Iraqs Inconvenient Truth :: Iraq War News Updates

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – “Martinez! We made it!” Army Sgt. Luis Rivera-Valentin shouted to his fellow soldier Sgt. Luis Martinez upon seeing him in a coalition hospital in Baghdad.

Hours before, on the morning of April 22, Rivera-Valentin and Martinez rode through eastern Baghdad in an RG-31 Nyala mine-protected vehicle. They were clearing roadside bombs insurgents had littered across the landscape.

Around 1 a.m., an explosively-formed penetrator — a shaped charge designed to penetrate vehicle armor — exploded into the vehicle.

“The bomb hit right on my side window,” Martinez said. “The shrapnel came right through my eye, destroying the lens and the cornea.”

Hot shrapnel ripped through the vehicle and also hit Rivera-Valentin’s eye, leaving him partially blind too.

“Right now, I don’t have any lens in my left eye,” he said, motioning to an eye patch held fast over his eye socket by an elastic band.

The two National Guard soldiers met after Martinez was promoted to sergeant and transferred into Company A, 130th Engineer Battalion, from Puerto Rico. As they became friends, they realized they had much in common. In fact, one could say they lives were mirrored.

Each man’s hometown lies a few miles off Autopista Jose de Diego highway near Puerto Rico’s northern coastline, where each lives with his wife and two kids.

They sat next to each other inside the same vehicle when it was rocked by the detonation. Their lives flashed before their eyes at the same exact moment while on the same road in a foreign country.

The soldiers wheeled next to each other on stretchers, and each man reached over his gurney and held his fellow soldier’s hand in the hospital. Matching black oval patches now cover each man’s single injured eye.

And at Walter Reed Medical Center here, where each soldier’s uniform was pinned today with an identical Purple Heart Medal, doctors told each man he has a 50 percent chance of regaining vision in his damaged eye.

But the two friends don’t worry about the surgeries that will take place over the next three months, they say, and their friendship has been reinforced during their mutual recoveries.

“We talk all the time about having faith in God, and that we’re going to fine,” Martinez said. “We talk about it, we cry about. The more you talk about it the better you feel about it, and the more you raise your spirits.”

Rivera-Valentin is equally optimistic. “I feel very well. I give thanks to God everyday because at least I can see my family,” he said.

The soldier says he’s confident in the medical attention he’s receiving at the Army hospital. “They’re great doctors,” he said. “They say they’re going to do their best.”

Rivera-Valentin and Martinez were two of 14 soldiers who received the Purple Heart Medal at Walter Reed today. The Purple Heart, awarded to U.S. servicemembers wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy, is one of the most recognized and respected military decorations.

Today’s recipients are among the nearly 27,000 servicemembers wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom and nearly 1,500 wounded in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Photo - Army Sgts. Luis Martinez and Luis Rivera-Valentin wear the Purple Heart Medals they received July 27, 2007, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., for wounds received in Baghdad in April. Defense Dept. photo by John J. Kruzel.

30 July 07
By Spc. Alexis Harrison
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

BAGHDAD - As Operation Arrowhead Ripper moves along in Diyala, ever so quietly, Operation Rogue Thunder swept through a section of the capital in hopes of ridding the area of anti-Iraqi forces for good.

The 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army, their Military Transition Team and Soldiers from the U.S. 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, cleared al-Jamea’a of caches, bombs and insurgents while helping to ramp up security efforts to reclaim the area terrorized and bullied by al-Qaeda.

Terrorists in the area had been ruthlessly controlling every action of the people according to Maj. Chris Norrie, the transition team’s commander. Women were forced to cover their faces, men were arrested for no apparent reason and children weren’t even allowed to play soccer in the streets.

At one time al-Jamea’a was occupied by white-collar professionals until insurgents began scare tactics that led many of the well-off residents to leave their homes. Many of the mansion-sized homes in the neighborhood are empty, and as Capt. Peter Kilpatrick said, the empty homes are seen as an opportunity for insurgents to move in.

“Only 30 percent of al-Jamea’a was occupied,” said Capt. Kilpatrick. “The vacancies made it vulnerable.”

Several caches had been found during previous operations around the Najra Mosque area. During the first day of this operation, streets and shops around the mosque were empty. A few people cautiously came out to see the Humvees, tanks and Iraqi army vehicles stage. This would begin the lengthy process of securing the area.

Sgt. Kenneth Swartwood said many of the residents are happy to see the Coalition forces move into their neighborhood. More importantly, the combined presence of Iraqis and Americans working together proved to the people just how important the area’s security was.

“We came in with open arms to the Iraqi army,” said Sgt. Swartwood. “A big reason Adel and Jamea’a are good now is because of the partnership with the IA. They actually worked with them hand-in-hand. The civilians feel a lot better when it’s a partnership. They feel like it’s twice as secure.”

After many of the new security measures were in place, the commander of the Iraqi Army battalion, Col. Raheem went to the mosque to use its loudspeaker to make an announcement to the people in the neighborhood.

He let it be known to the people that coalition forces were in the area to make a change for the better. He said security will improve for the people and that they have not only God watching them, but the entire coalition.

“Almost immediately, people began to come out of their homes,” Col. Raheem said. “These people deserve to live in peace after al-Qaeda had oppressed them for so long.”

Now that security measures are in place, Capt. Kilpatrick said coalition forces in the area will have 24-hour surveillance over the entire area.

“We’ve established several static positions,” he said. “However, I don’t think locals would have felt comfortable with putting a coalition outpost next to the mosque without help from the Iraqis.”

Col. Raheem said many of the locals feel that having a combined presence in the area is good and that it helps gain the trust of the people even faster.

Photo - The commander of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, Col. Raheem, points out locations of traffic control points and other security measures being placed in Al Jamea’a during Operation Rogue Thunder. The Iraqi army battalion, along with a Military Transition Team and Soldiers from the U.S. 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, swept the area and implemented several new security measures during the operation. Photo by Spc. ALexis Harrison.

Tuesday, 31 July 2007By Army Spc. Stephanie Homan
MNC-I PAO

The 329th Chemical Platoon, Task Force Phantom, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, participated in a joint operation July 12-17 to recover a large quantity of nitric acid found in a cache in the city of Fallujah. Photo by Army Spc. Stephanie Homan, MNC-I PAO.

FALLUJAH — The 329th Chemical Platoon, Task Force Phantom, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, participated in a joint operation July 12-17 to recover a large quantity of nitric acid found in a cache in the city of Fallujah.

The platoon, a reserve unit from Winter Park, Fla., helped remove of 40,000 gallons of the acid, said Army Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Hart, platoon leader, 329th Chem. Platoon, TF Phantom, MNC-I.

Nitric acid is a toxic, acidic, colorless liquid used to make fertilizers, dyes, explosives and other chemicals.

Twenty Soldiers from the platoon worked in conjunction with Marines from Multi-National Force-West and Soldiers from Multi-National Division-Center on the four-day mission to complete the task.

“Our mission was to aid in the recovery of the nitric acid,” Hart said. “Our job is to secure it so it cannot be manufactured and made into homemade explosives that are used against Coalition Forces,” Hart said.

