Dear Interested Reader,
Our troops are so proud of their commitment to enhancing education for the children of Iraq, while Marines are proud of the Iraqi led security in Jazeerah. 704 new Iraqi policemen including 24 women, who were the first women to graduate in Ashraf. Enjoy the happy faces of Iraqi children with our compassionate troops. A suspected IED cell leader detained north of Taji.
Joanna
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Sept. 20, 2008
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Commitment to Education Ensures Bright Future for Iraq
An Iraqi girl swings her new backpack over her shoulder, Aug. 21, 2008. Teachers passed out school supplies and toys to the students after receiving them from U.S. Marines.
Photo and story by Lance Cpl. Scott Schmidt
KHALIDYAH — Marines with Co C, 1st Bn, 2nd Marine Regt, RCT 1, met with school officials in Khalidyah recently to discuss any essential services the school may need.
“Our children are our future,” explained Hamda Metap, the Khalidyah school’s headmaster. “They see everyday, how Iraq is growing and they will be the ones to make the advancements to the community as they grow older.”
Khalidyah’s community joined together during the last few weeks to clean the school’s grounds and make repairs in preparation for the start of the new school year. Students also took part in their schools’ cleanup, sweeping rooms and organizing desks. “It is important that the children have a clean and adequate place to learn,” explained Metap.
Metap has been teaching for 25 years and in that time she said she has never seen a brighter future for the children than in recent months. “Everything the Marines and the Iraqi community have done for us, we are extremely grateful,” she said. Many of the Marines said they understand and value the future of Khalidyah’s children and will continue to do what they can to help.
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Iraqi-led Security is Nothing New
By Lance Cpl. Scott Schmidt
U.S. Marines join an Iraqi-lead security patrol with IP, Sept. 5, 2008.
JAZEERAH — Although official provincial Iraqi control has only recently been applied in the al Anbar province, IP in Jazeerah have conducted themselves as the area’s leading SF for some time.
Jazeerah Police and Marines with 1st Plt, Co C, Task Force 1st Bn, 2nd Marine Regt, RCT 1, have been conducting combined security patrols in the area since the bn’s arrival in July 2008. This partnership was in place with other bns in the area before 1st Bn., 2nd Marines’ arrival. Once a hot spot for terrorist weapons caches, Jazeerah is becoming a model community for the province.
As IP and Marines patrol through the many small neighborhoods in the city, it is now the IP dictating the pace of the op, said Cpl. James Mohr, a 26-year-old squad leader with the platoon.
Lance Cpl. Justin McClelland, a 22-year-old team leader with 1st Plt, said the working relationship between the citizens and SF is one that shows “progress in transition; when Marines are gone, there will be an efficient SF in place.” Iraqis, acting on their own initiative, are actively and deliberately engaging the populous. McClelland also explained that the Jazeerah IP officers’ professionalism, which is present in every aspect of their duties, is second to none.
“The police are patrolling in excess because they understand the importance of security and a relationship with the community,” said Mohr. “The community is at ease when they see the police out here.”
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Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348
704 new Iraqi police men and women graduate in Ashraf (Diyala)
Diyala – Jubilant IP graduates jumped with joy as they graduated from Ashraf Training Center Sept. 17, in Diyala. There were 704 graduates, including 21 females who were the first women to graduate from the Ashraf facility and join the IP.
“This is one of the happiest days of my life. I have always dreamed of becoming an IP,” said Ali, one of the graduates.
IP Maj. Gen. Abdul, acting provincial director of police in Diyala, congratulated the graduates for their commitment to Iraq and for stepping forward to serve their country. He said the Iraqi SF are ready to receive the security for Diyala Province from the MNF-Iraq.
Following a marching ceremony, the new police demonstrated their skills with a precision drill team, handling a civilian disturbance, working a checkpoint, and searching. A truck was stopped and women police quickly frisked and then handcuffed a woman who was in the truck. Diyala has been the target of many female suicide bombers in recent months.
Maj. Gen. Jerry Cannon, comm. gen. of the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team for the Directorate of Interior Affairs, said the addition of women police will strengthen the IP force and help them save lives. “This is a wonderful integration of what’s necessary for success in the future for a secure and stable Iraq. Having women in the police will be great for the security. It is a great addition that will allow the IP to provide even better security for the people of Iraq,” said Cannon.
Another class of IP recruits will start training in October with still more women signing up to serve and protect their country.
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Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Suspected IED cell leader detained
BAGHDAD – Sept. 18, Soldiers from 1st Bn, 14th Inf Regt, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th Inf Div, detained the suspect at approx. 11 p.m. north of Taji.
The individual is an alleged IED cell leader in the al Abayachi area and suspected of orchestrating an Aug. 10 suicide-belt IED attack in Tarmiyah, as well as multiple small-arms attacks. The suspect is also alleged to have secured weapons for use against Iraqi Security and CF.
“These 2 are suspected to be an integral part of an elaborate IED group. Having them off the streets provides an immediate security win," said Maj. Jim Craig, ops officer for 2nd SBCT. “SoI turned these 2 over to CF in an effort to remove known criminals from their area. With actions like this, the SoI continue to prove their value to their neighborhoods and to the country. ”
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Shared Hope
Sgt. 1st Class Ernest Oberst, Gladstone teaches Iraqi children how to make the peace sign during Op Hammer Bonzai XI in the Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad. Oberst serves as an inf plt sgt in Co B, 52nd Inf Regt, 1st Bn, 27th Inf Regt.
Photo by Staff Sgt. J.B. Jaso.
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Smiling Faces
A group of children play as Iraqi NP and U.S. Soldiers from 64th ACR, 4th Bde, 3rd ID search a mullalah in Risalah, Sept. 15, 2008, in order to document the local military aged males residing there.
Photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelvin Surgener.
Partners
U.S. Soldier Sgt. Craig Walker and his working dog, Staff Sgt Carla of the 4th ID take a quick break in an open lot while searching for weapons caches.
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