Dear Interested Reader,
Leaders in Tarmiyah reaffirm their stand against extremists and militants. Restoring and reopening of schools is the success story across Iraq, with Ramadi seemingly leading the way. Comanche Troop's hard work pays off in security and stability in Abu T'shir. MNC-Iraq will be celebrating National Airborne Day, Aug. 22, and we're hoping that our media shows up! Suspected Militants and criminals are detained, and weapons caches seized.
Joanna
_______________________________________________________
Aug. 20, 2008
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Leaders in Tarmiyah Reaffirm Their Stand Against Extremists, Militants
Story and photo by Sgt. Whitney Houston
Sheik Saeed Jassim, sheik council chairman and local head of Tarmiyah govt, displays photos of a recent AQI attack to local clergy and govt officials at the Bukhari Hall in Tarmiyah, Aug. 14, 2008, as he condemns their acts and calls those gathered to action against terrorist activities.
BAGHDAD — The reaffirmation was a reaction to a recent attack by AQI forces in the area that killed 5 people, to include women, children and a MND – Baghdad Soldier.
“Al-Qaida has tried to terrorize the population and make them cower with these attacks invoking their grip of fear on them,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Boccardi, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID. “Tragedy results in 2 types of responses: it either galvanizes people, or it makes them cower. This attack had a galvanizing effect.”
“The people of Tarmiyah, after 4 years of torture, kidnappings and public slaughters, just really want to live out their lives in peace,” said Otu, an Arabic interpreter for CF. “They can’t tolerate terrorist activity anymore and face the risk of publicly condemning al-Qaida.”
Those attending said the public denunciation of the cowardly terrorist attacks would send a clear message that Tarmiyah and other regions throughout the nation are fed up with the killing of their loved ones. “This oath will show the media savvy al-Qieda operatives a crystal clear picture that there is no terrorist sanctuary in Tarmiyah, and the people will not bend to terrorists any longer,” said Boccardi. “The significance of this event was the reaffirmation of the locals to stand up against terrorism. Senior leaders of tribes, local govts and Iraqi SF all stood up and said: ‘We will not fear, and we’ll stand up against al-Qaida.’”
A recent AQI attack against CF was so significant in unifying local nationals with CF, said Boccardi, that those killed were honored as martyrs in “the good fight.” Among those so honored for their sacrifices was Sgt. Kenneth Gibson.
The attack reinforced the conclusion to the Tarmiyah citizens that the CF were there to assist and help stabilize. It further proved to be a testament of the joint sacrifices shared by local nationals and CF, explained Capt. Calvin Kline, fusion cell officer.
The message put out by the leaders of Tarmiyah is a lasting one in that it was broadcast nationwide so their fellow countrymen could bear witness to their stand against the terrorists.
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Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders in Ramadi
Photo and story by Lance Cpl. Casey Jones
Lt. Col. Brett A. Bourne, the bn comm. officer of 1st Bn, 9th Marine Regt, RCT 1, along with Iraqi officials, cut the ribbon signaling the reopening of an industrial high school, August 13.
RAMADI — In a November 2006 Washington Post article, Abdul Jawad, the former dean of the College of Arts at Mustansiriya University in Baghdad, wrote, “The mass [violence in the country] underscores the chilling fact that the most dangerous place in Iraq is not the mosque, the marketplace or the military checkpoint, but the classroom.”
In sharp contrast to Jawad’s dim description of the country, the region is now rebuilding. Restorations and reopening of schools are taking place daily in Iraq, with Ramadi seemingly leading the way.
The Industrial High School in Ramadi was the latest school to open in the city. “It’s great that the city was able to get this school opened up,” said Khalid Salam, an asst. to the Dir. Gen. of Schools. “The school is going to be a wonderful institution not only for the students, but for all of Ramadi. As the youth of the city continue to earn an education, they will assist the city and the province in making their country prosperous.”
The project was a high priority for the city as the school will serve as an institution for young males seeking to learn valuable trades. Educators there will teach the students construction and electrical work, along with a variety of other skills. “Education is the key to any society’s advancement,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eric Jett, a team leader with Civil Affairs Detachment 2. “This school will allow young people from all across al-Anbar to come and learn a trade. It also has the added benefit of getting the young males off the streets and giving them something productive to do. This school will give them opportunity to become functioning members of society.”