Army Capt. Eric Dunkley, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, TF Phantom, MNC-I, said he feels involvement in missions like this improves safety of Soldiers on the battlefield and deeply impacts chemical Soldiers down the road.

“They support MNC-I not just for (hazardous material) identification, but to see that it is properly stored and moved for disposal,” he said. “The majority of the work they have done here not only impacts the units in the affected battle space but the schoolhouse training in the rear. The unit is having a large impact.”

By P. Parameswaran and Jailan Zayan

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31 July 2007 (AFP)US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Arab leaders in Egypt on Tuesday, extracting renewed promises of help in Iraq and reaffirming Washington’s commitment to the creation of a Palestinian state.

Rice, accompanied by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, met with foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf Cooperation Council states at the start of a regional tour aimed at countering Iran’s growing influence, notably in Iraq.

“We discussed how to support a unified Iraq where all Iraqis can live in peace and security,” Rice told journalists after the meeting that included top diplomats from GCC states Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

With Saudi Arabia accused of allowing Sunni militants into Iraq to fight US forces and Iran accused of equipping Iraqi Shiite militias doing the same, the parties called in a joint statement for “an end to all interference in Iraq.”

The statement called for the prevention of “the transit of terrorists to Iraq” and an end to the “supply of arms and training to the militia and extra-governmental groups” in the war-torn country.

Rice warned that if unnamed “determined enemies” were successful “then this whole region is going to be chaotic,” while Gates sought to allay what he said were regional fears of a precipitous US withdrawal from Iraq.

“There is clearly a concern … that the US would somehow withdraw precipitously from Iraq, or in some way that is destabilising to the entire region,” Gates said at a press conference with Rice.

But, he added, even those at home calling for US troops to quit Iraq were increasingly aware “of the need to take into account the consequences if we make a change in our policy and the dangers inherent in doing it unwisely.”

And amid renewed impetus to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Rice and the Arab foreign ministers reiterated their commitment to a two-state solution, including an end to Israel’s occupation of Arab lands captured in 1967.

Rice also said a number of initiatives, including an Arab League peace plan, needed to be pulled together ahead of a Mideast peace conference called for by US President George W. Bush and tentatively slated for September.

“We really don’t want to have a meeting for the sake of having a meeting,” Rice said.

However, Rice and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit sought to play down Monday’s announcement of a multi-billion-dollar military aid bonanza for Washington’s friends in the region, which Iran is accused of “destabilising.”

“The US is looking to assure our allies that we are going to be reliable for meeting their security needs,” Rice said of the new military pacts worth 20 billion dollars (14.6 billion euros) for Saudi Arabia, 13 billion dollars for Egypt and 30 billion for Israel.

The arms package for other Gulf states is reportedly worth at least 20 billion dollars, although the United States says the precise figure is still undecided.

Abul Gheit said he was “amazed” at the attention being paid to the arms gifts, “because military assistance to Egypt has been an earlier relation that lasted for the past 25 years.”

Rice had earlier dismissed Iran’s charges that the arms package would create fear and harm relations between countries in the Middle East.

“I think if there is a destabilisation of the region, that can be laid at the feet of an Iranian regime that is engaging in the kind of activities that I just outlined,” she said.

On her way to Egypt she accused Iran of fuelling terrorism in Lebanon, backing Shiite militias in Iraq, aiding Hamas in the Palestinian territories and harbouring ambitions of acquiring nuclear weapons.

But Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini accused the US of having always had “a special policy of spreading fear in the region and tarnishing existing good relations” between countries in the Middle East.”

And the Islamic republic’s defence minister, Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, accused the US of “trying to create a false arms race, in order to keep their weapon factories up and running.”

Oman said on Sunday that Iran did not pose a threat to the Gulf region.

“Iran is a neighbouring state and we have a common interest, which is to maintain stability and security in the region,” said Yussef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, the Omani minister responsible for foreign affairs.

US President George W. Bush accuses Tehran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but Iran insists its atomic programme is purely peaceful.

Gates and Rice later traveled to Saudi Arabia, for talks with King Abdullah, before making separate trips elsewhere in the region. Iraq Updates

27 July 07
By Spc. Mathew Leary
4th BCT PAO

Hearing the explosion just around the corner from his vehicle July 15, Army Sgt. Felix W. Bala knew that some of his fellow Paratroopers had just been hit by an improvised explosive device.“We were cruising along about to make a turn when all you could hear was the explosion,” Bala said.

Commanding his driver to quickly take the next turn so they could help their presumably injured comrades, Bala’s truck executed a sharp left turn and pulled up near the damaged HMMWV. By this point, the other vehicles in his platoon had formed a wide perimeter around the blast area. As their truck rolled to a stop, the Soldiers were relieved as they looked back at the truck in question, Bala said.

“By that time, the guys in the truck were getting out of the vehicle under their own power,” he said.

While this IED attack involved Bala and Paratroopers of 1st Platoon, Troop A, 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, it is a reminder that for all U.S. servicemembers serving in Afghanistan, the fight against IEDs is critical.

“The way to cut down on IEDs is to build the relationship between local citizens, the Afghan National Security Force and the [Islamic Republic of Afghanistan],” said Army 1st Lt. Briton M. Crouch, 1st Plt. leader for Troop A, 4-73rd Cav.

For this reason, the Paratroopers of the 4-73rd Cav. are headed back to the town of Hassan in Gelan district, the village where an IED went off under one of the trucks, the day after the attack.

IED-DAY Minus 1

Leaders from the 4-73rd Cav. are determined to pursue all leads relevant to the IED attack on Troop A just the day prior to July 16. The return trip to the village is designed to achieve one simple goal–stop further IED attacks.

“We are doing a follow-up in the area to garner more support,” said Army Capt. George E. Bolton Jr., commander of Troop A. “You have to work with the people so they will prevent [IED attacks] from happening.”

As troopers from the 4-73rd Cav. arrive in town, a handful of local villagers begin to fill the streets to see what is going on. After a few minutes, more and more locals enter and begin approaching and talking to the Soldiers, although often neither party can understand the other due to the language barrier.

Although not all the conversations can be translated, fortunately there are interpreters with Troop A to facilitate some communication, the fact any talking is taking place is a good sign, Bolton said.

“They showed up and that’s the first step,” he said.

A group of village elders, who are the authoritative figure for Hassan, gather together with ISAF to hold an impromptu shura, a sort of town meeting in Afghanistan.

Speaking with Bolton and Army Lt. Col. David J. Woods, commander of the 4-73rd Cav., the locals speak their minds about the conditions in their town. They address the security situation and lack of ANSF forces in the area.

One of the problems facing the developing ANSF in the past is they have not had the capabilities to visit all of the villages in their area. However, as they grow and mature, they are slowly extending their hold over areas of Afghanistan that have been void of any law enforcement for several months, Woods said.

“They told me the Taliban comes in at night driving through the village to harass and intimidate the people,” Crouch said.

IED-DAY Minus 2

The Paratroopers are preparing to head back to Hassan to again engage the local populace, but this time with the aid of ANSF and District Commissioner Mubaballah, who is the head of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Gelan.

“This is where we assist the ANSF in their mission,” Bolton said.

Mubaballah and ANSF soldiers independently wanted to visit the town, but with their police and military forces spread out on other missions they lacked the resources to travel there. So they teamed up with ISAF to make the trip.

