Dear Interested Reader,
Enjoy a wonderful human interest story of a young man born in Baghdad returning to Iraq as an American Airman. His parents are very special too. There's also an inspiring story of a young female Airman serving with Army Soldiers to get the best job done. The Baghdad Zoo has been gifted of 2 Bengal tigers by the Conservator's Center in N. Carolina. Multiple weapons and munition caches seized, and many criminals detained or killed. AQI terrorist and bomb making networks disrupted.
_____________________________________________
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Aug.11, 2008
Baghdad Native Returns to Iraq as American Airman
Air Force Airman 1st Class Murad Mohiadeen defends an entry control point near the Air Force Theater Hospital at Joint Base Balad, Aug. 2, 2008.
Air Force photo and story by Staff Sgt. Don Branum
BALAD — Air Force Airman 1st Class Murad Mohiadeen's story crosses 2 continents and spans more than 7,500 miles. It begins with his birth in Iraq 20 years ago and continues today as the story of an American airman who is part of the Coalition's efforts to win the peace in Iraq.
Mohiadeen was born in Baghdad in 1988. His father, a Muslim, owned a small shoe co. and his mother, a Christian, stayed home to raise him and his brother. The family was financially comfortable, but something was missing. "They wanted freedom. There was no freedom there," Mohiadeen said. So the family emigrated from Iraq in 1990. "We just wanted a new life," Mohiadeen said. "Life was pretty hard when Saddam [Hussein] was in power."
Mohiadeen's family spent 2 years traveling through Jordan, Turkey and Germany before finally arriving in the United States. The voyage eroded most of the family's savings, but the trip was worth the cost. "Our family wanted freedom," Mohiadeen said. "There's freedom in the United States. It was like (we were) trading money for freedom, but if we had to do it again, it would still be worth it."
He lived with his family in Los Angeles for several years and later moved to Portland, Ore. When the U.S. began OIF in March 2003, his parents became linguists. "When the war kicked off, my parents saw an opportunity to help out and give back to the U.S.," he said. "They've both been to (Joint Base) Balad, and my mom just came back from Bucca. God bless her soul."
As a Muslim, Mohiadeen is concerned by the actions of terrorists, who he said he believes do not act in accordance with Muslim beliefs. "They say, 'Allah wants people dead.' There's nothing like that written," he said. "That's not a part of the faith I grew up with."
He joined the Air Force a year and a half ago to travel, get a college education and represent the Iraqi people. "I wanted people to understand," he said. "I try to do good things so when people think of me, they think better of all Iraqi people," he said.
One of the people with whom Mohiadeen has made a good impression is Air Force Maj. Scott Spiers, the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Sqdrn cmdr. "I was out on post checks when I met Airman Mohiadeen," said Spiers, who is deployed from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. "I noticed his name and asked where he was from, and he said, 'Baghdad.'" Mohiadeen shared the story of his family's journey to the United States with Spiers. "I thought it was a great story," the major said. "I think it's really cool to see people who have immigrated to the U.S., serving their country, especially when it means coming back to their homeland."
Mohiadeen volunteers regularly as a translator at the Air Force Theater Hospital here, and said he wants to cross-train to become an Arabic linguist.
The happy ending for Mohiadeen's story would include peace for the people of Iraq. "I want Iraq to be a better place," he said. "I want Iraq to have peace again." To the Iraqi people, he said, "God bless you and stay strong."
-30-
Blackanthem Military News
Airman serves with Soldiers to bring security to Iraqi people
By Sgt. Philip Klein
Senior Airman Kathleen Gasque, lays down electrical cord outside the 3rd BCT, 4th IDd, Intel Office, August 8.
(Army photo by Sgt. Philip Klein)
FOB WAR EAGLE - The fight to bring security to the people of Iraq requires the cooperation of all branches of the military. Gasque is a member of the weapons intel team who works with EOD teams for MND - Baghdad to fight the threat of IEDs in Iraq. "We basically do crime scene investigations on bomb sites, conducting post blast analysis to help us combat future attacks and track the IED cells where the deadly weapons originate," said Gasque.
Coming from the Air Force, Gasque admitted to a little culture shock as she began working with the Soldiers of the 3rd BCT, 4th ID, but the Soldiers have made her welcome and a part of the MND-B team. "It was a little different coming into this environment dominated by Soldiers but in the end we are all here for the same reason, to serve our country," she continued.
Gasque, a network analyst with the Air Force, volunteered to deploy for one year and doesn"t regret any of it. "I do a lot of analytical work with the Army intel guys and really enjoy the things I am getting to do here, plus I get to do something for my fellow service members," said Gasque.
Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Stolp, the Bde Intel Section NCOIC has no complaints with Gasque's work with the unit and is proud to have her as a member of the team. "There is no real difference between an Airman and a Soldier; we are all professionals and take our work seriously," said Stolp.
-30-
Tigers bring friendship to Iraq from America
By Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante
BAGHDAD - After traveling more than 7,000 miles, a pair of Bengal tiger cubs has finally settled into their new home in Iraq. Amid much fanfare and excitement, Hope and Riley were introduced to the Baghdad Zoo Aug. 8.
The tigers were a goodwill gesture from the North Carolina Conservators' Center, a breeding sanctuary for endangered species. "We are building trust with America," said Dr. Adel Mousa, zoo director. "We're building trust with a society that trusted us to care for these animals." The cubs are just under two years old and weight more than 150 lbs each. The Bengal tiger is an endangered species, with less than 3,000 worldwide. "We hope to bring smiles back to the people and the children," said Mousa. "We want to put smiles back on their faces after years of misery. In addition to the enjoyment people will get from watching them, they will present opportunities for students and the public to learn about this and other endangered species."
"This is exemplary of how people in Iraq are taking the lead to improve the circumstances in Iraq," said Capt. Jason Felix, 2nd Bde Special Troops Bn, 101st Abn Div (AASLT), whose unit was in charge of tiger transport.
CF and the Iraqi people have been working to bring the zoo up to international standards of health and safety, Mousa said.
"We currently consider the zoo in very good shape," Mousa said. He also pointed out that the zoo sits in a very safe part of the city and has 24-hour security inside and outside its gates.
The Baghdad Zoo gets approximately 10,000 visitors every Friday and Saturday and 2,000 to 3,000 on the weekdays, Mousa said. This is up 300% from 2006 and years prior when zoo visitation was approx. 150 people per day.
The zoo features 62 exhibits with 788 animals. There is also an amusement park and swimming pool nearby.
Riley and Hope, the pair of tigers sent to the Baghdad Zoo from the Conservators' Center in North Carolina, relax in their new enclosure in Iraq Aug. 8.
(Army photo by Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante)
-30-
IA locates multiple caches around Baghdad, detains 8 suspects
BAGHDAD - Aug. 7 after receiving tips, IA Soldiers and 3rd Bn, 320th FAR, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn Div (AASLT) found a cache approx. 23 km southwest of Baghdad. The cache included 26 81 mm mortar rounds, 25 grenades, a RPG, 2 RPG motors, 2 mortar sights and 2 12-inch rockets.
The same day, IA Soldiers located another cache while conducting a clearing mission in Mehdi Village, approximately 33 km south of Baghdad. The cache contained 25 57 mm mortars rigged with detonation cord and timers, an anti-tank mine, 2 homemade IEDs and a homemade claymore mine.
A third cache find was the result of a report received by 1st Plt, HHB, 3-320th FA Bn. IA Soldiers and MND-C Soldiers found a DShK machine gun and 600 DShK rounds. The IA also detained 7 suspects for questioning.
"These cache finds and subsequent detainments of suspected criminals are perfect examples of the commitment the IA and local populace have to maintaining security and stability throughout the Mahmudiyah Qada," said Col. Dominic Caraccilo, cmdr. of 3rd BCT.
-30-
ISF, MND-B Soldiers discover multiple munitions caches in Baghdad
BAGHDAD - Iraqi SF and MND - Baghdad Soldiers discovered multiple munitions caches in Baghdad, Aug. 8.
At approx. 10 a.m., IA soldiers found 6 82 mm mortars, 2 RPGs and 2 IED fuses in the Kadamiyah district of Baghdad.
Later, at approx. 11:30 a.m., IP found 5 125 mm mortars and 6 120 mm mortars in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad.
Just before 2 p.m., Soldiers with Co A, 1st Bn, 14th Inf Regt, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID seized a gallon jug of bulk explosive material just north of Baghdad.
At approx. the same time, Soldiers with Co B, 1st Bn, 52nd Inf Regt, 2nd SBCT, 25th ID, found a machine gun and a variety of bomb-making material north of Baghdad.
At approx. 4:30 p.m., Soldiers with Co A, 1st Bn, found 14 81 mm Iraqi air-to-ground rockets, a speed bump IED and a truck bed containing hollowed out rockets and components north of Baghdad.
Lastly, at approx. 9 p.m., Soldiers with Co E, 1st CAB, 68th AR, 3rd BCT, 4th ID, found a hand grenade, 3 AK-47 rifles, AK-47 ammo, a bag of propaganda materials and IA uniforms in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad.
-30-
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Al-Qaeda’s foreign terrorist, bombing networks disrupted (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD – In the village of Abu Wali, about 65 km northwest of Mosul, CF captured a suspected member of the AQI foreign terrorist network August 9. He reportedly stores and moves weapons into Mosul for terrorist attacks against Iraqi civilians and the SF that protect them.
August 10, CF captured another man wanted for his ties to the AQI foreign terrorist network, along with 2 additional suspects. The wanted man allegedly helps plan the movement of foreigners across the border into Iraq to conduct suicide bombings targeting Iraqis. He is also suspected of acquiring falsified documents for terrorists.
In Mosul August 10, CF captured a man wanted for his association with AQI senior leaders in the city. The man is assessed to advise on financial matters for the terrorist group as part of his association.
CF in the capital on August 10 captured a man believed to be an active member of a car-bombing network in Baghdad that targets Iraqis providing security for civilians in the city. The group is also involved in moving and housing suicide operatives when they arrive in the area.
Two suspects were detained August 10 in Baghdad, including a wanted man, for their alleged ties to a bombing cell that operates between Baghdad and Fallujah. The wanted man reportedly procures materials to build bombs for attacks against Iraqis and SF.
CF continued to root out foreign terrorist facilitators in Baghdad with an op August 10, that captured a wanted man and one additional suspect. The wanted individual allegedly conspires with AQI senior leaders to move terrorist resources into and around the country.
-30-
A C-5 Galaxy crew loads a CH-47D Chinook heavy lift helicopter into its cargo bay, Aug. 3, 2008. Joint Base Balad processes more than 950 cargo aircraft, 12,000 tons of cargo and 19,000 passengers per month, making it the busiest aerial port op in the Dept of Defense. The C-5 is deployed from the 22nd Airlift Sqdrn at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. The Chinook belongs to the Army's Bravo Co, 1st Bn, 52nd AR, which is deployed to Al Toqaddum.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Jason Epley, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing.
-30-