Dear Interested Reader,
Our troops take pride in participating in ground breaking ceremony to build a school for the children of the Karmah Nahia area. Another media advisory of a ground breaking ceremony for the Airport road revitalization project. Will we see it? A tender story of reconciliation and families reunited to work for the good of Iraq. Many criminals detained, as well as weapons and munition caches seized.
Joanna
______________________________
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
July 2, 2008
New school symbolizes beacon of change
BAGHDAD - Leaders and local residents of the Karmah Nahia, northwest of Baghdad, gathered with Soldiers from the 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID, at the future site of the Mossab Bin Omer School, for a groundbreaking ceremony, June 24.
"This project is very important to the children of this area," said Sheik Larense. The school is being built by the support of CF and helps serve as a monument of change in the area that was once plagued by crime. Now the community is able to build its school in safety, knowing that once the project is complete, the school will serve as a beacon of hope to the rest of the Karmah Nahia area and Iraq, Larense said.
For MND-B Soldiers, the ceremony represents a beacon of change and reconstruction in the once war torn area of Karmah Nahia. "This celebration bodes a bright future for the citizens of Eastern Karmah," said Capt Jeffery Higgins, a 21st Inf Regt co. cmdr. "The construction of the Mossab Bin Omer School really marks a major accomplishment of the local Tribal Council and Karmah Nahia working closely together to provide essential services to the citizens out here. Without their hard work and dedicated selfless service to the people, this even would not have been possible."
Completion of the school is planned for the start of the next school year.
Capt. Jeffery Higgins stands with local leaders of Karmah Nahia area at the groundbreaking ceremony.
(U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Dustin Weidman)
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MND-B combat patrols net two detainees, munitions cache
FOB FALCON - In the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, June 30, at approx. 8:30 a.m., soldiers from the 1st BCT, 4th ID, reported an Iraqi citizen handing over a 120 mm illumination mortar round, 2 bags of homemade explosives, a bag of TNT, and a smoke grenade in the Karb De Gla community.
Soldiers from the 1st BCT conducted a search op in the Bayaa community and detained for questioning a known Special Groups criminal at approx. 10:45 a.m.
At approx. 4 p.m., soldiers from the 1st BCT detained a suspected criminal in the Aamel community. The patrol returned to a CF outpost with the suspect to conduct questioning.
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Media Advisory: Airport Road Groundbreaking Ceremony
WHO: All media
WHAT: GoI, Iraqi SF and MND - Baghdad leaders will conduct a groundbreaking ceremony for the Airport Road Revitalization Project.
WHEN: July 5, 11 a.m.
WHERE: The Rashid district of southern Baghdad.
WHY: Col. Ted Martin, cmdr. of the 1st BCT, 4th ID, MND-B, will co-host the event with Amin, the mayor of Baghdad, to celebrate the beginning of the road improvement project to showcase the gateway to Baghdad. Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, cmdr., MND-B and the 4th ID, and Mayor Amin, guest speakers, will highlight the security and economic progress occurring in the capital city.
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IA, MND-B Soldiers discover weapons caches in Baghdad
BAGHDAD - Iraqi SF and MND - Baghdad Soldiers uncovered weapons caches in Baghdad, June 30.
Iraqi Soldiers serving with Soldiers from the 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div,and 1st BCT, 4th ID found 5 EFPs, 32 mortar rounds, 17 RPGs, 5 RPG launchers, an AT-4, 3 hand grenades, 2 night vision goggles, 8 120 mm mortars, 3 RPG chargers, 5 radios, PKC ammo, several 60 mm fuses, detonation wire, and more than 40 fake ID cards, a complete 60 mm mortar firing system, 31, 60 mm mortar rounds; 6 RPG rounds, more than 400, 7.62mm rounds; 8 RPG boosters, 7.62mm links; 25, .45 caliber rounds; and a Glock magazine.
"Since May 20, MND-B Soldiers and their Iraqi SF partners have seized 360 weapons and munitions caches throughout Baghdad," said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman, MND-B and 4th ID. " Over 550 IEDs and EFPs, more than 2,300 rockets, mortars and artillery rounds and 4,200 rifles have been seized."