“That’s part of our role here, to allow the establishment of their government in their own country,” Woods said. “That’s our job, that’s our purpose.”

ISAF support ANSF by providing the police force the extra manpower to cover most of the district and provides training to the ANP and ANA, showing them standard military techniques and strategies, Woods said.

Really, this is the best way to curb IED attacks that injure not only military forces but Afghan civilians as well. Developing a congenial relationship between the people, IRoA and ISAF are the key, Woods said.

At this shura, ISAF personnel take a back seat as the district commissioner engages the village elders, again encouraging them to work with ANSF and government officials.

“When a police chief or government official comes down to see them, it makes the people feel like they are loved and cared for,” Bolton said.

The results are evident as the townspeople speak freely about their need for new roads and schools, as well as the threat of Taliban insurgents who plant IEDs on their roadways.

“The whole thing is for us to separate the Taliban from the people,” Bolton said.

“These people are afraid of the insurgency and unsure of their government,” Woods said. “But that’s why we are here, to help them establish those relationships, and show them that the ANSF and [IRoA] are going to give them that sense of security.”

By providing that link between the people and their government, while simultaneously distancing the insurgency from the people is exactly the way to slow down the emplacement of IEDs in these remote towns and villages, Woods said.

It is evident some form of bonding is taking place as children run up to Soldiers tugging on their sleeves playfully and the villagers and troopers exchange waves and smiles

Perhaps that will prevent more Soldiers from cruising along and suddenly hearing that sound no Soldier wants to hear:

KABOOM!

Photo - Communicating through means other than talking, Sgt. 1st Class Matthew S. Parrish, mortar platoon sergeant for Troop A, 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, demonstrates the art of “high-fiving” to a group of Afghan kids July 16 while visiting Hassan village in the Gelan District, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Photo by Spc. Matthew Leary.

31 July 07
By Staff Sgt. Matthew O. Holly
13th MEU

NEAR KARMAH, Iraq — Explosive Ordnance Disposal, without question, is one of the most stressful occupations in the Marine Corps, and, if at all possible, it makes sense to rid EOD Marines of unnecessary stress and tension.

nter the Personnel Security Detachment of 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit EOD, also known as “Task Force AWESOM-O,” headed by Staff Sgt. Jason D. Walker, MEU force protection chief. This unit, made up Command Element and Combat Logistics Battalion -13 Marines, enables EOD to focus on their ever-important task of neutralizing IEDs and reducing weapon caches.

“Our mission is to come out here and provide security for the EOD team,” said Walker. “That way EOD can concentrate on their duties while knowing they have security watching their back.”

To build “Task Force AWESOM-O,” sections throughout the MEU were asked to give up qualified Marines who were willing and able to lay their current duties aside. As many Marines were eager to participate, there was competition for the limited number of spots on the team. This, and finding the right people for the job, was a task in itself. Ultimately, the appropriate Marines were identified, put in place and more than two weeks of solid training commenced.

“We had to come a long way and complete a lot of training in a short span of time,” said Cpl. Anthony J. Principe, an infantry assaultman with the 13th MEU and a Placerville, Calif. native. “Very few Marines on the team have an infantry background, but the roles were assumed, just as Marines are trained to do, and the security detachment came together.”

Walker said he has a great group of Marines and is impressed with how they jumped into their individual roles and took the initiative to come together as a team in a very important function.

“I would take any of these Marines into battle with me,” said Walker. “I look forward to watching them grow into their responsibilities and do what they’re trained to do– so EOD can do what they do.”

Although they have only been called upon a handful of times to date, the Marines of “Task Force AWESOM-O” are standing by and ready to assist EOD.

Photo - The Personnel Security Detachment of EOD, also known as “Task Force AWESOM-O,” headed by Staff Sgt. Jason D. Walker (center), force protection chief for the 13th MEU, and made up of Marines from the 13th MEU command element and Combat Logistics Battalion 13, set up security for EOD as they prepare to neutralize a weapons cache near Karmah, Iraq. Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew O. Holly.

11 terrorists killed, 13 detained during Operation Woodshed Posted: 30 Jul 2007 01:31 PM CDT 11 terrorists killed, 13 detained during Operation Woodshed

16 SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA TERRORISTS CAPTURED Posted: 30 Jul 2007 01:26 PM CDT 16 SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA TERRORISTS CAPTURED

MND-B ATTACK AIRCRAFT KILLS TWO ARMED INSURGENTS Posted: 30 Jul 2007 01:23 PM CDT MND-B ATTACK AIRCRAFT KILLS TWO ARMED INSURGENTS

July 31st, 2007 Post From Pat Dollard’s Blog.

The New York Times ran a piece Monday by two non-“neoconservatives” — Michael O’Hanlon and Kenneth Pollack — arguing that the war in Iraq can be won. Is this indicative of some kind of mood change afoot? Could we really win this war? Could the rhetoric in Washington really change? National Review Online asked a group of experts.

Victor Davis Hanson, Frank J. Gaffney Jr., Senator John McCain, Clifford D. May - Read

 ** Please Visit Pat At: Pat Dollard.Com

31 July 2007 (Iraq Directory)

An economic conference is being held in Baghdad under the slogan (rebuilding Iraq by the hands of Iraqis) on Monday.

This was announced by Mr. Raad Omar, Executive Director of the American Trade and Industry Chamber, the executive agency of the conference. He said that the conference will be attended by Iraqi companies, the Office of Rebuilding Iraq, representatives of donor countries, the American embassy in Iraq, representatives of a number of ministries and the Iraqi government.

Omar explained that over two days the conference will discuss the phenomenon of unemployment and ways to develop solutions through the creation of successful employment opportunities within the campaign of rebuilding Iraq, and the reduction of unemployment in cooperation with concerned bodies.

He said that the conference will also focus on ways to find proper mechanisms for the recruitment of unemployed to serve reconstruction and to urge Iraqi companies to benefit from such employment.

A number of economic reconstruction projects will be highlighted in this forum before the business community, and a questionnaire will be distributed. The conference is the largest of its kind intended to support and provide jobs for the unemployed in the private sector working on reconstruction.

Meanwhile, Director of the Businessmen’s Center in Baghdad International Airport, Mr. Majid Michel, said that the conference is of particular importance because it will signal the start of reconstruction there with the announcement of several projects for Iraqi companies only.

Mr. Muhannad Abdul Hassan, the Public Relations Director, said a new questionnaire will be used on creation of employment opportunities for unemployed registered in the training institutes of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and programs to place them in projects put to Iraqi companies. News courtesy of Iraq Updates Limited

 Karbala, 31 July 2007 (Voices of Iraq)

The tourism police department and the police intelligence captured 66 Pakistani nationals during the past three days, for entering into the province using fake visas, the media spokesman for the Karbala police department said on Monday.

“A total of 66 Pakistani nationals who entered into the province using forged visas were arrested by the tourism police during the past three days,” Rahman Mashawi told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

Police forces arrested an Iraqi in central Karbala last Thursday for having links to a foreign group which forges visas for dozens of foreign residents for $150.

“Police forces will continue crackdown operations to hunt down foreigners who entered into the province with forged visas,” he added.

