in standing up their replacements (the Iraqi Security Forces) caused by Congress’ actions has had the opposite effect of delaying the eventual reductions and the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

To put it bluntly, the facts do not support Nancy Youssef’s highly provocative and patently false claim that the U.S. military has abandoned the training of the Iraqi Security Forces in order to fight al Qaeda and the insurgency. We’ve established the Iraqi Security Forces Order of Battle to document the progress and setbacks in the development of the Iraqi Army, police and other services, and there are no indications the training has been curtailed, other than what is being restricted by the U.S. Congress’ failure to pass the supplemental funding bill. Youssef should do her homework before making such provocative and inaccurate statements. IraqUpdates

By Master Sgt. Dave Larsen, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
Apr 23, 2007 - 4:37:15 PM

Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, deputy commanding general of the Multi-National Division %u2013 Baghdad and the 1st Cavalry Division, listens to an Iraqi security force officer discuss the security situation at a Baghdad marketplace during one of his many battlefield circulation trips in an around the Iraqi capital. (U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl, MND-B PAO)

Blackanthem Military News:

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Efforts to reduce the violence by Iraqi security forces and the coalition in Baghdad continue as Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon enters its ninth week.

“Progress is measured neighborhood by neighborhood in an attempt to rid the capital city of extremists who are intent on terrorizing the population and undermining the elected government here,” said Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, the deputy commanding general for maneuver with MND-B and the 1st Cavalry Division.

He said Joint Security Stations, manned by coalition and Iraqi forces continue to stand up throughout the city and improve the overall security situation by maintaining a permanent presence in troubled neighborhoods.

“Threatened by the success of Joint Security Stations across Baghdad, Al Qaeda in Iraq continues to attack them with a combination of mortars, small arms fire and car bombs,” said Campbell, who grew up in Fairfield, Calif. “On April 16, we saw their efforts thwarted by alert Soldiers.”

At a JSS along the main highway out of northern Baghdad, the Soldiers on guard noticed a dump truck erratically driving towards the compound. When they engaged the vehicle, it attempted to evade and tipped over, spilling its contents and failing to detonate.

Checkpoints have also seen their share of successes and are working to prevent additional civilian deaths, Campbell said.

He pointed out the Iraqi national police, running a checkpoint outside of Sadr City Saturday, halted a vehicle for inspection and prevented it from detonating inside Sadr City.

“The driver, a suicide bomber, realized he would not reach his target and detonated the vehicle at the checkpoint,” said Campbell, a 27-year Army veteran.  “He killed himself, and wounded one innocent civilian that was passing by at the time.”

Another initiative to improve security, Campbell said, is the emplacement of temporary concrete barriers around Baghdad neighborhoods that have experienced high levels of violence.

“The barriers are not meant to keep people out, or shut people in,” Campbell explained.  “What they allow Iraqi and coalition forces do is to closely monitor the traffic in and out the area, though, and help ensure the safety of the residents.

“Barriers are already in place in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah district, and reports from some of the residents there is that they welcome the stepped-up security measures,” Campbell said.

Clearing operations and cordon and search operations continue throughout the MND-B area of operations.  Two recent security operations that have been very successful – one on Baghdad’s west side and the other in Diwaniyah, Iraq, a city south of the Iraqi capital.

“Operation Arrowhead Strike 9 began April 2 in the Mansour district,” Campbell said.  “The operation detained 49 suspects and found 23 caches, demonstrating to the Iraqi people the commitment of the coalition and Iraqi security forces to secure this city by targeting anti-Iraqi forces.

Operation Black Eagle, which continues in Diwaniyah, began April 6 with the intention to disrupt illegally-armed militia activity in that city.  Campbell said more than 100 suspects have been detained there, ten weapons caches have been uncovered and 11 explosively-formed projectiles were found in two separate caches.

“The Iraqi-led operation is bringing back peace to the people of Diwaniyah,” Campbell said.  “In the aftermath of clashes with militiamen, the focus in Diwaniyah is now on maintaining security, reconstruction, the infrastructure and allowing residents to get on with their lives without fear.”

Successes are also occurring regularly inside of Baghdad, as Iraqi security forces and their coalition partners aim to disrupt insurgent networks through precision, intelligence-driven targeting.  Some of that intelligence is coming from the local populace.

