Dear Interested Reader,
We are grateful to be able to share a story of Sept. 11th being remembered in Iraq. Riyadh is celebrating the success of opening its Civil Service Corps, which will open job opportunities, while 76 children attended a summer computer camp in Baghdad. Iraq's first female police trainees attended a weapons familiarity training. Another sign of progress is Patrol Base Lion's Den being transfered to the IA, while IA Soldiers graduate from the "Iron Claw."
Joanna
____________________________________
Sept. 12, 2008
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Service members, civilians come together, remember September 11th
BAGHDAD - Service members and civilians gathered Sept. 11 to reflect on the events of September 11, 2001 during a remembrance ceremony at Al Faw Palace.
Several military members who experienced the tragedy firsthand were also present to pay tribute to their country's strength during crisis, to include Col. John Lenk, CJ1 safety, MNC - Iraq, who shared his recollection. "This tour of duty is very personal to me because I am one of the many survivors of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon that dreadful day," Lenk said. "Much of the world and the U.S. has forgotten why U.S. and CF are fighting in Iraq, but I will not forget."
The ceremony was especially meaningful to the deployed troops fighting for the very freedom the Sept. 11 attacks sought to jeopardize. "It motivates them to keep fighting for our nation, because I know they don't want to see this happen again in our home," said Staff Sgt. Lesly Torres, NCO in charge, Chaplain office, who took the lead in organizing the ceremony. "It hurts, but at the same time it gives them the strength to keep on fighting because so many people lost their lives."
Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, comm. gen., MNC-I and guest speaker of the ceremony offered heartfelt words on the attacks of Sept. 11, and the resiliency of the U.S. in the face of adversity. "Not only did our country unite as one, but the entire free world united against terrorism," Austin said. "I see that the American spirit is as alive today as it was 7 years ago, and I remain grateful for the sacrifices of our Coalition brothers and sisters."
Though the reminiscence was difficult for many, it reminded troops exactly what they're fighting for: freedom. "It gave me that reason why I'm here," Torres said. "It just gave me the strength to keep on going. I hope everybody who came out knows that it was an honor for me to put this ceremony together for them."
Service members and civilians sing "America the Beautiful."
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord)
Col. John Lenk shares his first-hand experience as a survivor of the terrorist attack.
A civilian firefighter deployed in support of OIF prays during the invocation.
Service members and civilians pray during the invocation.
Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III offers heartfelt words as the guest speaker.
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Riyadh Civil Service Corps opens job opportunities in Iraq
RIYADH - In the ongoing Iraq-wide effort to transition SoI members and provide jobs to Iraqi citizens, local govt and tribal leaders in Riyadh along with Soldiers of Co D, 1st Bn, 87th Inf Regt., 1st Bde, 10th Mtn Div, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony announcing the establishment of the Riyadh Civil Service Corps, Sept. 9.
The Riyadh Civil Service Corps is a 12-month program that will provide vocational classroom instruction and on-the-job training to its students beginning with 250 former Riyadh SoI. It is patterned after the 1930s U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps that provided jobs to combat unemployment during the Great Depression, putting U.S. citizens back to work, assisting with infrastructure needs in their respective communities.
The first of two programs will focus on the infrastructure needs of communities in the sub-district of Riyadh. It will provide training geared toward general construction-related skills and will include electrical, plumbing and carpentry, according to Capt. Jon Anderson, cmdr., Co D, 1st Bn, 87th Inf. Regt.
The second program is the Riyadh Road Construction project, which will equip students with road-paving skills. These students will later be utilized as "much-needed road crews, repairing heavily traveled roads throughout the sub-district," said Anderson.
"Now that our SF have regained the security in our neighborhoods, we are able to concentrate on our people and the needs of our villages," Riyadh Mayor Hussein said during the ceremony. "With our own hands we will rebuild our communities - our future, - and we are very grateful to the CF for their friendship and assistance in making this day possible."
Anderson added that the day's event could not have been possible without, "the efforts of your Iraqi SF and all of you - the people of Riyadh." He wished them success with their schooling. "You will never forget the destruction that your enemies caused to your lives, and you will always remember your contributions to the rebirth of your communities," he said.
Capt. Jon Anderson speaks with local govt and tribal leaders in front of the Riyadh General Construction Building.
(Army photo by 1st Lt. Bryce Thurman)
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Summer computer camp proves successful in Ghazaliyah
BAGHDAD - 76 Iraqi children attended a computer camp held July 6-Aug. 26 in the northwest Baghdad community of Ghazaliyah. The camp was an initiative to keep children learning during the summer break and put to good use the one thing the Dar Al Hekma Primary School has that other schools in the area do not.
The students learned basic computer skills, such as creating documents, using word processors and inserting photos into documents, said Haifa, the schools headmistress.
"This program gets the children focused on learning, and they have a great time doing it," said Capt. Thomas Melton, cmdr., Troop A, 1st Sqdrn, 75th Cav Regt, 2nd BCT, 101st Abn Div (AASLT). "Along with the program, they were given a meal during the day, which helps out the families a lot too." When the School reopened in May, it was the first of its kind in Ghazaliyah, he said. Since then, Haifa has done quite a lot of work here. "To start back operating a school and to be able to jump to something like this is quite an accomplishment," Melton said. In addition to the Computer Camp, the school has plans on expanding its extracurricular programs.
"In the future, we are planning on having a sewing and flower arranging class for the girls," said Haifa. "It will be held after class or on the weekends so it does not interfere with school work."
"We hope to keep this an annual event," said Capt. Joseph Sincere, 1st Sqdn., 75th Cav. Regt., adding that with twelve other schools being renovated in Ghazaliyah, "We hope to provide computer labs for each school to conduct summer computer camps across Ghazaliyah."
Iraqi children wait to receive their graduation certificates.
(Army photo by Capt. Joseph Sincere)
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Female IP trainees conduct weapons training
AL UDAIM - Twenty-one Iraqi women, Iraq's first female police trainees, attended weapons familiarization training Sept. 4 at the MND-N Regional Training Center in Diyala Province.
The IP course is 4 weeks of instruction that trains basic police skills to include basic rifle marksmanship training. The female trainees, for the first time training alongside their male colleagues, were taught how to fire a PKM automatic machine gun and a 9 mm pistol. "For many of the Iraqi women, this was the first time that they have handled a weapon," said Capt David Castillo, officer in charge RTC, 728th MP Bn, 18th MP Bde and MND-N.
While IP and CF Soldiers provided instruction to all 750 trainees, at the academy, the 21 new female trainees showed a lot of potential at the range with some even displaying marked proficiency. "The female police trainees have shown great enthusiasm and are eager to learn," said Castillo. "Overall, the training was a success but they still need a lot of work," said Castillo. "Many of them have never handled a weapon before and some are still terrified of them."
In addition to weapons training, the IP training course certifies trainees on basic personal defensive tactics, human rights and ethics, democratic policing, Iraqi Rule of Law and basic first aid.
A female MP Soldier, Spc. Britnney K. Lloyd, (right), 212th MP Co, shows a female IP trainee how to properly maintain a 9 mm pistol.
(Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Patricia L. Baiocchetti)
Sgt. 1st Class Patricia Baiocchetti, MP Soldier, 1175th MP Co, coaches a female IP trainee on loading a magazine into her weapon.
(Army photo by Spc. Brittney K. Lloyd)
A female IP trainee loads a PKM automatic machine gun on a local range.
(Army Photo by: Sgt 1st Class Patricia Baiochitti)
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Iraqi SWAT teams round up criminals in central Iraq
BALAD - In a Sept. 7 op in Hashimiyah, Hillah SWAT arrested 3 suspected criminal members on a Ministry of Interior (MoI) warrant. The individuals are said to be responsible for IED and small arms fire attacks against Iraqi and CF.
In a separate op Sept. 6, serving an MoI warrant, Hillah SWAT arrested a suspected criminal leader of an assassination cell in Sedah. He allegedly ordered an IED attack against CF. Additionally, that individual allegedly ordered several criminal members to attack an IP station and assassinate an Iraqi SWAT member.
In an operation Sep. 5, Hillah SWAT arrested 2 criminals on an MoI warrant. One of the two is said to be a criminal leader responsible for IED and small arms fire attacks against Iraqi and CF. Both suspects are believed to be responsible for the 2007 IED attack against a Hillah Regional Embassy Office convoy which killed 3 U.S. Soldiers.
In a separate op Sept. 5, Diwaniyah SWAT captured a suspected criminal believed to be a facilitator of EFPs in southern Iraq.
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Patrol Base Lion's Den transferred to Iraqi Army
CAMP STRIKER - Sept. 6, Co B, 1st Bn, 35th AR transferred Patrol Base Lion's Den, approx. 15 km southwest of Baghdad, to IA.
"It is an honor for us to receive the patrol base (and) ... to be trusted so we can accomplish our mission," said Lt. Col Adnon, IA EO.
"Today's ceremony marks several years of successful partnership," said Capt. Eric Morton, cmdr. of Co. B, 1st Bn., 35th AR. "Just last year, this area was a hotbed for AQI and other insurgent orgs. With the joint efforts of the IA, SoI and the U.S. Army, al-Qaeda no longer has a support base here to conduct their ops."
PB Lion's Den is the sixth patrol base in the 3rd BCT, 101st Abn Div (AASLT) ops area that has transitioned to the IA since Aug. 5. By November 14, patrol bases within 3rd BCT's area will transition to the IA as the ISF takes a greater lead in the securing the area.
1st Sgt William O'Connor and Capt. Eric Morton, 1st Sgt and cmdr. of Co. B, case the unit's colors during transition ceremony.
(Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy)
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Iraqi Army soldiers graduate from the 'Iron Claw'
Col. David Paschal, 1st BCT, 10th Mtn Div cmdr., and other leaders, watch the "Iron Claw" graduates demonstrate their new skills during a post-graduation demo Sept. 8 at an IA base in Kirkuk. The graduation ceremony was the culmination of a 2 week training course hosted by Co A, Special Troops Bn, 1st Bde, 10th Mtn Div. The "Iron Claw" Academy is the first of its kind which partnered IA Soldiers to get hands on training in route clearance ops that keep the roads clear of deadly roadside bombs.
The IA soldiers practiced using the articulated arm bar from the 1st BSTB's Buffalos, which are very similar to the ones they will be using on their own Badger-equipped versions.
(Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ave Pele-Sizelove)
One of 32 "Iron Claw" academy graduates with the coveted patch and graduation certificate.
The 15th IA took delivery of its first "Iron Claw" equipped Badger on Sept. 8 to commemorate the graduation.
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