Karbala, a holy city for Shiite Muslims, is located 108 km south of Baghdad. It hosts the shrine of the third Shiite Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Mohammed. Shiite Muslim pilgrims come from Iran and Pakistan and elsewhere in large number to pay a visit to the holy shrine. News courtesy of Iraq Updates Limited

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2007 – Iraq’s national police are in the second portion of a four-phase program to help them become a proficient, loyal law enforcement organization that serves all of Iraq’s citizens, a senior U.S. military officer said today.

The 25,000-plus-member national police organization falls under the Iraqi government’s Interior Ministry as a “bridge force” between regular police and the Iraqi army, Army Col. Mark R. French, deputy commander for professional development and training for the Civilian Police Assistance Team, told online journalists and “bloggers.”

“Many of these forces have fought bravely; thousands have died in fighting the insurgents,” French said.

Iraq’s regular police perform routine municipal duties, while its armed forces are focused on external threats, French explained. The national police, he continued, serve as an auxiliary law enforcement agency that could be engaged to address internal threats to the nation, such as militia-generated violence against the central government and its citizens.

Today, most national police officers are stationed in Baghdad, helping U.S. troops during surge-related, anti-insurgent operations, French said. Smaller contingents are serving in Samarra and Balad.

The Iraqi Interior Ministry merged commando, emergency-response and other units to create the national police in March 2006, French said.

In summer 2006, U.S. Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., then-commander of Multinational Force Iraq, decided the national police weren’t performing properly and needed an overhaul.

“At that time, General Casey directed a four-phase transformation program be initiated for the national police,” French said. The first phase, he said, included an overall look at operations, including personnel and supply practices.

The second phase, being conducted now, is a month-long training program for each national police brigade, French said. About 75 percent of the curriculum teaches students how to perform law enforcement duties in a democracy, he said, while the other 25 percent focuses on tactical skills such as patrolling, cordon-and-search operations, and conducting checkpoints. The program is slated to conclude about Oct. 10.

Phase Three consists of “Carabinieri-like” training scheduled to start around Oct. 15, French said. The Carabinieri are Italy’s famed paramilitary police force.

“Right now, this training is envisioned to last about 90 days,” French said. “It’s a leader-centric, train-the-trainer focus.” The curriculum includes public order response, advanced investigation techniques, forensics, special weapons and tactics, and urban operations, he said.

The fourth phase, which has no start date planned, will consist of distributing newly trained national police officers to posts across Iraq, French said.

In the past, the national police have been accused of having anti-government militia members within their ranks, French acknowledged. Today, however, each national police member attending phase-two training is vetted, he pointed out.

“They’re checked against a Ministry of the Interior data base for criminal records or any history of sectarian militia activity,” French explained. “We’ve culled out quite a few.”
Related Sites:
Multinational Force Iraq

Tuesday, 31 July 2007Spc. Chris McCann
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAO

Capt. Scott Morris, a native of Devon, England and a member of the British Royal Marines, trains Iraqi troops on marksmanship. Morris is working with the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., since May, training Iraqi soldiers at Patrol Base Lion’s Den south of Camp Striker, Iraq, and is one of four British soldiers on a 90-day rotation with 2-14 Inf. Regt. (Courtesy photo)

PATROL BASE LIONS’ DEN — One of the United States’ longstanding allies is helping build the Iraqi army, sometimes from the ground up.

There are four British Soldiers serving with troops of the 2nd Battlion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., at Patrol Base Lions’ Den, Iraq, at any given time.

They aid the “Golden Dragons” of 2-14 Inf. Regt. military transition team, also known as a “MiTT.”

Capt. James Morris, a native of Devon, England, is a Royal Marine who came to work with 2-14 Inf. Regt.  as part of an officer exchange with U.S. troops.

Sgt. Paul Watson is a native of Manchester and a member of the Royal Guards, the well-known guards around Buckingham Palace who wear tall bearskin hats and are teased by tourists trying to get them to break their straight faces.

They and two others deployed April 28, training in Kuwait and Iraq, before arriving at Lions’ Den in May to work with the infantry battalion. They work closely with Capt. Dennis Grinde, of Grand Forks, N.D., and Sgt. 1st Class Scott Madden of Miamisburg, the MiTT commander and noncommissioned officer in charge, respectively.

“There’s really not much difference between the U.S. and British Armies,” said Morris, who served with the 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan in 2006. “Your armored Humvees are much better. But patrol tactics are not much different. You can integrate British and U.S. troops with no problem. What you call ‘fives and twenty-fives’ we call ‘five-meter-and-twenty-meter searches,’ but it’s not difficult to figure out. The tactics remain pretty much the same.”

Watson agreed.

“I call it ‘same (stuff), different Army,” Watson said. “Soldiers are Soldiers at the end of the day, wherever you go.”

“It’s really interesting, “Grinde said. “We’re really all one team. Like Winston Churchill said, fighting a war with an alliance is hard, but it’s impossible without one.”

The MiTT has been working on training many Iraqi soldiers, most of whom they had to re-train from the ground up because the troops had not internalized much of their previous training.

On a recent mission, much of the Iraqi company was 35 minutes late to begin the patrol.

“One of the platoon leaders, Omar, always has his guys there on time and squared away,” said Morris. “The others, not so much.

“We’re not trying to get them up to Western standards. We’re trying to get them to Iraqi standards, so that the British and American Soldiers can go home and they can have a functional native Army,” Morris said. “We’re not here to change their culture, we’re here to train them. In their culture, it’s very ‘insh’allah’ – God willing – being on time isn’t a big deal.”

“In the last four weeks, they’ve started really thinking,” Watson said. “They’re asking for vehicle support, but they’re doing their own techniques and we’re falling back a little bit.”

“They need confidence,” Morris added. “We’re trying to give them that, and then start weaning them off our support. We’re stepping back and doing overwatch while they do more of the missions now.”

After the Iraqis train at Lions’ Den, they will go south to Tallil to work with an Australian unit, which helps get them to a higher level of skill, Morris said.

Until then, the Soldiers of 2-14 Inf. Regt. and their British attachments continue to teach.

“If we train them in the morning and late afternoon, they remember more,” Morris said.

Making classes entertaining is also important, said Watson.

“The level of education and literacy they have means that practical, hands-on training works better,” he explained. “And when we make it a little entertaining, it works much better.”

The Coalition Forces also try to keep things entertaining for themselves.

The British regale the 2-14 Inf. Soldiers with tales of their riot training, with full-contact company-on-company riots, with a unit of British regulars against a unit of Nepalese Gurkhas. The fighting is no-holds-barred, with live Molotov cocktails – “petrol bombs,” as Morris and Watson call them – and attempted kidnappings.

The Americans enthusiastically ask about Watson’s time in the Queen’s Guard. (“Does the Queen send tea out for you?” “Yes, but we can’t drink it, it would involve moving,” And “What happens if you smile?” “Twenty-eight days in jail, no questions at all.”)

There is also some good-natured ribbing about the American Revolutionary War.

“You guys should be good at counter-insurgency now,” one Soldier said, laughing. “I think we kind of beat you with insurgency warfare a few years ago.”

“That you did,” Morris said, also laughing, “although we had a good run at the beginning. But we’re onto those tricks now.”

