Dear Interested Reader,
Joint air op tightens clamp on remaining few AQI around Balad, while other terrorists and insurgents are detained in other ops. Sunni, Shia & Christian leaders, in a spirit of reconciliation joined local govt officials & CF reps. for an Iftar meal during Ramadan. To combat cholera, water filters are delivered; while irrigation issues are tackled for farmers in Jurf as Sahkr. IPs get training on proper techniques of searching and questioning detainees and witnesses at FOB Iskan.
Joanna
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Sept. 26, 2008
Joint Air Operation Tightens Clamp on Remaining Few AQI
Major Jason Tussey, ops officer for the 1st Sqdrn, 32nd Cav Regt, awaits extraction from UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters during Op Abbeville near Darwish Village, Sept. 19, 2008.
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Doheny
BALAD — In 2006 the city of Balad was a melting pot for sectarian violence. Today, it’s an example of security and economic progress. This progress is a direct reflection of 12 months of successful Coalition and Iraqi ops which have placed a clamp on major insurgent activities in and around the predominately Shia city.
In an effort to continue the positive trend, U.S. Soldiers and members of the Iraqi NPs Justice Bn, conducted Op Abbeville, Sept. 19. Abbeville was an air assault op targeting AQI facilitators in the village of Darwish. “This op confirmed reporting that the people of the village were intimidated into providing sanctuary to AQI members,” said Capt. Tony Keller, Bravo Troop cmdr. “Hopefully the intel we received from this op will allow us to develop future ops targeting these AQI elements.”
“The enemy must be aware that CF and IA will not stop pursuing them,” said Maj. Jason Tussey, sqdrn. ops officer. “We retain the ability to strike at a time and place of our choice.”
The result of the op was the detention of 5 individuals from the village and the removal of misc. weapon systems. “It's of utmost importance that the people of the village were able to see that their NP can provide security for them,” Tussey said. “As we continue to operate in the rural areas where CF and ISF have not been before, people see that they are not forgotten and the GOI is working to provide much needed assistance.”
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Children of Gazaliyah
Army Sgt. Matthew Castine meets young residents while on patrol in the Gazaliyah district, Baghdad, Sept. 18. Castine is in Alpha Troop, 1st Sqdrn, 75th Cav, 2nd BCT, 101st Abn Div.
Photo by Spc. Charles Gill.
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Iftar meal brings faiths together in spirit of reconciliation during Ramadan
FOB LOYALTY - In a spirit of reconciliation, Sunni, Shia and Christian leaders joined local govt officials and CF representatives for an Iftar meal in eastern Baghdad, Sept. 15.
More than 300 guests from the 9 Nissan, Karadah and Rusafa districts attended the evening event. For the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours but partake in an Iftar meal to break their fast after sunset. Iftar is not only a break from the fast but also is a celebration of sacrifice.
Maj. Cloyd Colby, the brigade chaplain for 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div (Lt), said Omar invited all the clergy from several communities regardless of whether they are Christian, Sunni or Shia.
"I joined them in their fast, so I was very hungry by the time it was time to eat," said Colby, who said he has a good relationship with most of the sheikhs and clergymen in southeastern Baghdad, helping them effectively communicate with CF. "I had never met Father Timothaeus before, but he was a very fine gentleman," he said. "He is very serious about reconciliation and
peace, and he is very forthcoming about his opinions. We had a good time together. "I was very impressed by Omar. (He is) a very vibrant young man, and his father, Muhammad, is just very kind and genuine."
Appetizers for the Iftar meal included large trays of dates, drinks, fried snacks and a Kurdish yogurt drink made from sheep's milk, which attendees said is the preferred drink after fasting. Old friends and new friends shared fellowship as people talked and mingled.
"The fact that the event took place just shows you how far we've come in a year," expressed Conrad Tribble, team leader of the Baghdad-2 e-PRT. "The speakers all talked about the need for unity, which was a very positive message from all who spoke."
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ISF disrupt terrorist and insurgent activities, uncover weapons cache
BAGHDAD - BALAD - On Sept. 21, Ramadi SWAT team captured a suspected AQI facilitator in the Ta'mim district. The individual is said to be a magnetic IED and VBIED facilitator involved in attacks against Iraqi and CF.
In a separate op on Sept. 21, Baiji SWAT team arrested 5 suspected 1920 Revolutionary Bde cell members on a local warrant allegedly responsible for emplacing IEDs in the southern region of Baiji.
In another op on Sept. 21 in Hawijah, the IA arrested a mid-level leader of Jaysh al Islami on a local warrant. The individual is said to teach insurgents on the use of RPGs and is believed to be linked to an IED attack in August.
On Sept. 20 in the Baqubah area, the IA captured a suspected AQI terrorist believed to be an IED builder and person-borne IED expert who provides transportation to individuals carrying out suicide bombing ops. The individual is also said to be responsible for multiple attacks against CF and an attack against a SoI leader.
In an op on Sept. 19, Muqdadiya SWAT team uncovered a cache consisting of weapons, several EFPs, mortar rounds, C4 explosives, home-made bombs and other explosive-making materials. The cache is allegedly linked to a weapons smuggling facilitator.
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Hundreds Receive Medical Care in Iraq’s West Karmah Region
By Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis
KARMAH — Approximately 500 Iraqis were treated during a combined medical engagement (CME) here, Sept. 15.
Iraqi doctors and a surplus of primary healthcare medicine were made available to citizens during the CME, which was held by Marines of RCT 1. “The goal is to reach out to men and women in the area, see what they need medically and try to provide them for their needs,” said 2nd Lt. Mark Beaudette, a plt. cmdr. with Weapons Co., TF 1st Bn., 3rd Marines, RCT-1.
A CME brings local physicians and medicine to an area that doesn’t necessarily have those resources available to them, said Navy Lt. Jonathan Malone, asst. bn surgeon, TF 1st Bn. “It’s a way of treating [the Iraqi people], as well as restoring confidence in the Iraqi medical system,” said Malone. “It’s strictly [the Iraqi doctors] treating their people. No military physician provides any healthcare during the CME.”
The CME demonstrated Iraq’s turn toward self-sufficiency and CF’ relinquishment of security control to the Iraqi forces. After the attendees were treated, bags of food were given to each family, as well as assorted toys for the children.
The amount of food given to each family was enough to feed a family for a month, said 1st Lt. Johnathan Boeve, EO, Weapons Co., TF 1st Bn. “Sheiks came up to me and expressed their gratitude for how well run, and generous, the CME was,” said Boeve. “Overall, it went pretty well. We had a lot of people come, and we were happy to be able to provide this for them.”
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MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda foreign terrorist, leadership networks
BAGHDAD – Sept. 23, CF working alongside the IA in Kirkuk captured a wanted man during an op targeting AQI’s foreign terrorist facilitation network. Intel reporting suggests the man has connections to senior facilitators in neighboring countries.
Two suspects were apprehended in a town west of Mosul during an op targeting a foreign terrorist facilitator.
In an op near Shu Ayrat, about 46 km south of Mosul, CF detained 2 more suspects while targeting AQI senior leadership nodes, including a wanted man believed to have multiple associations with the organization’s leadership within the region. CF also found weapons and body armor at the location.
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MND-C Soldiers deliver water filters to Jelawiya locals
FOB KALSU - Soldiers from Co C, 3rd Bn, 7th Inf Regt, 4th BCT, 3rd ID,with the assistance of Sheikh Khalil, took part in a humanitarian aid drop in Jelawiya, Sept. 12.
The Soldiers delivered water filters to the citizens of Jelawiya after ongoing concern by Iraqi citizens on a number of cases of cholera occurring recently. The first few filters were delivered to Sheikh Khalil and his family, where the Co. C Soldiers assembled, tested and explained to the sheikh how the filters would help his people. They then asked for his assistance in getting the remaining filters to local families in need. "It was really important for us to have Sheikh Khalil come with us to deliver the water filters," said Wheeler, Co. C patrol leader. "For the locals to see the sheikh out working with us helps us gain their trust and continued cooperation in the future."
Many locals came out as the remaining filters were passed out; a big change since the units arrival in Iraq approx. 11 months ago, said 2nd Lt. Zonie Daniels, Co. C plt. leader. "The security is a lot better in this area, and our face-to-face interaction with the people is up," said Daniels. "We spend a lot of time interacting with the people, and it has helped our mission to be a success."
Sheikh Khalil said he was very thankful the CF were helping his people during this time of concern over the cholera outbreak. "I can speak for everyone when I say that we are proud to call them our friends," said Khalil. "We look forward to working with the Soldiers more in the future."
Staff Sgt. Tim Wheeler (2nd to left) and 2nd Lt. Zonie Daniels (far left), speak through an interpreter to Sheikh Khalil about the concerns over cholera.
(Army photos by Spc. Justin Snyder)
First Lt. Joshua Ray puts together a water filter for Sheikh Khalil.
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ePRT assesses farms in Jurf as Sahkr
FOB KALSU - CF met with members of the Jurf as Sahkr Agricultural Union to discuss concerns and current projects of the union at the Jurf as Sahkr Town Hall, Sept. 18.
Soldiers from Co A, 3rd Bn, 7th Inf Regt, 4th BCT, 3rd ID and Dr. Fouad, with the 4th BCT ePRT, met with Sheikh Eid, the chairman of the Jurf as Sahkr Ag Union, and other members of the union to assess the agricultural needs in Jurf as Sahkr.
"This (meeting) allowed for the Ag Union to voice its issues in re-establishing irrigation in the Jurf region, which was the top priority for the farmers assn.," said 2nd Lt. Joshua M. Fink, fire support officer with Co. A. "They also discussed ePRT's plan for a centralized market that is being built in a different area of op, which should stabilize the prices on agricultural goods, and the Jurf Feed Mill Factory project, which is currently in the planning stages as well as details on a project to supply Jurf with 50 water pumps."
Fouad addressed issues on canal cleaning, which is a high priority for the members of the Ag Union since nearly 5,000 farmers in Jurf rely on the canals for the irrigation of their crops.
"Many farmers lost their crops after the 2003 invasion due to AQI destroying the infrastructure," Fink said. "Some have started farming again but face many obstacles, such as poor irrigation due to unclean canals and lack of fertilizer. Many farms are doing well close to the river; however, it is still evident that much farmland has been untouched further west of the river where clogged canals have stopped the water supply."
The GOI recently cleaned the main canal, which is 55-km long and runs through Jurf as Sahkr. This should provide much-needed relief to farmers who do not live close to the river, Fink said. "(The) GOI has started providing the Jurf as Sahkr area with more projects, which is a great sign that the GoI is becoming more active in supporting the people of Iraq," said Fink.
Dr. Fouad and Sheikh Eid check out a drip irrigation farm.
(Photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua M. Fink)
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IPs receive hands-on training from CF
FOB KALSU - CF teamed up with IP to conduct training on the proper techniques of searching and questioning detainees and witnesses Sept. 18 at FOB Iskan.
Soldiers from 1st Plt, Co C, 3rd Bn, 7th Inf Regt, 4th BCT, 3rd ID and MP attached to the bn, brought in IPs from Jurf as Sahkr, Hillah, Iskandariyah, Musayyib and Tahir to teach them several different techniques.
"It is important to have this kind of training because we can get more in-depth with training a smaller group," said Sgt. Brad Boyd, a MP with Co C. "Then the IPs can go and teach their station the classes."
The training consisted of techniques on questioning a person detained or involved in a crime, accident or incident. The team also taught how to properly approach personnel, search and detain them. "The IPs stayed motivated to learn and asked questions," said Boyd. "They were excited about being able to teach their officers."
After the classroom portion was complete, the class conducted a practical exercise to provide hands-on practice and get the IPs involved. They practiced the proper procedure for approaching and searching, as well as handcuffing the individual being searched. "We feel this training is very important for proper transition of this country," Boyd said. "Instead of CF giving all the training, this allows leaders of the IP station to conduct training on their own."
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