In one such instance, Shia militia elements loyal to the rogue Jaysh al Mahdi (JAM) leader known as Abu Dura launched multiple rockets into the International Zone on Saturday, Campbell explained, as a response to the recent detention of several key leaders in this criminal group.

“In a sign that average Iraqis increasingly trust their security forces, a resident tipped off the national police to a second rocket launch site,” he said. “The national police responded and disrupted the planned attack. Ten rockets were recovered before they could be fired. The police disabled the firing mechanism and removed the rockets for exploitation.”

To date, more than 200,000 patrols have been conducted in support of Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon.  More than 300 caches have been uncovered and more than 800 improvised explosive devices have been found.  The Iraqi Army, police and Iraqi national police continue to lead the security effort in support of the operation, Campbell said.

The number of attacks against the civilian population of Baghdad has declined over the last six months Campbell said.  In November 2006, 41 percent of all attacks reported in the city were directed against civilians, he noted.  During the month of April, 20 percent were targeted the civilian population.

That 50 percent decline in attacks on Baghdad residents Campbell attributes to the increase in security patrols, clearing operations on-going throughout the city and the creation of safer neighborhoods.

Campbell said that while attacks have continued to decline over the first nine weeks of the new security plan, some attacks have been very lethal in nature, noting the four vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonations within the MND-B footprint April 18.

“Al Qaeda in Iraq indiscriminately targets civilians across Baghdad intent only on causing chaos to undermine the government of Iraq and dishearten the Iraqi people,” said Campbell, 50, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.    “We’ve deprived terrorists from attacking the pedestrian markets in eastern Baghdad by enhanced security measures, so Al Qaeda in Iraq sought out new targets for their terror attacks like the bus depot near the Sadriyah Market during rush hour on Wednesday.”

Shia militia members have also brought their own brand of lethality to Iraq, in the form of explosively-formed projectiles.  Since January 1, Campbell said 54 EFPs have detonated within his division’s area of operation against coalition forces, killing 19 service members and wounding 84 more.

“We’ve been able to find 37 EFPs since the first of the year, and we continue our efforts to shut down roadside bombers,” the general said.

Despite the bombings, the level of sectarian violence in the Iraqi capital has also decreased, Campbell said.  There has been a sharp decline in the number of murders in Baghdad security districts.

“The April daily rate for murder victims is the lowest in the past six months,” Campbell said.  He said there has been a 27 percent reduction in murders compared to last month, and a 65 percent decline compared to November 2006.”

Despite the reduction, terrorists continue to use sectarian slayings to intimidate the local populace.   Al Qaeda in Iraq brutally executed members of the local Sunni population in Rashid security district who would not support their extremist doctrine.

“The bottom line is that we are in a very tough fight with our Iraqi security force brothers and the government of Iraq,” Campbell said. “We remain committed to them and the Iraqi people.”

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, deputy commanding general of the Multi-National Division %u2013 Baghdad and the 1st Cavalry Division, walks off a helipad of an MND-B base camp in Baghdad during one of his many battlefield circulation trips in an around the Iraqi capital. (U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl, MND-B PAO)	Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division lay out magazines of ammunition and weapons found in a room in order to get an accurate count during a cordon and search in Baghdad%u2019s Mansour district during Operation Arrowhead Strike 9 April 11. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)
Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division ask the residents of a house to open their gate in order to search during a cordon and search in Baghdad%u2019s Mansour district during Operation Arrowhead Strike 9 April 11. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)	Cpl. Joseph Casiano from Company B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, checks out a vehicle for explosive devises during a cordon and search in Baghdad%u2019s Mansour district during Operation Arrowhead Strike 9 April 11. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)
A Soldier from Company B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division talks to Iraqi children while pulling security during a combined cordon and search with the Iraqi Army in Baghdad%u2019s Mansour district during Operation Arrowhead Strike 9 April 11. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland)

BREAK TIME — U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Reese and his military working dog Grek wait at a safe house before conducting an assault against insurgents in Buhriz, Iraq, April 10, 2007. U.S. Army soldiers and Iraqi army soldiers are going house-to-house in search for weapons caches and enemy fighters after more than 1,000 residents of this Baqubah suburb were displaced by Al-Qaeda insurgents. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsal. Source

 Baghdad, 23 April 2007 (Al-Sabaah)

Ministry of national security has denied accusations of Los Angles Times newspaper about sectarian divisions in Iraqi intelligence services, saying that this information is far from truth.

