Thursday, 15 May 2008 By Renanah Miles
Multi-National Division – Center PAOBAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Center launched a major operation May 15 to improve the quality of life for Iraqi citizens of the Mada’in Qada, in southeast Baghdad Province.

Marne Dauntless will build capacity for stability and security in a new part of MND-C’s battle space.  This operation builds on the success of Operation Marne Piledriver, which kicked off in April across the Mahmudiyah Qada, south of Baghdad.

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division is assuming authority from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and will be responsible for Marne Dauntless.

The security gains achieved by the 3rd HBCT over the last 15 months have set the stage for this effort, according to the commander Col. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr.

“When we first got into the Mada’in Qada, we were experiencing probably four or five attacks a day,” said Grigsby.  “Now … we’re down to maybe an attack every other day.  All this violence that has gone down has created this window now, that we can think capacity, not just security.”

In addition to economic and governance development, Marne Dauntless aims to eliminate lingering criminal elements in the area. The Iraqi Security Forces will take the lead in targeting criminals and their networks through intelligence-driven operations, with support from Coalition forces to ensure they are unable to conduct attacks or smuggle munitions into Baghdad.

“The ISF in Mada’in Qada have grown to a level of operational readiness that allows them to take the lead,” said Maj. Dave Waldron, ISF chief, G3 section, 3rd Infantry Division. “The National Police and Iraqi Army have proven they have a good working relationship with the townspeople and local leaders. This has recently provided significant intelligence to assist in conducting operations to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq and other criminal networks in Mada’in.”

To build additional capacity to provide security, policemen of the 3rd Battalion, 1st National Police Brigade, will establish a presence in the northern Jisr Diyala area and Narhwan. An Iraqi Police base is planned, along with expanding a nearby combat outpost to accommodate joint operations. Building police and joint security stations will allow the ISF to position their forces deeper among the population, Waldron said. Additionally, he said the NP, as a governmental entity, will provide a link between the Government of Iraq and the areas in which they operate.

As people’s need for security is met, they seek improvements in other basic needs areas, such as jobs, health care and clean water, said Col. David Brost, effects coordinator for the 3rd Infantry Division.

“Without improvements in these basic needs areas, the hard-fought gains in security are potentially at risk,” Brost said. “Marne Dauntless is providing for the basic needs and services of the local population, as well as revitalizing the local economy in order to further drive a wedge between the local population and the criminals who threaten their security.”

Commander’s Emergency Response Program funds will be used for short-term, immediate impact projects ranging from community councils to schools and governance projects. However, Coalition forces are working with the Government of Iraq to inject funding into projects for long-term maintenance and viability.

Grigsby said about $7 million would be spent on those short-term projects, including microgrants to small business owners. As part of the operation, he said, a Jisr Diyala development conference will be held in upcoming weeks, where the community will lay out its vision to the Baghdad government of what it wants to look like in five years.

“Last year, the Baghdad government spent $1 million in Mada’in Qada,” Grigsby said. “So far this year they’ve spent $86.1 million of Baghdad money in the Mada’in Qada. That’s huge momentum.”

In the mainly agricultural Mada’in Qada, where almost three quarters of the population are either farmers or in farm-related businesses, water systems will be improved, including refurbishment of water and irrigation pump stations.

A revitalization of the poultry farming industry is also planned, with eight chicken farms slated for improvement.

Extending over the upcoming months, Marne Dauntless will cover a full spectrum of initiatives, from market refurbishments to employment centers, power line repairs, billboard emplacement and an increase in transmission power for the radio station currently operating in Wahida.

“By using money as a weapon system, funding schools, health care clinics, employment centers, etc., Marne Dauntless focuses on creating more stakeholders in a peaceful and productive Iraq,” Brost said.

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