Dear Interested Reader,
Lots of happy faces in Basra as a primary healthcare clinic opens. Displaced Diyala residents return to their homes, while Iraqi and U.S. SF conduct ops to disrupt AQI leadership and network. New bridge unites sister cities and boosts the economy. Enjoy a proud story of two brothers supporting each other in the Army, and a picture story of the 553rd hard at work.
Joanna
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Sept. 10, 2008
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Basra Neighborhood Pleased with New Primary Healthcare Clinic
By A. Al Bahrani
Gulf Region South district
A newly-opened primary healthcare center in Basra’s al-Risala neighborhood is seeing an average of 300 patients daily.
BASRA — Thousands of residents in the al-Risala neighborhood in Basra no longer have to walk or drive up to 20 km to get medical care for their families, since the Iraqi Ministry of Health opened a new Primary Healthcare Center here in July.
Dr. Alia Al-Hassan, the clinic administrator said, “We’re providing healthcare to about 300 patients daily, newborns to the elderly. This community, which has been neglected for a long time, is thrilled to have this new, modern medical facility.” She pointed out they currently have a staff of 40 personnel. “We hope to increase that number in the near future to offer additional medical services.”
Physician Asst. Na’ma said that the new healthcare center features state-of-the-art equipment, and for some patients “it’s the first time their families have had access to preventive medical services, as well as certain high tech services.”
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Blackanthem Military News
Family Ties
Story by Sgt. Rosemary Martinez
(left to right) Capt. Peter Patterson, cmdr. of the 297th Inland Cargo Transfer Co, 553rd CSSB, re-enlists his younger brother, Sgt. 1st Class Andre Patterson, ops NCO for the U.S. Army Special Ops HQ, during a ceremony Aug. 17, at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad.
(Army photo by PFC. Dwight Feuerborn)
CAMP LIBERTY - Two Soldiers, who also happen to be brothers, chose different career paths in the Army; but throughout their careers they have proven how good it is to have family by their side.
"It's great to have my older brother re-enlist me, just as he has been there over the years from my promotions to my NCO induction ceremony," said Sgt. 1st Class Patterson.
Both brothers have a history of supporting each other in Army traditions such as when Capt. Patterson first became a commissioned officer. His younger brother, then a Specialist, pinned on his 2nd Lieutenant bars and was also the first to salute him as an officer after his graduation from the U.S. Military Academy in 1999.
Sgt. 1st Class Patterson stated that his older brother has been there to pin him to Sgt, Staff Sgt, and Sgt First Class while he was there to pin Capt. Patterson to 2nd and 1st Lt and Captain. He hopes he gets an opportunity to pin him to Major.
Neither of the Patterson brothers is new to deployment. Both have deployed 3 times in support of OIF since the initial invasion in 2003.
"There is no better organization in the world than the U.S. Army. No other organization will let you keep your brother in the same organization and pay him for it," said Capt. Patterson.
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Over 1,000 displaced citizens return to Diyala
DIYALA, Iraq - Over 1,000 displaced Diyala citizens have returned to their homes after being forced out by sectarian conflicts and intimidation.
"The return of displaced persons is a visible sign of progress in Diyala Province and clearly indicates improvements in the security situation and increased confidence in the provincial govt are
giving people the welcomed chance to return to their homes," said Maj. Jon Pendell, spokesperson for the 2nd Stryker Cav Regt.
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ISF and U.S. Special Forces conduct operations in Diyala and as-Sadiyah
DIYALA -
Iraqi SWAT team, alongside U.S. SF Soldiers, conduct an op in a village in Diyala province, Sept. 5, to disrupt AQI leadership and network.
(Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Miguel Angel Contreras)
Iraqi SWAT, alongside U.S. SF Soldiers, conduct an op in a village in the Bani Sayd region,
known to be a bed-down site for ISI and AQI cell leaders, to disrupt terrorist activities in Diyala province.