Media adviser of the ministry said in a statement that two intelligence services are working under government and law umbrella to fight terror and its incubators, adding that they work in vast cooperation with other security services and there are regular meetings to manipulate information to enforce and develop Iraq security.

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA

CAIRO, Egypt, 23 April 2007 (Associated Press)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki got a strong endorsement from the Egyptian leadership as he began a tour to drum up support from fellow Arab nations for his government and its efforts to reduce widespread sectarian violence.

Al-Maliki — making his first visit as prime minister to Egypt, the Arab world’s most populous nation — met with President Hosni Mubarak for about 45 minutes Sunday and later held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Nazif.

During the visit, al-Maliki said he had ordered a halt to the U.S. military construction of a barrier separating a Sunni enclave from surrounding Shiite areas in Baghdad after fierce criticism over the project at home.

The U.S. military announced last week that it was building the three-mile-long and 12-foot-tall concrete wall. U.S. and Iraqi officials have defended plans for the barrier as an effort to halt some sectarian violence. Residents and Sunni leaders complained it was a form of discrimination that would isolate the community.

“I oppose the building of the wall and its construction will stop,” al-Maliki said during a news conference. “There are other methods to protect neighborhoods, but I should point out that the goal was not to separate, but to protect.”

Al-Maliki’s visit came 10 days before two conferences on Iraq will be held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik. They will be attended by Iraq’s neighbors as well as Bahrain and Egypt, and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council — the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain — and other members of the Group of Eight industrialized nations.

Al-Maliki won’t attend those meetings but is lobbying for more help from the mostly Sunni-led governments of the Arab world in stopping violence in Iraq.

“It was a positive and comprehensive meeting and we discussed the problems in Iraq. I clarified to the president the reality of what is going in Iraq, which is not a civil or sectarian war,” al-Maliki said during a joint news conference with Nazif. “We found that Egypt is ready to be a partner in Iraq’s reconstruction and that Egyptian companies have a role that we are ready to support.”

The prime minister blamed al-Qaida in Iraq for the violence that continues to plague Iraq, despite a U.S.-led security crackdown that began on Feb. 14 in Baghdad.

Nazif said they discussed the situation in Iraq and international efforts to help the embattled Arab nation.

“Egypt stands by Iraq and we affirm our support to the Iraqi government’s efforts for reconciliation between all parts of the Iraqi society and we condemn terrorism that does not differentiate between anyone,” Nazif added.

Al-Maliki planned to travel next to Kuwait and aides said the United Arab Emirates and Oman might be added to his agenda.

The Iraqi leader also said “there are efforts to release” five Iranians who were captured by U.S. forces on Jan. 11 in the northern city of Irbil in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq, 220 miles north of Baghdad.

U.S. authorities said the five detained Iranians included the operations chief and other members of        Iran’s elite Quds Force, which is accused of arming and training Iraqi militants.

The Iraqi prime minister’s visit came 10 days before two conferences on Iraq will be held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik. They will be attended by Iraq’s neighbors as well as Bahrain and Egypt, and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council — the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain. Al-Maliki won’t attend those meetings.

On Tuesday, he said his Iraqi government is holding talks with some insurgent groups, including members of Saddam Hussein’s former regime, as part of a reconciliation plan aimed at reducing fighting and terrorist attacks that have left thousands of people dead in Iraq in the past few years .

Al-Maliki did not identify the groups his government is in contact with, but said that when the Sharm el-Sheik conference takes place on May 3-4, “we will have good chances for reconciliation.”

In June, al-Maliki announced a 24-point national reconciliation program that offers amnesty to members of the Sunni-led insurgency who were not involved in “terrorist activities,” and amends a law that had removed senior members of Saddam’s Baath Party from their jobs.

Earlier this month, the prime minister visited Japan and South Korea, members of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.

By Norris Jones, Gulf Region Central District
Apr 22, 2007 - 4:50:37 PM

Blackanthem Military News:

Allan Nelson and Lt. Col. Culen Robinson, both members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, visit the Baghdad International Airport. (USACE photo by Norris Jones)

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Baghdad International Airport currently has between 18 and 24 flights transporting more than 1,000 passengers daily to destinations inside and outside the country. The environment there feels like any other airport in the world with its duty free shops, restaurant and other stores that sell books and clothes.