More importantly, the Iraqi troops are improving drastically.

Tuesday, 31 July 2007

In this recent photo an Iraqi soldier from 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division leads the way during a combined cordon and search operation in Baghdad. Photo by Staff Sgt. Bronc Suzuki, Joint Combat Camera Center.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH — Iraqi Soldiers and police officers creep in file along the dusty path, ignoring or pretending to ignore the escalating heat. Their boots hitting the dusty trail are the only sound, the lonely road the only scenery.

Suddenly, one of them notices a large white delivery truck parked off the road amongst some trees. While the rest pull security, he checks the deliveryman and his truck for any weapons or explosives. Everything is okay, so the patrol sets off again. Throughout the day there are other challenges, such as angry mobs and suspicious boxes.

It’s all part of a training day at a leadership course for Iraqi Army Soldiers and Iraqi national police officers. The course is vaguely similar to the U.S. Army Warrior Leaders Course, but it’s Iraqi-conceived and Iraqi-led. U.S. Soldiers are present, but only in observer and controller roles.

It is believed to be the first Iraqi-conceived and led leadership course since Operation Iraqi Freedom began. It started when U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi National Police Division’s transition team decided to have Iraqis run a rifle range, and it blossomed into a four-week course. For the first course, there were 20 Iraqi police officers and 30 Iraqi Soldiers, divided into two 25-man platoons.

There were some early growing pains, but the course attendees quickly came around, said U.S. Army Maj. Robel Ramirez of Naranjito, Puerto Rico, 1-4-1 NPTT chief.

“The first day on the run, they wanted to quit,” he said. “Now we run six kilometers and they’ll finish. They want to race me to the finish.”

After getting their confidence up, their attitude and performance improved.

“They’re doing a little better than I expected,” said Ramirez. “They’re taking pride in themselves and their unit. There is a healthy competition between the IA and the IPs.”

The main goal of the course, he continued, “is for them to have a better understanding of how to execute small unit leadership and be able to take their men and execute a mission.”

Attendees spent the first week on basics such as map reading, physical training, movement techniques, and drill and ceremony. Then they moved onto patrolling, offensive operations, reacting to explosives, and basic battle drills. By week three, they would be ready for an exercise to test what they learned.

With the first course running smoothly, Ramirez said there may be more courses coming. “We’re working on it,” he said. “We would like to have 20 Iraqi national police here every other month.”

The blueprint was an old Iraqi Army 60-day leadership development course.

“They crunched it into 28 days,” explained Master Sgt. Richard Jones of Cleveland, the 1-4-1 NPTT non-commissioned officer in charge. Attendees are presented with an array of challenges, according to Jones.

“They have dealt with boxes, celebratory fire from weddings, and direct contact,” Jones said. “Today should be interesting. Do you shoot to kill or let it go? They don’t know what’s coming. They’ll have to put what they’ve learned to use.”

There was some initial hesitancy between the Iraqi Soldiers and Iraqi Police to work together, but the Soldiers and police officers overcame it.

“It started rocky, but by the third day they had that friendly competition,” Jones said. “They came together on the obstacle course. They have to live and sleep and eat together.”

That bonding came in handy and helped them to meet the challenges.

“It’s long days and long nights, with map reading, reacting to fire, and clearing buildings,” Jones said. “It will all come together, then they’ll take this back to their units.”

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Donald Marshall of Miami, team medic for 1-4-1 NPTT, said attendees are showing slow, steady progress.

“It’s a building process,” he said. “It’s the first time it’s been done. This class right here is history. The guys stay motivated and they still hang in there. We had 100 percent that finished the six-kilometer run we did on Monday.”

The U.S. role is in the background, Jones continued.

“They have the right ideas, but they still have to be guided,” he said. “They’re eager to learn, they just need that direction and that’s why we’re here.”

(Story by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. W. Wayne Marlow, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs)

In other developments throughout Iraq:

• Iraqi Security Forces teams conducted a series of raids, July 29 detaining a suspected al-Qaeda cell leader responsible for attacks and facilitating foreign fighters in the Al Qaim area.

• Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted a dental and medical assistance mission in a small village near the neighborhood of Janeen July 27.

Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Force teams conducted a series of raids, July 29 detaining a suspected al Qaeda cell leader responsible for attacks and facilitating foreign fighters in the Al Qaim area.

With U.S. Special Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Police detained two primary suspects and three additional persons of interest in the vicinity of Husaybuh, located on the Euphrates River west of Al Qaim. Various documents, including multiple identification cards and passports, were also seized during the operation.

The cell leader, who allegedly runs al Qaeda in Iraq activities in Husaybuh, ispurportedly involved in the planning of future large scale attacks against CoalitionForces in the western Euphrates River valley. The second primary suspect is a schoolteacher believed to be spreading propaganda and recruiting his students to killmembers of the Iraqi Police and Army.

No Iraqi or Coalition Forces were injured during this operation.

School receives much-needed structural repairs.

By Multi-National Division – Baghdad Public Affairs Office

BAGHDAD, July 30, 2007 — Waoud kindergartners, 4-year-old Huda and her sister, 6-year-old Sara, waited all day in their fancy dresses and stood in the Baghdad heat to perform the most important duty they’d ever faced. Their job was to carry a small pair of scissors that would be used for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at their newly, renovated school.

“The renovations make us all very happy especially the furniture and the color; it’s a happy color.” Batool Shaker The school’s vice headmistress

On break from school, Sara showed up with her mother, one of the school’s teachers. When the team of Kindi Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) bigwigs showed up in their sweat-ringed shirts and ties, she got up out of her seat and handed them to the chairman, Hassan Al-Kharsan who cut the ribbon in front of a small crowd.

The reopening of the kindergarten was a “big change” to what the school was like during the last 16 years, said Al-Kharsan.

“Overall, I’m very happy,” said Batool Shaker, the school’s vice headmistress. “The renovations make us all very happy especially the furniture and the color; it’s a happy color.”

The school, which houses around 250 children in 12 classrooms, was in need of much repair to not only the structure, but also the playgrounds. So, the Kindi NAC sought out contractors who would do the work to their liking.

The renovations included new floor tiles, furniture, new soil and grass in the playgrounds, new playground gym sets, new bathroom and water pipes, and a fresh, new paint job with contemporary cartoon characters.

According to Shaker, there are only a few other changes the staff said they’d like to see. She said a vehicle to transport the children and pick up their food and milk would be really nice.

Waoud Kindergarten sits in an area currently patrolled by Company E, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

According to Capt. Greg Turner, Company E’s commander, Kindi, through its strong NAC, has great potential.

“They’ve got the best LNO (liaison officer) and a great community,” said the Butler, Pa. native. Company E’s 1st Platoon and elements of 4-9 Cavalry were on hand to attend the ceremony.

“This is your day,” Lt. Col. Patrick Matlock, 4-9 Cavalry’s commander told Al-Kharsan. The Chico, Calif. native said the NAC and the workers did a great job seeing the project through to the school’s reopening.

Whatever forward progress was made by the Kindi NAC, 6-year-old Sara was just happy that one day she can go back to her newly-renovated school.

“I’m going to play games, sing songs and have fun,” Sara said. “I fell happy and excited.”