Iraqi and U.S. SF Soldiers post security during an op in as-Sadiyah, Sept. 5 in search of a suspected AQI financier and facilitator.
(Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian K. Fromal)
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New Bridge Unites Sister Cities
By Alicia Embrey
Gulf Region South district
KUFA — During the recent opening ceremony of a new bridge south of Baghdad, Iraq’s VP said the $6.5 million project shows the Iraqi govt’s commitment to improving people’s lives in poorer areas that were ignored by the former regime.
“Projects such as the new Imam Ali Bridge will help generate economic improvement,” VP Adil Abdal-Mahdi said. Included in the project are sidewalks, railings and approach lighting systems, along with a paved area on each side of the bridge for fire truck access to the river.
The bridge will provide a safe and reliable crossing across the Euphrates River connecting the sister cities of Kufa and Najaf, a vital component for commerce and transportation in that region, said Dr. Ameer, the Iraqi dep. Resident Engr. with the Gulf Region Div.
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Fallujah Paves Path for Commerce
By Cpl. Chris Lyttle
FALLUJAH — CF and the Fallujah City Council (FCC) are overseeing a road construction project to better facilitate commercial truckers entering the city.
Civil Affairs Team 2, 2nd Bn, 11th Marines, in direct support of 3rd Bn, 6th Marines, and the FCC are 3 weeks into repaving the route through Entry Control Point 1A, a checkpoint on the outskirts of Fallujah designed to safeguard the commercial truck entrance into the city.
Staff Sgt. Aaron Colling, team chief, Civil Affairs Team 2, who is responsible for the reconstruction project assessment and tracking its progress, said, “From a security standpoint, traffic will move smoother, but in a more controlled environment— and it’s going to look more professional.”
The project was initiated by the FCC and is funded by the GoI. Team 2 was tasked to manage the project and ensure it is completed according to GoI standards. This road will come off of the highway straight through the ECP and into the city. Before, the road weaved in and out, making it difficult for 18-wheelers, which averaged 5 miles-per-hour through the checkpoint. “Time waiting in line is going to be much less,” Colling said. “People may have thought before, ‘Well, I don’t want to go to Fallujah City because it’s going to take an hour just to get my truck through.’ Now there’s going to be a separate line for empty trucks. That will speed up the time for those trucks actually bringing in goods so they can get into the city faster. Basically, it improves commerce and returns normalcy to the city.”
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Stable Markets
U.S. Soldiers patrol the Hariyah district in Baghdad, Aug. 30, 2008. The Soldiers are in the 101st Abn Div's Co A, 1st Bn, 502nd Inf Regt, 2nd BCT.
U.S. Army photo by Spc. Charles Gill.
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Blackanthem Military News
Photos : 553rd Soldiers
By Staff Sgt. James E. Brown Jr.
CAMP LIBERTY -
Automated Logistical Specialist, Pvt. 1st Class Curtis McCloud, 503rd Maintenance Co, 553rd Combat Support Sustainment Bde, 1st Sustainment Bde, gets out of the sun to cool off a little bit after a heat warning went into effect.
Training Room Specialist Spc. Raven Smith, inputs some data in her computer while working in the orderly room. The Orderly room overseas a large range of administrative actions for the Soldiers.
Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic, Spc. Joel Sain, 24th Ordnance Detachment, looks at a blueprint of a 6k forklift in order to replace a wiring harness.
Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic, Spc. Benjamin Trimble, 24th Ordnance Detachment, assists a fellow Soldier in replacing a wiring harness on a 6k forklift.
Chemical Ops Specialist, Spc. Clarence Dabnay, HHC, assists the supply sgt in stocking supplies.
All Wheel Vehicle Mechanic, Spc. Kevin Powers, operates a forklift moving skids loaded with supplies.
Food Service Specialist, Cpl. Jude Julian, 590th Field Service Co, unloads his unit's meal for the day, out of a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV).
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