Allan Nelson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, says about 1,200 Iraqis are employed there and he’s proud of the numerous improvements that have been completed over the past two years.

“We installed 2,600 new runway lights and 350 kilometers of cable,” Nelson noted. “It was a tremendous undertaking and a very satisfying moment when we turned those on and the airport was lit up for the first time in years.”

He says when he started in November 2004 none of the air conditioning units worked, the sewer lines were blocked, and water was pouring from the bathrooms out into the corridor.

He oversaw the installation of 6,000 new florescent lights in the terminal and the renovation of more than 250 bathrooms.

“We re-polished the marble floors, painted the walls, replaced about 500 broken panes of glass, put in a new potable water filtration system, new street lights for the section of highway leading to the airport, and cleaned the carpets,” he continued.

“We put in two new 2400-ton chillers and rebuilt the two existing 1700-ton chillers. Today there’s plenty of air conditioning capacity,” he said.

Currently, he’s working on a project where 80,000 meters of new 33kV feeder lines will provide a more stable source of power to the area, assisted by three electric substations that have been rebuilt.

“The new terminals were opened in the early 1980s and little was invested in routine maintenance over the past few years. Much of the infrastructure there was nonfunctional when I arrived,” said Nelson.

He singled out the Iraqi airport manager’s staff for special praise saying, “They’re doing their job for the same reason we’re doing our job – to make it better.”

Nelson is concluding two and half years in Iraq and returning to his job with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District. The 54-year-old has three daughters and is heading home to see the arrival of his third grandchild.

He resides in Hager City, Wisconsin, and plans to retire next year and find time to do a little fishing as he lives on a 40-acre farm near a trout stream.

“I appreciate this opportunity to serve in Baghdad and help with the airport project,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure working here and to walk away and see what you’ve done has made a difference and will benefit this country for years to come.”

ADDITIONAL PHOTO:

Signs in the Baghdad International Airport mark the way for passengers navigating in the terminals catching flight or returning from them. (USACE photo by Norris Jones)

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces raided a building southeast of Fallujah where terrorists had been operating and uncovered two dump trucks and materials to make improvised explosive devices.

In addition to the dump trucks, Coalition Forces found twenty 20-pound bags of sodium sulfate and 76 five-gallon drums of nitric acid, materials that are used to make explosives.
The materials were destroyed at the site.

By Multi-National Division - North PAO Apr 20, 2007 - 4:41:14 PM

Iraqi army soldiers salute during a pass and review at a basic training graduation ceremony April 19 at the K-1 Iraqi Army Base’s Regional Training Center in Kirkuk. The 1,895 new soldiers form the foundation for a new Iraqi army brigade that will officially stand up in late May.

Blackanthem Military News,

KIRKUK, Iraq – The Iraqi army added 1,895 soldiers to its ranks when they graduated from basic combat training during a ceremony at the K-1 Iraqi Army Base’s Regional Training Center.

The soldiers will help to form a new brigade, the 4th Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, which will officially stand up in late May.  Commonly known as the Samarra brigade, their area of responsibility will include north of Baghdad up to Samarra.

The same soldiers who have trained together during basic combat training will also train with their future brigade officers and noncommissioned officers.

“Today’s graduates learned and trained together which will help them be successful,” said Iraqi army Lt. Col. Yashar Medhat, RTC operations officer. “Since they arrived to K-1 to join the new brigade, they’ve been happy to train and ready to go wherever they are needed.”

It’s the first time that Iraqi soldiers have completed basic training as a unit and then go on to train with their brigade leaders before officially standing up, according to Lt. Col. Gerald Snell, RTC officer in charge.

A military transition team from the 82nd Airborne Division will advise the brigade during the rest of its RTC training and after it officially stands up.

The eight-week basic training included daily physical training, AK-47 qualification, first-aid, checkpoint operations, cordon and search, and convoy training.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Iraqi army soldiers perform a tactical demonstration during their graduation ceremony April 19 at the K-1 Iraqi Army Base’s Regional Training Center in Kirkuk.

Iraqi army soldiers march during a basic training graduation at the K-1 Iraqi Army Base’s Regional Training Center in Kirkuk. The eight-week basic training included daily physical training, AK-47 qualification, first-aid and convoy training.