Monday, 30 July 2007By Staff Sgt. Carlos J. Lazo,
3rd Inf. Div.

1st Lt. Shawn M. Thompson, battalion physician assistant, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, checks an Iraqi boy’s breathing July 28, in Wahida. Photo by Staff Sgt. Carlos J. Lazo, 3rd Inf. Div.

COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY — Using a school in the city of al Wahida, Soldiers from a Fort Bragg, N.C., Civil Affairs battalion attached to the 3rd Infantry Divsion set up a one-day clinic for Iocal residents July 28.

Known as a cooperative medical engagement, the operation requires Coalition and Iraqi forces to come together and provide medical treatment in prescribed areas, said Staff Sgt. Patrick R. Weston, special operations medical noncommissioned officer, Civil Affairs Team Alpha 712th, Company A, 97th Civil Affairs Battalion.

Physician assistants and unit medics out of COP Cleary diagnosed and provided medicine to those in need.

“It was open to anybody, anybody who came,” said Capt. Teri Gurrola, physician assistant, Company C, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

Citizens of all ages showed up seeking treatment with various illnesses and injuries.

“We’re able to treat pretty much everything they bring us, with the exception of dentistry issues and minor surgeries,” said Weston, a native of Tacoma, Wash. Weston attributes the unit’s broad capabilities to comprehensive pre-deployment planning.

Iraqi police attended the CME to assist the Company C Soldiers with maintaining security. Interpreters helped bridge the language barrier by translating for the Iraqis and explaining the correct doses of medicine required. They also brought their families for medical care.

Local Iraqi medical personnel also participated in the cooperative medical engagement.

“We had a couple of nursing students who came out,” Weston said. “We arranged for those (personnel) to come out through the mayor of al Wahida.

“The people are very ready to come and be treated by Coalition Forces medical providers, and that’s great,” Weston said. “But at the same time we want them to believe that their own providers and government can take care of them as well.”

Medical personnel examined nearly 150 people during the engagement, and each physician treated 45-50 patients.

“Almost every person who left came over and literally touched me to thank me, and I knew that they appreciated us being there,” Gurrola said.

This is the fourth such operation the brigade has conducted, with an average of 150 to 200 people showing up each time to seek treatment, Weston said.

Along with the treatment and medicine, children in the community were provided with school supplies, toothbrushes and soccer balls.

By Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs Jul 29, 2007 - 3:32:36 PM

Capt. Scott D. Steele, a Soldier with 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, receives his end-of-tour Bronze Star Medal from Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs, during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Gabe, July 28. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Blackanthem Military News

BAQOUBA, Iraq – After a year-long tour, Soldiers – both American and Iraqi – gathered as brothers to celebrate their achievements and accomplishments during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Gabe in Baqouba, Iraq, July 28.

The Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stood tall and proud at the position of attention as they received their end-of-tour awards, the Bronze Star Medal, for their dedication and hard work with their IA counterparts.

Responsible for five combat outposts, five checkpoints, and tactical missions and training, the MiTT worked hand-in-hand with the 4-2-5 IA soldiers throughout the past year, preparing them to be the true protectors of their country.

“This is a small token that shows a whole year of experience,” said Lt. Col. James George, 2-5 MiTT commander. “It shows unity with Iraqis as their brothers, and moving toward a common goal.

“[The Iraqi soldiers] are the roots of the beginning of the army in Iraq, in Diyala,” George added.

Following the opening comments, Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and commander of Coalition Forces in Diyala province, spoke of the importance of the transition team.

“What we have seen through your hard work and efforts is greatness in 4-2-5,” said Sutherland. “What you have made is a difference for the Iraqi people.

“You can take that back and realize that you’ve touched thousands of lives,” Sutherland said as he spoke of the values the American Soldier embodies.

Following the ceremony, the Soldiers from the MiTT gathered to honor one of their fallen comrades, Capt. Donnie R. Belser, who is remembered by his fellow teammates as a “heroic American Soldier.”

“Today is sweet because it is the symbolic end of our team’s tour of duty,” said Maj. M. Shane Perkins, commander of 4-2-5 MiTT. “It is bitter because we leave behind so many comrades, many whose voices will forever be heard only in our minds.

“Of those voices, one in particular speaks the loudest,” Perkins continued. “That voice belongs to ‘Gorilla 4,’ Capt. Donnie R. Belser.”

While Perkins said it would be easy to focus on the loss and hurt the team felt Feb. 10 when Belser was killed in action, he stressed the reason for their presence was the dedication – an honor in knowing Belser.

“Our mission today, and in all the days to come, is to think of Donnie and all that he gave to us, to the Army, to his family and to this world,” Perkins said. “If each of us can live just a small fraction of our lives like Donnie, we will all be blessed with a better life.”

Following his comments, Perkins and George faced the new Capt. Donnie R. Belser Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center, uncovering a wall bearing the name and photo of Belser.

“I can think of no building more aptly suited to honor Capt. Belser than the one behind me,” Perkins said. “As any Gorilla can tell you, Donnie always improved our morale, he always placed the welfare of others before his own and he loved recreation.

“It is fitting that Capt. Belser will remain here at his last post, helping Soldiers cope with stresses of war.”

In closing, Perkins thanked his team, their families and the Belser family for their work and support.

“You are responsible for helping our team leave a lasting legacy of our sacrifices here in Diyala,” he said.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Members of the 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, and Coalition Forces assigned to 2-5 Military Transition Team, clap after the dedication ceremony of the Forward Operating Base Gabe Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center, July 28. The center was dedicated to Capt. Donnie R. Belser, a 4-2-5 MiTT, who was killed in action Feb. 10. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs) Maj. M. Shane Perkins, commander of 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, speaks after the dedication of the Forward Operating Base Gabe Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center during a ceremony, July 28. The center was dedicated to Capt. Donnie R. Belser, a 4-2-5 MiTT, who was killed in action Feb. 10. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

After the dedication of the Capt. Donnie R. Belser Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center on Forward Operating Base Gabe, Staff Sgt. Leotis Hightower, a medic with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, looks at movies while touring the center, July 28. Belser, a Soldier assigned to the 4-2-5 MiTT, was killed in action in Diyala province, Feb. 10. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry

By Maj. Randall Baucom, 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
Jul 29, 2007 - 3:00:23 PM

Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment found five weapons caches near the Tall Yusuf village of Abu Ghraib, Iraq July 26 as part of a major operation to eliminate the ability of insurgent groups to use the area as a staging ground for attacks into central Baghdad. Pictured above are just a few of the weapons confiscated in the operation. Co. A Soldiers worked with troops from Battery C, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment during the operation in which a kidnapping victim was also rescued and a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device factory was also discovered.(U.S. Army photo)

Blackanthem Military News

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers located multiple weapons and munitions caches, located a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device factory and rescued a kidnapping victim in northwest Baghdad July 26.

While conducting patrols in the area around Tall Yusuf village of Abu Ghraib, Soldiers form Company A, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment from the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division located five weapons and munitions caches. The caches consisted of mortars, anti-aircraft guns with ammunition, containers filled with high explosives, and other improvised explosive device-making material. The weapons, ammunition, and IED material were destroyed by an explosive ordnance disposal team.

