Dear Interested Reader,
The Al Anbar Medical Conference is a first for the province. The new Basrah regional courthouse will open soon, and is expected to service more than 2 million residents. Teachers Union reopens in Ramadi to help better educate students, and a place to assist the educators. The detainee work program builds pride and teaches skills that will better enable the detainee to be productive. More AQI and other criminals detained and weapons caches seized.
Joanna
_________________________________
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Aug. 1, 2008
Al Anbar Medical Conference promotes continued education
CAMP RAMADI, Iraq - Nearly 100 doctors and medical professionals attended the 2008 Al Anbar Medical Conference July 28-31.
The conference addressed several needs within the Iraq health profession including continued education, more physicians and more
nurses. It included lectures by two doctors, one neurologist and one neurosurgeon from the U.S.
A team of military personnel and U.S. State Dept. reps spent several months coordinating the details of the conference with Al Anbar Dir. Gen. (DG) of Health, Dr. al Salih, and physicians from around the Al Anbar province.
"We've helped set up this conference to address the need for continued education in the health industry of Al Anbar," said Col. Maryann Ante-Amburgey of Task Force Ramadi. Amburgey is one of several Task Force Ramadi members supporting the Dept. of State's ePRT 2 - Ramadi. The ePRTs assist the local govts in building their capacity to govern more effectively and deliver essential services.
Mr. Derwent "Buck" Daniels, the Dep. Health Attache for the U.S. State Dept., the conference was a first for the Al Anbar province.
Daniels said a lack of doctors and nurses is the most pressing issue the Iraq healthcare system faces. Daniels said in addition to continued training, it is hoped the conference will attract more doctors to the region and more women to the profession of nursing.
According to Dr. Heson A. Solin, the conference brought hope of future health education opportunities. "This wouldn't have been possible a year ago," Solin said. "I would like to see this continue with even more cooperation with American and European hospitals."
Dr. Michael Carey, Chief of Neurosurgery at the Manhattan, NY, VA Hospital, and Dr. Hisham, an Iraqi neurosurgeon, review patient X-rays before conducting surgery to remove a brain tumor, July 30.
(Navy photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Boucher)
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ISF captures three suspected terrorists in separate operations in Iraq
BALAD, Iraq - July 30, Mosul SWAT team captured a suspected mid-level leader of the ISI, a front org. for the AQI, in Namrood, approx. 42 km southeast of Mosul. The suspect, said to have started his own terrorist organization in 2003, reportedly facilitates the movement of foreign fighters from Syria and Saudi Arabia into Iraq. Reports indicate the suspected terrorist is also linked to 2 fighters who spent several years in Syria to acquire knowledge of chemicals and chemical mortar fabrication. The suspect is also said to have ties with the local IP, which allow him some freedom of movement.
Fallujah SWAT captured a suspected member of an AQI weapons smuggling cell during an op in Fallujah. The suspect is believed to facilitate small arms, rockets and IED-building materials.
In an area approx. 125 km north of Baghdad, the Iraqi NP Emergency Action Platoon captured a suspected AQI emir in order to disrupt terrorist activities in the Tikrit and Jalaam Desert areas. The suspect is believed to build and emplace IEDs. Reports indicate the suspect is linked to an AQI financial support and equipment facilitation network between Syria and Iraq. The IP unit also detained another man during the op.
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MND-B Soldiers, Iraqi physicians aid citizens
Staff Sgt. Jason Torres, 2nd BCT, 101st Abn Div (AASLT), places gauze bandages over an Iraqi woman's burns during a medical op in Baghdad's Iraqi Family Village, July 26.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Hunter)
Capt. Jerry Braverman, 2nd BCT, and an Iraqi physician talk with an Iraqi woman about her ailments.
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ISF detain suspected AQI financier, 7 others in Diyala province
BALAD - IA Soldiers detained a suspected AQI financier in as-Sadiyah, approx. 116 km northeast of Baghdad, July 30. The suspect is believed to be an AQI financier and facilitator in the Lake Hamrin region. Reports indicate local business owners gave the suspect large sums of protection money each month to ensure their immunity from criminal attacks. The money is said to fund terrorist ops. The man is also said to be involved in attacks against Iraqi Security and CF. Three other suspected terrorists were detained during the op.
In another op, Iraqi SOF detained 4 suspected AQI cell members in Tahwila, approx. 55 km northwest of Baghdad, July 29. One of the detainees is believed to be part of a cell responsible for coordinating the movement of weapons and people between the Diyala and Udaim River Valleys.