By Sgt. Tony White, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Apr 20, 2007 - 8:58:29 AM

An Iraqi Police officer scans up a set of stairs during a cordon and search mission Saturday in Al Sukhaira, near Samarra, Iraq. The Iraqi Police along with Soldiers from C Co., 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, conducted an air assault mission into the town after receiving a tip from a local.

Blackanthem Military News,

SAMARRA, Iraq — Running at nearly a sprint under the full moon’s light, Iraqi police officers move towards the first house with U.S. Soldiers bringing up the rear. Quickly, they secure the home, clearing the rooms with the U.S. Soldiers moving in right behind them.    Samarra police officers and Company C, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Soldiers air assaulted together into the open fields in Al Sukaira looking for suspected members of an insurgent cell responsible for firing mortar rounds at Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces the past few months.

Although the combined forces were not able to locate any of the targets, the success of the mission was centered on the intelligence the police officers were able to gather through their questioning of the local population, said 1st Lt. Matthew Aubrey, acting as a liaison for the police and Company C.

“None of the targets were there,” Aubrey said, “but we did get intelligence on other individuals who work for (anti-Iraqi Forces). It is a success because intelligence drives operations. When we get something like that, it leads to future operations.”

Outside the second home, a team of Iraqi police officers secure the home with the Company C Soldiers watching over their positions from the house’s rooftop. Inside, conversations continue as the police officers question a woman about some pictures they found.

In the Samarra area, where making enemy contact translates to almost daily fire fights, the Iraqi Security Forces continually participate in air assaults and regular patrols along with Coalition Forces.

ISF have become an increasingly common sight for the Soldiers of Patrol Base Razor.

“We always do joint raids and patrols with them,” Aubrey said. “They still need to work on their discipline, but the improved discipline has gone a long way. They actually go on patrols now by themselves, plan their own targets and develop their own intelligence.”

Reports of an individual in the reeds along the banks of the Tigris River have the combined forces moving. After 30 minutes of walking through waist-high water and around reeds ten feet high, the individual is surrounded by the forces.

Although Iraqi Security Forces have come under criticism in the past, the progress they have made provides obvious advantages to the American troops working with them.

“If they weren’t there with us last night, we wouldn’t have had the combat power we did,” Aubrey said. “We wouldn’t have had the efficiency clearing the objective and questioning the people that we did. It is good for the locals to see an Iraqi face in their house rather than a lot of foreigners that can’t speak their language. There is a difference.”

The police officers and Soldiers sit down for an early breakfast, eagerly awaiting the mission debriefing, signaling the end of the mission. They need to get home; later that afternoon they will be meeting up again to patrol Samarra.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

An Iraqi Police officer scans down a hill after reports of possible insurgents along the river banks during a cordon and search mission Saturday in Al Sukhaira, near Samarra, Iraq. The Iraqi Police along with Soldiers from C Co., 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, conducted an air assault mission into the town after receiving a tip from a local.

C Co., 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Soldiers look over a rooftop after reports of possible insurgents along the river banks during a cordon and search mission Saturday in Al Sukhaira, near Samarra, Iraq. The Iraqi Police along with Soldiers from C Co., 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, conducted an air assault mission into the town after receiving a tip from a local.

By Multi-National Division - North PAO Apr 20, 2007 - 4:47:25 PM

Capt. Christopher Curtis, the brigade surgeon with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, talks with a pediatrician about a patient’s care at the Kirkuk Pediatric Hospital in Kirkuk, Iraq, on April 19, 2006. Curtis arranged for a large delivery of vital medical supplies for the hospital such as IV fluids, sutures, antibiotics, x-ray films and more. The Kirkuk Pediatric Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in the province, and has been undersupplied for over a year due to security issues with transporting medical supplies from the Ministry of Health in Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Amanda Morrissey, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Blackanthem Military News,

KIRKUK, Iraq – 25th Infantry Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team delivered medical supplies to the Kirkuk Pediatric Hospital April 19.  The delivery included 6,500 intravenous bags, 3,400 bottles of medicine and needles, sutures and X-ray films.

Cpt. Christopher Curtis, 3rd Brigade’s surgeon coordinated for the delivery of supplies to take place at the hospital instead of at the medical supply warehouse.  This will get the supplies to the hospital so they can be used for treatment immediately.

According to Curtis, these supplies will help fight the most common ailments faced by Iraqi children: fever, infection and dehydration. The IV bags and needles will enable treatment of approximately 3,000 children to be treated for dehydration, IV medications, or have fluids for surgery.

“The supplies and medicines change the type of services we are able to provide and improve medical care for the children.  The fluids will help treat fever and prevent illness from dehydration in the summer,” said Dr. Rashid Burhan, Deputy Director of Ministry of Health.

All of the supplies were procured as part of the Coalition Force Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP).

“The (pediatric) hospital has not received enough supplies due to the lack of security in moving them from Baghdad,” said Curtis.  With this large push of supplies, he plans for the hospital to get several months ahead in medical and surgical treatment. The money and time saved can be used to order supplies for the future and establish a system of supply delivery.

In addition to the supply delivery, Curtis routinely meets with the doctors and student residents to teach, coach and mentor them in order to improve treatment procedures.

“The general basis of knowledge of the doctors is fantastic,” said Curtis.  “The standard of care is very high, and they manage to keep the hospital very clean, which is challenging in this [dusty] environment.”

By ensuring supplies are on hand for treatment and providing technical assistance as Iraqi doctors provide medical care to their own people, Curtis anticipates Iraqis will gain confidence in their medical system and not rely on coalition facilities.

“With these supplies we have everything for medical care.  I want the media to let people know we are ready for any emergency and can treat any condition,” said Burhan.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Lt. Col. Michael Browder (middle right), the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment commander, and Dr. Rashid Burhan, the deputy director of the Ministry of Health, answer questions at a press conference with Iraqi and U.S. military media in front of the Kirkuk Pediatric Hospital in Kirkuk, Iraq, on April 19, 2007, about a large delivery of vital medical supplies for the hospital such as IV fluids, sutures, antibiotics, x-ray films and more. The Kirkuk Pediatric Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in the province, and has been undersupplied for over a year due to security issues with transporting medical supplies from the Ministry of Health in Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Amanda Morrissey, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Lt. Col. Michael Browder (middle right), the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment commander, and Dr. Rashid Burhan, the deputy director of the Ministry of Health, shake hands after Dr. Rashid was given a small token symbolizing a much larger delivery of vital medical supplies for the hospital such as IV fluids, sutures, antibiotics, x-ray films and more on April 19, 2007. The Kirkuk Pediatric Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in the province, and has been undersupplied for over a year due to security issues with transporting medical supplies from the Ministry of Health in Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Amanda Morrissey, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

