Dear Interested Reader,
It's always nice for us as well as our troops to hear of love and support from the home front.  The historic Mesbah olympic size pool reopens.  More progress as CF transfer authority of a portion of Doura to Iraqi SF, while a bombing and foreign fighter recruiting ring is stopped.  Many suspected AQI captured or killed, and weapons caches seized, including a VBIED.
Joanna
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August 10, 2008

Blackanthem Military News

Airport 'grandmas' help MND-B Soldiers 'kiss' their EML goodbye

By Spc. Douglas York

Constance "Connie" Carman (left) and Linda Tinnerman (right), known by Troops as the "Official Huggin' and Kissin' Grandmas," pose for a photo with three Soldiers currently serving with the 4th ID, at the Dallas/Fort Worth Int'l Airport, where they have volunteered nearly every day for the last four years to welcome deployed servicemembers returning home for their environmental morale leave, as well as to bid them farewell as they head back overseas.

CAMP LIBERTY -  "I met them on my EML last deployment," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Miles, who serves as plans and ops NCO, division chaplain's office, 4th ID. "You can see it on the faces of the Soldiers as they go in and out of the airport either going on leave or to return to their battle space," he added, speaking on the positive impact the ladies have on troops.
Initially, the ladies were only allowed to greet the troops as they arrived on the "Freedom" flights. Our Soldiers quickly came to expect an amazing reception of thanks and gratitude that the "grannies" spearheaded. Receiving the troops as they came in on leave, however, was not completely satisfying for the two. "We joined the USO, and this enables us to be with them on the secure side prior to their leaving," said Carman. "We are assigned to load our carts with goodies, such as food stuffs, water, toiletries, books, pillows, cell phones, and we get a chance to really visit and take our pictures," she added.
"I have been in touch with them for over 3 years, and they always meet me at the airport," said Master Sgt. Billy Arnold, who serves as the NCO in charge, division chaplain's office, 4th ID.  "They are very loving and caring ladies," he added.
"Whether you are for the war or against the war, Democrat or Republican, whatever, it doesn't make any difference as these young men are there sacrificing their lives for us. They are giving up more than people realize," Carman said.

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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

Historic Mesbah pool reopens in Karadah

BAGHDAD - Children and young adults alike donned swimming trunks to take the plunge or a dive after the re-opening of the Mesbah Pool in the Karadah district of southeast Baghdad, Aug. 7.   
Iraqi officials, contractors and Soldiers from 5th Bn, 25th FA, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div (Lt), worked together to bring this historic pool back to the people of Iraq.
The Mesbah Pool is an Olympic-sized pool that has been around for quite a long time, since 1927, according to Nibras, the project manager for the Mesbah Pool. He said it was the first pool built in Iraq.
"A lot of the people in high-level govt positions ... remember swimming in this pool when they were children," said Capt. Sean O'Brien, effects coordinator for 5th Bn. "There is a lot of pride associated with it in the community."
Unfortunately, the pool fell into disrepair over the years. When the time came to fix it, some wanted to just tear the whole thing down and start from scratch, said Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Allen, a NCO assigned to 5th Bn. "We did our best to finish it in one month and it is a great job," he said.
Sallama Albaldway, a nearby resident, said she was very pleased to see the pool re-open and to see children given an opportunity to enjoy the pool, as she had when she was child.
"The pool is for the children of Iraq," O'Brien said. In spite of all the difficulties children in Iraq face, it is good to be able to provide them a safe and fun environment, O'Brien said.  It is a good place for youth to go to play away from threats and dangers of IEDs.
"This is a great indication of security, the beginnings of liberty (and) all of those good things that are needed in order for a true society to begin again," said O'Brien, adding that the reopening is another step toward a return to normalcy in Iraq.

The waters remain still from the view of the top of the backboard moments before the grand reopening of the Mesbah pool in the Karadah district of southeastern Baghdad, Aug. 7. The pool was the first built in Iraq and was recently restored in a collaborative effort between Iraqi government officials, contractors and Coalition Forces.
(Army photo by Sgt. Grant Okubo)

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Tip prevents potential VBIED attack in Adhamiyah

BAGHDAD - Aug. 8, "Thanks to a concerned citizen who provided the info on a potential VBIED, it was able to be secured without loss or injury to any civilians," said Maj. Byron Sarchet, info ops officer and a spokesperson for the 3rd BCT, 4th ID.
An EOD team responded and conducted a controlled detonation on the vehicle.  Within minutes of the initial detonation, there was a large, secondary explosion that resulted in damage to nearby buildings and vehicles. There were no injuries in either explosion. MND-B Soldiers will be handing out claims cards to residents whose property was damaged in the explosions.
"Because of citizens like the one who notified authorities of this potential deadly bomb, the streets of Adhamiyah remain a safe and prosperous place for residents," said Lt. Col. John Digiambattista, ops officer and a spokesperson for the 3rd BCT, 4th ID.  "This shows that the residents of this once volatile neighborhood will not tolerate those actions any longer."

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Coaltion Forces Transfer Portion of Doura to ISF Control     

By Capt. Brett Walker

IP enter an Iraqi citizens house after knocking on the door June 20, 2008 in the Jaza'ir community of southern Baghdad.

Photo by Capt. Brett Walker

FOB FALCON — The “Warriors” of 2nd Bn, 4th Inf Regt, achieved a significant goal in July by officially transferring authority of a sizeable portion of the Rashid district to their Iraqi SF counterparts.
“Transitioning authority to the Iraqi SF in accordance with MND-B goals has been a top priority,” said Maj. Mark Olin, ops officer for the 2nd Bn.  The area houses an estimated 50,000 residents.
“When we first started working with [the NPs] they were just loosely banded together,” said Pfc. Neil Hafter, infantryman. “Now they are organized and do their own patrols … even the way they handle their weapons has improved.”
The Soldiers have now assumed an over watch role that allows them to continue to supervise, mentor and assist the area’s Iraqi NP, and to ensure the enduring success and enhancement of current capabilities, said Capt. Parsana Deoki, cmdr. of Co C, 2nd Bn.  “As we continue forward to over watch, our roles as observers increase.  We are there to support the NP as needed, but give them the freedom to conduct their daily mission.”
By providing a 24-hour presence throughout Doura, the NP mollified the district’s renowned sectarian violence and coordinated attacks by 78% from April 2007 – 2008, said Olin.

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MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK BAGHDAD

Coalition supports Iraqi led Op Omens of Prosperity by detaining suspected terrorists

Diyala Province - CF detained 8 suspected AQI terrorists during a sweeping security op that concluded Aug. 8 near the village of Qarah Tappah, about 130 km northeast of Baghdad. The 2-day sweep northeast of the Hamrin Mountains supports the joint Iraqi and Coalition Op Omens of Prosperity, targeting terrorist elements in Diyala province.  Intel reports indicate extremist groups in the Qarah Tappah area have aligned with AQI to intimidate local residents and conduct bombing attacks, indirect fire attacks and kidnappings.  During the op, CF tracked down a man who identified himself to the force as a wanted individual.  He is allegedly the leader of a sniper cell in the area.  Another wanted man was identified by his associates as an AQI member wanted by Iraqi and Coalition authorities.  CF detained 6 additional suspected terrorists and discovered a small cache of weapons and military-style equipment, which they destroyed on site.

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MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK BAGHDAD

Bombing and foreign fighter recruiting ring stopped (Baghdad)     

BAGHDAD – CF killed 2 armed terrorists August 9 during the first of 2 ops targeting an alleged AQI agent who recruits Iraqis and foreigners to join the terrorist group. After surveillance teams positively identified armed terrorists meeting near Muqdadiyah, about 90 km northeast of Baghdad, CF followed 2 men who left the site and engaged them, killing both. They discovered weapons, a military-style assault vest, pistol belt and grenade with the terrorists. During a follow-on op August 10, CF captured the alleged recruiter and 2 other suspects who had also been at the meeting.  The wanted man is also reportedly involved in bombing attacks and has allegedly provided falsified documents to AQI members fleeing Diyala province during the current crackdown on terrorists there.
August 9, near Bayji, about 160 km south of Mosul, CF detained 2 suspected AQI terrorists believed to support the foreign terrorist network.  August 10, CF conducted a follow-on op targeting a wanted man, who identified himself to them during the raid.  He is assessed to be an AQI facilitator who falsified passports and ID documents for foreign terrorists entering Iraq. CF detained 2 additional suspects in the op. Another August 10 op targeting members of the AQI foreign terrorist facilitation network in Mosul turned up 2 suspects.
A precision operation August 9 in Hamam al-Alil, just south of Mosul, netted a man wanted for his suspected support for AQI senior leaders and their financial infrastructure.  The man admitted to the force that he associates with several alleged AQI leaders.  He has also reportedly helped in the construction of bombs used to attack Iraqis and SF.

CF conducted a precision op in Baghdad August 10 and captured a wanted man who is believed to be part of an extremist group that has aligned itself with AQI to recruit and conduct attacks. Just south of the city, CF detained 2 suspected terrorists who are reportedly part of AQI’s network in the Southern Belt around Baghdad, which targets Iraqi civilians.

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