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IA, MND-C Soldiers detain four suspected criminals in village of Mushada
CAMP STRYKER - IA Soldiers successfully led a joint ground and air assault mission, detaining 4 suspected criminals in the village of Mushada, June 27.
The operation demonstrated the ability of IA and CF soldiers to react rapidly on an objective. "So far, I think they are doing very well, said Earnhart. "They were really quick to get on the target and they have shown a lot of professionalism and ability."
"I like the way (CF) operated on the battlefield, and it gives me more experience on how to deal with the people here," said Pfc. Mohammed Medibv. "These missions are very important. They get rid of the bad people so the rest of us can live in peace."
"Al Qaeda used to operate in this part of the country before, but because of the joint effort of the CF, the IA and the SoI, we were able to kick them out," said Waleed. "Our job here is to make sure they don't come back."
Captain Geoffrey Earnhart, a 3rd BCT, 101st Abn Div. (AASLT) co. cmdr. and Iraqi Capt. Waleed, cmdr. discuss final plans before the ground and air assault mission.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Amber Emery)
2nd Lieutenant Hyrum Garvin, a 3rd BCT, converses with an Iraqi soldier after the ground and air assault
mission.
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MND-B Soldiers detain three suspected criminals
BAGHDAD - In the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, June 30, Soldiers from the 1st BCT, 4th ID, detained a known criminal while acting on a tip from a SoI member at approx. 12:30 a.m. in the Doura Market area.
At approx. 1:45 a.m., acting on tip from another SoI, Soldiers with the 1st BCT, detained 2 individuals believed to be transporting weapons in the Saha neighborhood of the Zubaida area.
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ISOF, elite ISF units continue clean up operations in Amarah
BALAD - According to Iraqi Brig. Gen. Jawad, the Iraqi National ERU cmdr., ISOF and ISF will continue to conduct ops in the area until the citizens of Amarah are safe and free from the criminals in their city. In the past several days, Jawad and his men, along with Hillah SWAT and ISOF, have detained more than 20 individuals on warrants issued by the Ministry of Interior.
The past weeks' clearing efforts have allowed the GoI to take control of Amarah and work to establish a lasting presence for security and stability. Many Special Groups criminals, particularly the top-level criminals, fled the area to avoid capture.
According to a local sheikh, Amarah is used as a shipment point for all of the provinces in Iraq and a "warehouse" for weapons and wanted criminals traveling back and forth from Iraq and Iran. In-depth searches for hidden weapons caches in Amarah by Iraqi Forces yielded approx. 7 sites. Estimated finds by ISOF, SWAT, and ERU include roughly 180 lbs. of explosive compounds, 600 anti-tank mines, 280 RPGs, 200 various EFP-making materials, more than 1,000 assorted rounds of ammo, 320 mortar rounds, explosive-making materials and various weapons including more than 80 pieces of sniper equipment.
Citizens are counting on the GoI to continue seizing illegal weapons and weeding out the corrupt officials and criminal elements from their city. Jawad believes the GoI will be successful and will ultimately turn Amarah into a peaceful community and a better place for its citizens.
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Iraqi citizens receive chance to start new lives
BAGHDAD - Iraqi citizens were released from the Jisr Diyala JSS, following a reconciliation ceremony, June 25.
The ceremony, which is held once a month, is a chance for the former detainees to reunite with their families and celebrate returning to their villages.
Eighteen men were detained after being found guilty of criminal acts. The reintegration process offers these citizens the chance to make amends for the mistakes of their past and start fresh.
"I ask that when you begin to build your new life, establish it on the new Iraqi laws," said Salem Bedin, Jisr Diyala city council leader.
The men were urged to help the fight against criminals in their area as they integrate back into their villages. "I ask that you join us in the Iraqi SF and help us continue our fight," said Mahmoud Jablawe, Tuwaitha North SoI leader.
An Iraqi citizen hugs his son and daughter after being released from custody.
(U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Michael Schuch)
An Iraqi citizen is reunited with his mother and 2 brothers.
An Iraqi citizen tells a story to his son and family while waiting to be released.
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