25th Infantry Division Soldiers from Schofield Barracks, HI, work with local Iraqis to unload a large delivery of vital medical supplies for the Kirkuk Pediatric Hospital in Kirkuk, Iraq, on April 19, 2007. The delivery consisted of IV fluids, sutures, antibiotics, x-ray films and more. The Kirkuk Pediatric Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in the province, and has been undersupplied for over a year due to security issues with transporting medical supplies from the Ministry of Health in Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Amanda Morrissey, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Local Iraqis unload a large delivery of vital medical supplies for the Kirkuk Pediatric Hospital with the assistance of 25th Infantry Division Soldiers in Kirkuk, Iraq, on April 19, 2007. The delivery consisted of IV fluids, sutures, antibiotics, x-ray films and more. The Kirkuk Pediatric Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in the province, and has been undersupplied for over a year due to security issues with transporting medical supplies from the Ministry of Health in Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Amanda Morrissey, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Title:	AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR APRIL 19
Release Date:	4/21/2007
Release Number:	07-01-03P
Description:	SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower supported Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed a show of force near Saraw under the direction of a Joint Terminal Attack Controller. The F-15s were assigned to observe two individuals and conduct route reconnaissance in the vicinity. Near Sangin, U.S. Air Force F-15Es flew reconnaissance along the ridgelines and valleys in an area where Coalition forces were operating. The F-15 pilots received an update that a Coalition foot patrol had encountered a mine. The foot patrol had taken cover in a building to avoid being attacked. The F-15s were directed to fly over the building in a show of presence to deter any attack. One F-15E also supported a convoy as it left the same area. In total, 32 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Eight U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. In Iraq, U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons performed a successful show of force for Coalition forces near Tikrit despite a sandstorm and poor visibility. The F-16s also performed counter-improvised explosive device missions in the same area. In Kumayt, U.S. Air Force F-16s were requested to perform a show of force and provide overwatch for a convoy that was reportedly attacked by explosively formed projectile devices. The convoy reorganized after the attack and continued their mission. The ground commander asked for aircraft to examine the area near a bridge along the convoy’s planned route. A U.S. Air Force C-130 crew, specially equipped with a Scathe View ISR system, reported that a group of approximately 40 people were gathering at the bridge, a natural chokepoint for the convoy. At the request of the ground commander, the F-16s performed a successful show of force and dispersed the crowd. The F-16s were then assigned to observe an Iraqi Defense Force attack at coordinates provided by a JTAC. The F-16s observed two vehicles with approximately four passengers involved in activity around what appeared to be a hole in the road. The car’s passengers then got back in their vehicles and drove off. The F-16 crews tracked the vehicles and passed on information to the JTAC. Near Taji, U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided a show of force, dispensing 30 flares in support of a Coalition convoy that was struck by an IED. At the request of a JTAC, the A-10s provided overhead coverage of Coalition forces while a Coalition quick reaction team was en route. Near Balad, U.S. Air Force F-16s searched for anti-Iraqi forces and IEDs. The F-16s were assigned by a JTAC to scan for suspected shooter locations in support of Coalition forces. Other U.S. Air Force F-16s supported Coalition forces disarming an IED and receiving small arms fire near Balad. The F-16s provided reconnaissance of the location and observed Coalition forces raiding a house. Near Baqubah, U.S. Air Force F-16s provided support for Coalition forces receiving small arms fire. The F-16 pilots reported a possible look-out individual on a roof top and observed someone walking to each corner of the roof. They also reported a possible IED along the Coalition forces route. U.S. Air Force F-16s continued providing counter-IED and counter-insurgent overwatch near Baghdad. At the direction of a JTAC, the F-16s were assigned overwatch of Army vehicles in a convoy. Royal Air Force Tornado GR-4s provided overwatch and route sweep for a Coalition convoy hit by an IED near Al Amarah. The GR-4s performed a show of presence. A JTAC reported that the ground forces were reassured by the GR-4s’ presence in the area. In total, Coalition aircraft flew 49 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported Coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch of reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Fourteen U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance. U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. More than 150 airlift sorties were flown; more than 275 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,775 passengers were transported. Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Iraq flew in support of OIF or OEF. On April 18, U.S. Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 38 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.2 million pounds of fuel.

 By Ali al-Nashi

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Karbala, 20 April 2007 (Voices of Iraq)
Director of Karbala health department said on Thursday that the cornerstone was set in place for the project of expanding the emergency unit in the Hussein public hospital which will cost around 1,200 billion Iraqi dinars ($ 156 m).

“We set in place the cornerstone for the project of expanding the emergency unit in the Hussein public hospital, the first upgrading of the hospital since its establishment in 1973,” Dr. Alaa Hamoudi Bedier told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

“The 1150-square meters project will cost 1.2 billion dinars,” he added, noting that the project would be accomplished in seven months.

“The project is very important as it provides many medical services to citizens, as the hospital is the only one in Karbala,” Dr Bedier also said.

“The unit will consist of two rooms for minor operations with the most advanced equipments,” he stated.

Karbala is located in southwest of Baghdad. It is the second Shiite city after Najaf. It hosts the Shrine of the third Shiite Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Muhammed It is 108 km southwest of Baghdad. IraqUpdates

 By Saadon al-Jaberi

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20 April 2007 (Azzaman)Grand Aytollah Ali Sistani has forbidden the killing of Muslims in Iraq and has urged the government to disarm all militia groups in the country.

Sistani, Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, made the call in a meeting which grouped both Muslim Shiite and Sunni clergy from the provinces of Baghdad, Basra, Diyala, Tikreet, Ramadi, Kirkuk and the Kurdish region.

The visit was to explore ways of ending the current sectarian strife in the country and methods to bring about national reconciliation.

“We have come to visit (Sistani) to back the project of national reconciliation … Sistani has forbidden the shedding of blood of all Muslims and reiterated the necessity of the state being the sole possessor of arms in Iraq,” said Sheikh Mohammed Talabani, a Sunni cleric and head of the delegation.

Ali Khafaji, another cleric in the delegation, said the visit was to demonstrate to the Iraqi people that both Shiite and Sunni clergy were against the shedding of Muslim blood.

“The visit was to spread the spirit of love among the sons of one nation and put an end to discord and confront those sowing it,” he said.