Battery C, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Battalion conducted an air assault to relieve Co. A, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment at the cache sites and continued to patrol the area. While conducting their patrol the Soldiers discovered a VBIED factory, which contained several vehicles in different stages of completion.

While searching the building, a kidnapping victim was discovered. The victim claimed he was kidnapped in the Abu Ghraib area after visiting his relatives there. He said the persons responsible were agents of Al Qaeda, and they had kidnapped him because they believed he was a spy for the “1920 Brigade.” The 1920 Brigade is a former Sunni group that had rejected the government of Iraqi, but has recently made overtures to reconcile with the government and the Coalition to defeat Al Qaeda in Iraq. The victim claims he had been kidnapped for almost four days, and that he had been tortured.

After the man had been rescued, Battery C, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Battalion requested aviation assets destroy the vehicles and the building which was being used as a car bomb factory. Aviators from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cav. Div., destroyed the vehicles and a fixed-wing aircraft dropped a 500-pound bomb to destroy the building.

Battery C, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Battalion evacuated the kidnapping victim by helicopter back to Camp Taji where his wounds were assessed by Coalition doctors. Noting that the victim had no serious injuries, Soldiers from the 115th Brigade Support Battalion, convoyed the victim to Camp Liberty. From there, Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavarly Regiment returned the man to Abu Ghraib to be reunited with his family.

The 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division is conducting Operation Iron Blitz, a series of missions in northwest Baghdad, to eliminate the ability of Al Qaeda and rogue Jaysh al Mahdi special groups to use the area as a staging ground for attacks into central Baghdad.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

A rocket-propelled grenade launcher and a machine gun with rounds, pictured above, were just some of the weapons Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment uncovered in six different weapons caches near the Tall Yusuf village of Abu Ghraib, Iraq July 26. (U.S. Army photo)

After being kidnapped by insurgents and later rescued by Multi-National Division-Baghdad troops, an Iraqi man (left) relates his grueling ordeal to Soldiers from the 115th Brigade Support Battalion and the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment on Camp Liberty, Iraq July 27. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment found and rescued the man while assisting troops from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment during an operation to find weapons caches near Abu Ghraib July 26. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp, 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

1st Lt. Clay Hardwick of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment reassures an Iraqi man with a pat on the back on Camp Liberty, Iraq July 27 a day after the man was rescued from insurgents by Coalition Forces. While on his way to see a family member in Abu Ghraib, the man was taken hostage by insurgents. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment rescued the man and Soldiers from the 2nd Bn., 5th Cav. Regt. are currently in the process of taking the man home to awaiting relatives. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp, 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

By 28th Combat Support Hospital Public Affairs
Jul 29, 2007 - 2:29:59 PM

28th Combat Support Hospital, Task Force Mosul, Iraq Flight Evacuation Nurse Team — From right to left (Maj. Mark Wilkinson, 1st Lt. Meissel, Capt. Ford, Capt. Jason Graham, 1st Lt. Krum, Capt. Straight, Capt. Angela Rosario, Capt. Denneny, 1st Lt. Charles Paul, and Capt. Seda)

Blackanthem Military News

MOSUL, IRAQ – Ten registered nurses with the 28th Combat Support Hospital serve as Army flight evacuation nurses in Mosul, Iraq.

“Each CSH has its own specialized group of nurses who are ready to air evacuate patients on a moments notice,” said Capt. Angela Rosario, flight nurse, “Flight nurses must be registered nurses with advanced cardiac life support.”

The 28th CSH air evacuates a variety of injured patients with all types of health care issues. It is not uncommon to see civilians, contractors and other Iraqis in their care.  Most patient injuries include head, spinal shock, pediatric trauma, burns, myocardial infarctions or loss of limbs or eye site.

Flight nurses get a complete patient assessment before they take off.  After assessment, the flight nurse gathers necessary medications and supplies needed for the flight.  Throughout the flight, nurses continually assess the patient.

“Air evacuation flights would be unsuccessful without the help of the flight crew,” said Capt. Rosario, “The flight Crew in Mosul, Iraq, nicknamed ‘Bad Blood’ has a strong relationship with the 28th CSH flight nurses.”

“Before air evacuating any patients, ‘Bad Blood’ flight crew members meet with the flight nurses and give a safety briefing of what to do in the event of an emergency,” said Captain Rosario, “Nurses are given the opportunity to explore the whole medical evacuation helicopter.

“Being a member of the flight evacuation nurse team is strictly voluntary, said Maj. Mark Wilkinson, flight nurse, “It is demanding but necessary for the successful survival of our patients throughout the war zone.”

“For me its instant gratification, said Capt. Jason Graham, flight nurse, “I feel like a lifeline for my patients who are heroes.”

“I fly because it gives me the chance to really take care of our guys mono de mono and ensuring they get to the next step,” said 1st Lt. Charles Paul, flight nurse, “Just for the chance that they get out of here, even if it is just for the hope to get them home to their families, that is the only reward I need.”

“Flight care requires a skill set that caters specifically to critically injured patients,” said Maj. Wilkinson, “Naturally, those that have this attitude and possess the skills are motivated to fly with these patients—not for the glory, love of flying, medals, or because it’s “cool,” just because it’s our honor to care for these service members.”

“Flight evacuation nurses fly to save the lives of injured service members so that they can go home to their families,” said Capt. Rosario, “Their selfless courage and service reflects the ever growing impact of the Army Nurse Corps in war.”

 Sulaimaniya, 29 July 2007 (Voices of Iraq)

The Iraqi Kurdistan region’s government is ready to send 12,000 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters to protect power towers, the spokesman for the peshmerga said on Sunday.

“We’re waiting for the approval of the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki,” Jabbar Yawir, the undersecretary of the ministry of Peshmerga affairs, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

He said “we are in agreement with the central government in Baghdad to send 6,000 troops to protect power facilities on the Taza-Baiji highway.”

He pointed out that the central defense ministry in Baghdad has asked the Iraqi Kurdistan government in a meeting in Arbil, the region’s capital, earlier in July for dispatching 6,000 Peshmerga soldiers to protect the oil pipeline in the district of al-Shurqat, 80 km south of Mosul, which leads to the Turkish port of Ceyhan.

The Kurdish 2nd Brigade Commander, Anwar Hama Amin, had said on Saturday that Kurdish Peshmerga forces will be deployed in several areas of Kirkuk to protect power towers and oil installations.

“Bringing the Peshmarga to the province is part of an agreement and a protocol signed between the General Commander of the armed forces, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and the President of Iraqi Kurdistan region, Masoud Barazani,” said Amin in a press conference held on Saturday at the military training base of K1 in Kirkuk.

The Peshmarga is the Kurdish name for a militia that fought the former Iraqi regime, and, after the regime of Saddam Hussein withdrew the Iraqi army from the three Kurdish provinces in 1992, turned into paramilitary forces to protect the region. Two ministries were established to deal with the Peshmerga affairs in 2006 in the region’s government.

This is not the first time Peshmarga forces are sent to areas outside the region of Kurdistan. Three battalions were sent last March to Baghdad to help consolidating security in the capital.