Reports indicate many of the AQI leaders are fleeing Diyala province as a result of recent ISF ops in the area.
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New Courthouse to Open in Basrah
By A. Al Bahrani
Basrah Regional Courthouse is one of the biggest GRS projects and is expected to serve more than two million residents in Basrah Province.
USACE photo by A. Al Bahrani.
BASRAH — Officials in Basrah will soon open a new 11,000-square-meter, two-story courthouse and witness protection facility here providing visual proof that the rule of law is once again a fundamental pillar of this nation.
“It’s a magnificent structure built by local Iraqis who tell me they’re very proud to be part of this effort, said Keith Addams, Gulf Region Div. As I drive around to different job sites in Basrah and I see the dome of the new courthouse off in the distance, I can’t help but think of its impressive monumental impact on the people here. “As the rule of law reduces the power of selfish men, the economical and agricultural capacities of Iraq will blossom,” continued Addams. “I honestly believe that all this, and so much more, is possible, through creating, enforcing and obeying fair and just law.”
The courthouse project is approximately 94 percent complete. Laith Sammad, chief of the Basrah Supreme Judiciary Council, said the Iraqi Ministry of Justice is very satisfied. “It’s a critical step in helping make Iraq a safer place for all who want peace and justice,” he said.
The Gulf Region Div, which has renovated 3 other courthouses in Basrah Province, is in the process of constructing another courthouse in the Shatt Al-Arab area.
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Teachers Union Reopens in Ramadi
By Lance Cpl. Casey Jones
Ramadi Mayor Obaid (center) cuts the ribbon signaling the grand reopening of the Ramadi teacher's union building, July 21, 2008. The teacher's union building will provide a place for the region's education instructors to come together, discuss ideas, and increase their effectiveness while teaching students. Photo by Lance Cpl. Casey Jones.
RAMADI — “This building will help the teachers in Ramadi become even better at their jobs,” said Abdullah Shaib, the teacher’s union manager. “It’s a place where all of the teachers can come for special activities and meetings.” Shaib was a key proponent in reopening the building, and believes it is a necessary component to improving education in Ramadi. “This building will put the teachers in the perfect position to be creative in their ways of teaching the students and become better, more advanced instructors,” Shaib said.
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MNF - IRAQ
TF 134
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Detainee Work Program Building Pride
CAMP CROPPER – Army National Guard MP teach detainees practical skills they can use to build a better life for themselves, their families and Iraq. “When I first arrived, one of the lieutenants that worked here told me about the program—Detainee Work Program. So, I spoke to my cmdr., and, based on my experience, I was selected to work on the Detainee Work Program,” said Master Sgt. Randall W. Morrow, 251st MP Co, Tennessee Army National Guard.
The detainees receive plenty of classroom instruction learning how to build projects from wood prior to testing their practical knowledge. This classroom time is focused on how to operate the tools safely, especially the power tools. Additionally, they discuss how to manipulate wood as well as identifying anyone who has previous experience working with these tools.
Morrow has been a general contractor for more than 20 years and has owned his own contracting business since 1989. Based on his experience, his role is to ensure that all projects are structurally sound and built to the U.S. building code requirements. “I am glad to pass on some of the knowledge that I have from my civilian experience to the detainees, as well as to the soldiers. Hopefully, this will give them some basic skills to build upon so that when they are released they can contribute to the future of Iraq,” said Morrow.
The latest project was to build an 18-foot gazebo. The inspiration for building the gazebo came to Staff Sgt. Charles Monroe after seeing a smaller one the detainees had built. “When I saw the large cement pad within the family visitation area I thought that would be a great place for a gazebo,” said Monroe, 220th MP Co, Colorado Army National Guard. “I also thought that when detainees had their family visitation time they could show off their new skills and take pride in building this structure,” said Monroe. “It’s actually been quite rewarding to be in my position, said Monroe. I get to see the final product; I have tangible evidence of their learning. You can see the pride in their faces because they made it –tables, benches, gazebo--, and now they get to use it. They also get to show off their new skills to their families.”
Monroe serves as the NCO in charge of the Detainee Work Program, which includes maintaining 2 four-hour shifts with approximately 18 soldiers who oversee approx. 20 detainees per shift.
“Most of the time, the detainees will ask to work every day to accomplish the project. It makes you feel good that they want to complete the project. But, more than that, it is really great to see the pride they take in their projects,” said Morrow.
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