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Blackanthem Military News
Comanche Troop's hard work = improvements in Abu T'shir
Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Brent Williams
Staff Sgt. David Pena, a section leader and Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Yaudas, plt sgt, conduct an early morning dismounted patrol through the Abu T'shir Markets, Aug. 16 as part of their daily security ops in southern Baghdad's Rashid district.
FOB FALCON - For Staff Sgt. David Cox, a section leader for Blue Plt of "Comanche" Troop's mortar section, it is an area where his Soldiers patrol every night as they strive to make a difference for the Iraqi people. "People come out and tell us that they appreciate us being there, and they appreciate what we're trying to do," Cox said. "And the ones who don't appreciate what we're trying to do are usually the guys (we are detaining) at 2 in the morning."
As the Soldiers of Comanche Troop, 7th Sqdrn, 10th Cav Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, make their presence known in the neighborhoods and communities in southeastern Baghdad, so do the special groups extremists, said Cox. The gangs and militia are putting out propaganda and attempting to intimidate the local populace by creating the perception that they are in control, he said. The Iraqi citizens are starting to see that they don't want to be involved with those kinds of people anymore, he said. "They don't want them chasing their daughters, influencing their sons," he said. "The people are getting tired of that stuff, and I don't think their influence is that big here anymore."
The Blue Plt is the only element of Comanche Troop that patrols every night, said Spc. Joseph Henley, an infantry mortarman assigned to Troop C. "Our mission differentiates every night, but our main goal is to clean up the streets and help rebuild Abu T'shir and give Abu T'shir back to the people so they can live a free life," said Henley.
The Soldiers of White Plt only have one mission - to bring peace to Abu T'shir, said Staff Sgt. Jason Kennedy, section leader, Troop C.
"That is our only focus, no matter what it takes to get it done," said Kennedy. "That's the end state." The Soldiers have seen a dramatic change since taking charge of security in the predominately Shia community that is home to approximately 75,000 Iraqis. Kennedy credited much of the unit's success and the current security and stability in Abu T'shir and greater Baghdad to the surge of U.S. Forces that began in 2007 and ended little more than a month ago. "I believe that it was a great idea," he said. "The strategic planning put us exactly where we are at today. Even though the public and lot of govt officials didn't have faith, it really pulled us through." He also said that the real transition in the attitude of the citizens started when the Soldiers of Comanche Troop began to meet face-to-face with the local Iraqis in hopes of establishing working relationships with the people, listening to their needs and talking candidly with them about basic problems, such as lack of electricity and employment. "We try to keep them updated as far as what we know is happening and what is in the works," he said. "If we can keep them in a good flow of info, we hope that buys a little more patience, and that patience is our survival."
Little acts of kindness have also played a huge part in endearing the Soldiers to the local community, he said, citing one incident earlier in the week, when the Soldiers in his section collected $5 apiece and bought nearly 100 ice cream cones for a group of Iraqi children lined up outside a local vendor in Abu T'shir.
Staff Sgt. David Pena, a section leader assigned to Red Plt, said that his Soldiers conduct combined patrols daily with ISF to validate their presence within the Abu T'shir community. "The NP also go out on their own; they do their own patrols," added Pena, who is assigned to Troop C. "They are really high speed. I would compare them to a Joe - the way that they react is like a regular Army Soldier." Pena, who is serving his third deployment in support of OIF, also noted that the IP and NPs responsible for the Rashid district provided 100% of the security for the pilgrimage routes Shiites use to travel to Karbala in observance of the Ascension of the 12th Imam, which occurred Aug. 16. Pena said that he believes the current levels of security can be maintained as long as the CF and ISF continue to work with the citizens of Abu T'shir.
Pena said that on average, his Soldiers meet with more than 100 Iraqi citizens per week, and the residents of Abu T'shir continue to provide good tips about IEDs, weapons caches and the enemy. "We're always going to have spikes (in enemy activity), but I think overall we're going to be able to maintain," he said.
Staff Sgt. Jason Kennedy conducts a patrol brief Aug. 15 with IP at an Abu T'shir IP Patrol Base on Market Street.
Sgt. Richard Barth, a psychological ops NCO, assigned to the 312th Tactical Psychological Ops Co, and attached to the 1st BCT, 4th ID, posts a wanted poster on the door of an abandoned house in Abu T'shir Aug. 15, where a weapons cache was discovered the night before. Soldiers of the Raider BCT, responsible for providing security to the 1.5 million residents of the Rashid district, are collecting tips and info in anticipation of a return of Special Groups leaders into southern Baghdad.
Sgt. Michael Benoit, a cav scout assigned to Troop C, takes photos of a local Iraqi shop Aug. 16 as part of the microgrant application process. Soldiers of "Comanche" Troop are enrolling local Iraqi business owners from the Abu T'shir community in southern Baghdad's Rashid district for the purpose of small business donations designed to stimulate the local Iraqi economy.
Staff Sgt. Jason Kennedy leads point on a combined patrol Aug. 15 with IP from the Abu T'shir patrol base located off Abu T'shir's Market Street in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.
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Muqdadiyah SWAT detains four suspected terrorists in separate operations
BALAD - Muqdadiyah SWAT detained 3 suspected members of an AQI IED and rocket cell, Aug. 17. One of the suspects is said to be the primary leader of the cell consisting of approximately 10 members. During the op, SWAT confiscated 8 120 mm mortar rounds believed to be intended for use against CF.
In a separate op Aug. 16, Muqdadiyah SWAT detained a suspected terrorist believed to be an intel officer for the network. Reports indicate the man also served as an intel officer for the former regime under Saddam Hussein.
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ISF capture two suspected criminals in separate operations
BAGHDAD - Aug. 16, Iraqi SOF captured a suspected criminal and detained 2 others in the Baghdad area. The suspected criminal is said to be a top financier for criminal elements allegedly extorting money from the local Iraqis to finance weapons. He is believed to be responsible for conducting and ordering IED and EFP attacks on Iraqi and CF. Reports indicate he has connections to Iranian weapons suppliers who supply him with EFPs.
In a separate op, al-Amarah SWAT team arrested a suspected criminal on a Ministry of Interior warrant. The suspect is wanted for attempted murder and terrorizing local Iraqis.
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Media Advisory: MNC-Iraq Celebrates National Airborne Day
WHO: All media
WHAT: MNC-Iraq celebrates National Airborne Day (Aug. 16, 1940) and the XVIII Airborne Corps birthday (Aug. 25, 1944).
Celebration includes a performance by the 82nd Airborne Division Chorus and comments by Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, MNC - I commanding general and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Allen, MNC - I command sergeant major.
WHEN: Aug. 22, at 10 a.m., Media should plan to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Al Faw Palace, Camp Victory, Baghdad
WHY: Sixty-one years ago, 48 brave volunteer members of the U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon pioneered a new method of warfare. Their successful jump led to the creation of a mighty force of more than 100,000 paratroopers. Aug. 22 is a day when we can reflect on the bravery of our Airborne pioneers, their contributions to our profession and our country - and be proud of the fact that we continue the Airborne tradition of excellence.
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MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Iraqi and Coalition forces nab three wanted men
BAGHDAD – Iraqi and CF targeted AQI leaders and networks, detaining 12 suspects August 18 and August 19 during ops in central and northern parts of the country.
Iraqi and CF captured a regional AQI leader in Kirkuk August 18. The wanted man reportedly manages a network that provides components for homemade explosives from Basra to Mosul.
In Bayji August 18, CF detained a suspect while targeting associates of senior leaders in a suicide bombing network. Five suspected terrorists were detained during another op in Bayji August 19 when CF targeted members of a bombing network in the Tigris River Valley.
CF in Baghdad captured a wanted man August 19 who is assessed to be a senior AQI operative in the southern part of the capital.
In Mosul, CF captured a man who reportedly plants roadside bombs and conducts bombing attacks against Iraqi civilians and the SF that protect them. Three additional suspects were detained in the op August 19.
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