The oil-rich city of Kirkuk, which contains a mix of Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Chaldean-Assyrians and Christians, is 250 km northeast Baghdad.

Meanwhile, Amin said that twenty-four suspects were arrested and seven car bombs were seized in a security operation that lasted for two days on the outskirts of Kirkuk.

News courtesy of Iraq Updates Limited

Riyadh, 29 July 2007 (Voices of Iraq)

King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, held on Sunday, talks with Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Emir of Kuwait on developments in Iraq and the area, Saudi official sources said.

Saudi sources said that the meeting, which was held in the ceremonial hall in King Abdul-Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, discussed events in the Gulf, Arab, Islamic and International arenas, particularly the situation in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon.

Sources also added that the two leaders discussed fields of cooperation between the two countries and ways of enhancing them to serve the interests of both nations.

Emir of Kuwait made a short visit on Sunday To Saudi Arabia. The talks came ahead of a ministerial meeting on Tuesday in Sharm El-Sheikh resort in Egypt, which includes U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the Foreign Ministers of the six Gulf Cooperation Council States, Egypt and Jordan.

It is scheduled that Rice and Gates tour the region this week, seeking Arab backing for stability in Iraq. News courtesy of Iraq Updates Limited

29 July 2007 (Iraq Directory)

Iraqi-US Chamber of commerce and Industry held an economic conference combining extensive Iraqi companies in addition to the Office of Reconstruction and representatives of donor countries to highlight the new program (Iraq first… $5 billion) sponsored by the multinational forces.

The Chamber’s Executive Director, Raad Omar, said that the conference “brings Iraqi companies, the Office of Reconstructing Iraq, representatives of the American embassy and of the donor countries, a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs as well as the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in addition to a senior delegation representing the Iraqi government.”

He explained that the conference will continue for two days at Al-Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad and that it would discuss the phenomenon of unemployment and ways to develop solutions through the creation of employment opportunities in the campaign of rebuilding Iraq and in cooperation with the concerned bodies.

He emphasized that the conference would also create real employment opportunities for Iraqi employments and ways of ending the obstacles that stand in front of them and working to find proper mechanisms for employing the (unemployment in Iraq) to serve the reconstruction of Iraq and urged Iraqi companies and businessmen to employ this segment in the various projects which will be presented during the Conference.

Omar said that the Iraqi-US Chamber of Trade and Industry will make an important questionnaire, which is the first of its kind in Iraq, during the conference in order to support and provide jobs for the unemployed in the private sector.

On his part, Director of the Businessmen Center in Baghdad International Airport, Majid Michel, said “We are trying through the conference to announce several projects to be allocated to only Iraqi companies aiming to employ Iraqi manpower.” News courtesy of Iraq Updates Limited

Iraq: 1
SA: 0

That’s a final!

______

Look at the banner in the background.

Blackanthem Military News

MOSUL, Iraq -

Coalition Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment discovered weapons caches inside two cars including assault weapons, machine guns, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and grenades, and propaganda material. The weapons were found during an operation searching the village of Al Sina near Mosul. The two vehicles attempted to flee the Coalition Forces, but were stopped.

Coalition Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment discovered weapons caches inside two cars including assault weapons, machine guns, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and grenades, and propaganda material. The weapons were found during an operation searching the village of Al Sina near Mosul. The two vehicles attempted to flee the Coalition Forces, but were stopped.

Coalition Forces Soldiers search a vehicle for weapons during an operation in Al Sina near Mosul, Iraq. The vehicle was one of two that attempted to flee as the Soldiers moved through the town. Both vehicles were stopped and the Soldiers discovered caches in each car including assault weapons, machine guns, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and grenades, and propaganda material.

Coalition Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment discovered a weapons cache in a vacant lot in Al Sina, near Mosul, Iraq, during operations in the village. The cache contained multiple RPG rounds, a launcher, explosives material and ammunition. It was one of three caches discovered by the Soldiers on that mission.

Coalition Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment discovered weapons caches inside two cars including assault weapons, machine guns, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and grenades, and propaganda material. The weapons were found during an operation searching the village of Al Sina near Mosul. The two vehicles attempted to flee the Coalition Forces, but were stopped.

Coalition Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment discovered a weapons cache in a vacant lot in Al Sina, near Mosul, Iraq, during operations in the village. The cache contained multiple RPG rounds, a launcher, explosives material and ammunition. It was one of three caches discovered by the Soldiers on that mission.

Sunday, 29 July 2007

Iraq’s prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, left, walks with Staff Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem, commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Diyala province, after arriving at the Baqubah Government Center for his first visit to the province since taking office, Thursday. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden.

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, met with the governor of Diyala, provincial leadership, key tribal leaders, Diyala’s Iraqi Security Force leadership and senior Coalition officers during a meeting at the BaqubahGovernment Center Thursday.“The prime minister’s visit is vital, not only for the government and security officials, but for the people of Diyala to see that their effort in achieving peace and fighting against terrorist groups does not go unnoticed,” said U.S. Army Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of Coalition forces in Diyala province.

The visit, which focused on current operations in the province as well as provincial-level government issues, was Maliki’s first trip to Diyala province since taking office.

“This is a great day for Diyala province because the prime minister is among us,” said Ra’ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi, governor of Diyala.

“We are here to thank all the excellent efforts by you (the government and security officials), and we also came to thank the people of Diyala,” Maliki said in his opening remarks. “We can say that the suffering of Diyala people is ending, and we in the central government appreciate all your efforts.”

During the meeting, Maliki addressed the peoples’ ability to rise above terrorism, assuring those present that the central government will continue to work closely with the provincial government and is committed to the people of Diyala.

“This province suffered a lot from the outlaws,” Maliki said. “They wanted it to be a huge graveyard, but we wanted something else for Diyala – and we succeeded when the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police, tribes and all other people found out what the terrorists are really made of.

“We are fighting against the terrorists and we will prevail,” Maliki added, before discussing the importance of tribal reconciliation.

“Iraq is not only for some people, it’s for everyone,” Maliki said. “We cannot ignore our nation and we have to be united in our efforts to build Iraq.”

“The tribes have to support the government in its war against the terrorists – they play a big role,” the governor added.

“Iraq, with all its (rich resources) and people, can eliminate all kind of threats,” Maliki continued. “We will all work together for the prosperity of this country and we will not let anyone interfere with our affairs or with the political process.”

“The ultimate success of Diyala lies in the hands of the people,” Sutherland said. “Today’s meeting continued to prove that the governments, both central and provincial, care greatly for the peoples’ safety, security and well-being.

“The will of the government drives the hope of the people,” Sutherland continued, “and I hope today’s visit, along with recent operations throughout Diyala, continue to restore that hope – a hope that the terrorists tried to destroy, but couldn’t.”

(Story by Multi-National Division-North Public Affairs Office)
In other developments throughout Iraq:

•  Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers along with Iraqi Army troops conducted Operation Rogue Thunder, establishing a new Coalition outpost in the western Baghdad neighborhood and uncovering a weapons cache Tuesday.

•  Coalition Outpost Lion was targeted in an insurgent attack with two car bombs, rocket-propelled grenade and machine gun fire two days after it was established in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Jamia Thursday.

Sunday, 29 July 2007

By Maj. Robert Couse-Baker
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs