Dear Interested Reader,
Enjoy inspiring stories of new schools opening and others having been refurbished, and joyful children's faces. Iraqis are making great strides in learning to perform logistics missions, as well as learning port of entry security on the Jordanian border. Sunnis and Shiias strengthen their reconciliation progress. JSS-5 celebrates partnership in moving dedication ceremony. IED factory and large weapons caches seized.
Joanna
_______________________________
Oct. 13, 2008
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
School Bell Rings: Another Primary School Renovated, Open for Class
An Iraqi woman rolls up a ribbon just after it was cut at a celebration.
Photo and story by Sgt. Paul Monroe
BAGHDAD — Local Iraqi officials, IA and MND – Baghdad Soldiers attended a ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Al Rasheed Primary School in the Mansour District of northwest Baghdad, Oct. 9.
The ceremony marked the completion of renovations brought about through the combined efforts of members of the Mansour District Advisory Council, Iraqi security and CF. The groups worked together to add new doors and windows, fresh paint and refurbished bathrooms to improve the school which provides education to approx. 500 boys and girls.
“Everyone is pleased because this is the first time the school has been renovated in 20 years,” said Jabar Delami, deputy DAC chairman. “The presence of Iraqi security and CF here today will make the students very happy,” said Delami. “One of the reasons we have celebrations like these is to give students a sense of the nature of Iraqi security and CF, their behavior and their generosity.”
Capt. Tom McInnis, a civil affairs team chief with 432nd CAB, works to synchronize the efforts of Coalition Soldiers, Iraqi officials and various non-governmental orgs. to assist citizens in the Mansour District of northwest Baghdad. “When we saw the school it was in such rough shape, I would think that just being in a newer facility or at least a renovated one would help them in their learning environment,” said McInnis.
The 432nd CAB is a reserve unit from Green Bay, Wis., whose members draw on their Army training when called upon to connect local cmdrs. with the civilian populace and coordinate assistance.
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Faces of Iraq come together for children's education
FOB KALSU - A new school opened in al-Hak, Babil Province, Oct. 7. The new school's courtyard was filled with local leaders, shaykhs, CF, IA soldiers, school teachers, IP and even SoI, who came together to celebrate the occasion.
"I'm very happy today. This is a great day," said Halil Ali, the school director of the new al-Khuts School building. "I feel very settled and happy because it's really when we see kids happy that reflects a good picture of the whole area, the whole families."
The new school building will support 250 high school students who previously shared crammed hallways with 500 elementary students.
During the event, IA soldiers handed out boxes of school supplies to children and new backpacks to the high school students. "That's what we're supposed to do," Iraqi soldier, Pvt. Ali Ahmed, said about his involvement. "We support the Iraqi education because when we help these people and give them these supplies that helps them to keep doing what they're doing in this school; encourage them."
Though the supplies came from families and orgs. in the U.S., the school itself was funded by the GOI through the Iraqi Cmdr's. Emergency Response Program. The project cost just under $100,000 and was put into action by a local contractor who was recommended and esteemed by the community.
"It's a great feeling," said 1st Lt. Nicholas Farfsing about seeing the project being completed. Farfsing served as the I-CERP project officer for this school and took a personal satisfaction in seeing the children smile and play during the celebration. "I didn't expect to come to Iraq and help people like this, not to this extent," said Farfsing, Btry B, 1st Bn, 76th FAR. "So it's absolutely a great feeling. I put a lot of hard work into it, and I'm just happy to see Iraq moving in the right direction."
"While we're out here, we're trying to show that it's the GoI that's put this project forth," said Capt. Nolan Gordon, cmdr., Btry. B. "I think it shows the amount of security that is in the area and how comfortable people are with the security, and being able to come to a place like this in the middle of the day," said Gordon.
Captain Nolan Gordon speaks with local leaders.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret)
A group of young girls stand in front of the new school.
An IA Soldier hands out school supplies.
A group of school girls smile after receiving school supplies.
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Requisition, tracking of spare parts essential for IA sustainment
COB ADDER - Since 2003 there have many changes to Iraq and its Army, to include how the IA sustains itself each day.
Since May 2008, a small team of logistics advisors from Fort Eustis's 7th Sus. Bde have been assisting Iraqi logisticians of the 8th IA on FOB Germany in building a streamlined spare parts or "Class IX" system.
"For the layperson, Class IX is a logistics subcategory that covers repair parts for vehicles and equipment maintained by the IA," said Capt. Daniel A. Fishback, senior logistics advisor to the 8th IA. "When we arrived we had to start from ground zero," said Fishback. "To put it into perspective, since the war began in OIF I, the IA hasn't performed logistics missions."
In addition to general organization, mentorship and partnership has also played a part in improvements to the IA logistics mission. "We've helped enable the IA to perform the Class IX functions with logistics. We also have offered the ability to train them. For example, we have provided them translated training manuals at the 10, 20 and 30 level, so they can work on American issued vehicles. As of now, we are in the beginning phases of them receiving supplies at the warehouse," said Fishback. "It basically entails teaching them how to properly request equipment parts and supplies.
Some of the challenges we've had to overcome include: developing trust with an ally who was once an enemy, teaching them our systems from the U.S. Army, and the language barriers," said Fishback.
Ultimately, the mastery requisitioning and distribution of parts will prove to be a logistical function that will help define self-sustainment for Iraqi Forces. "By them being able to perform these functions their Army will be able to defend itself, repair its own vehicles and have its own supply lines," said Fishback. "This is very important, because in order for us to leave, the IA will need to be able to support and defend itself internally."
Sgt. Bennett L. Tracey a logistics advisor to the 8th IA goes over inventory paperwork protocol with Maj. Kareem, officer in charge of the Regional Maintenance Center for the 8th IA at their warehouse.
(Army photo by Sgt R.J. Gilbert)
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MND-B Soldiers, ISF discover munitions across Rashid
BAGHDAD - Oct. 10, at approx. 10:45 a.m., IA soldiers discovered 17 81 mm mortar rounds, 12 60 mm mortar rounds, 2 120mm mortar rounds, 10 pounds of plastic explosives, 2 pounds of TNT, 6 RPG propellant sticks and various bomb making material while on patrol in the Karb De Gla community.
At approx. 12:30 p.m. in the Aamel community, IP found 3 RPGs and a hand grenade
in a house while on patrol. The policemen secured the ammo.
Soldiers from Co C, 1st Bn, 22nd Inf Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, discovered an 82 mm mortar round while on patrol at approx. 12:45 p.m. in the Shurta community.
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JSS 5 celebrates partnership at dedication ceremony
FOB DELTA - IP and U.S. Soldiers stood side-by-side in formation as the Iraqi Flag was raised over JSS 5 during a dedication ceremony, Oct. 6.
IP Special Response Team-3 and Btry A, 2nd Bn, 20th FAR have been training together at the JSS since August. "I am happy and proud to be in a partnership with CF," said Col. Ubaid, SRT-3 cmdr. "Together with CF, Iraqi SF are ready to take on the terrorists that commit crimes against the Iraqi people."
"To our brothers and sisters in the Iraqi SF, both the patriots in the IA and the steadfast servants of the IP, we pledge to walk with you every step of the way to create a glorious future for Wasit Province and Iraq," said Lt. Col. Timothy Bush, 2nd Bn, 20th FAR cmdr.
JSS-5 is named for 3 fallen Soldiers: IA soldier Salih Hameed, IP Lt. Col. Salam Abass and U.S. Army Soldier Spc. Rasheed Sahib.
After the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Buchannan, MND-C dep. comm. gen. for ops, and Maj. Gen. Abed al-Haneen, Wasit Provincial Directorate of Police, cut the ribbon at the JSS.
Captain Paul Otto, cmdr. of Btry A, 2nd Bn, 20th FAR, salutes during the playing of the Iraqi and U.S. national anthem.
(Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson)
Soldiers from Btry A and SRT- 3, IP, stand in formation.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Buchannan and Maj. Gen. Abed al-Haneen, cut the ribbon.
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Iraqis Learn Port of Entry Security on Jordanian Border
An Iraqi border police officer (front, left), demonstrates a restraint technique in the process of searching a subject.
Photo and story by Capt. Paul Greenberg
COP TREBIL — A small band of Marine Corps warrior-instructors in the barren stretch of desert along the Iraqi-Jordanian border watched their Iraqi pupils graduate from a border police basic skills course, Oct. 7.
Assisted by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers and Iraqi interpreters, the Marine Corps’ Port of Entry Transition Team (POETT) designed and taught the course to a group of 26 Iraqi officials and police officers responsible for all vehicle traffic and commerce coming into and departing Iraq through the Port of Trebil. The port of entry is the only major crossing point into Jordan, one of Iraq’s primary trading partners.
The week-long course emphasized basic security skills such as subject-interviewing techniques, observation and recognition of threats, body behavior, searching people and vehicles and passport recognition.
“First and foremost, the POETT’s mission is to advise, train and mentor the various Iraqi port agencies and Iraqi SF in order to achieve a higher and sustainable level of security at the port,” said Lt. Col. Boyd Miller, 38, the Trebil POETT leader.
A logistics officer by trade, Miller explained that because of the Arabic language and international relations training he went through at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College; in addition to the pre-deployment training his team received in California, he arrived in Iraq last month fully prepared to lead his team in efforts to train a professional Iraqi border force.
“We’re not a COIN [counter-insurgency] force, and I’m not a battle space cmdr.,” said Miller. “We are embedded advisors who live and work inside the port of entry with our Iraqi counterparts to achieve our mission. We are a transition team working toward a transfer of knowledge and skills to enable the Iraqis to ultimately provide adequate security for their country without Coalition support.”
Miller explained that one of the biggest challenges for his team is to serve as an “honest broker” between the various agencies responsible for security here, to include the Iraqi port director’s office, the civil customs dept., passport and residency offices, Iraqi commandos, port info officers and the customs police.
Col. Talib Ramadan, a Fallujah native, is dir. of customs police in Trebil. With more than 26 combined years in the military and police, he is struggling with the current challenges, such as lack of an operating budget and dearth of equipment. Nonetheless, he is optimistic about the future. As a result of his officers’ training with the Marines, Ramadan said he has seen a definite improvement. “Even though most of our police officers have 20 or more years of experience, the Marines are teaching important additional skills, such as in apprehension procedures and passport inspection. In the practical application exercise, you can see their improvement.”
Miller and his Marines meet and dine with Ramadan at his office regularly and view the director as a wise, old warhorse with a colorful and warm personality. “We’re a very wealthy country,” added Ramadan. “The success of our govt in the future lies in our ability to develop our infrastructure, especially in the port regions. Equipping and arming our SF will make them ready for future challenges.”
Officer Taha Dahi, clad in camouflage fatigues and toting an AK-47 rifle, is one of the senior Iraqi commandos, who are the most heavily armed members of the border units and are responsible for providing “guardian angel” security for the police officers as they search vehicles and personnel. “There is about a 90% overall improvement in performance as a result of our training with CF,” said Dahi with the help of an interpreter. “The Iraqi ministries are starting to select the right people to perform key duties, such as police officers, teachers and rehiring previous IA officers in Al Anbar Province.” said Dahi, 40, a former agriculture merchant from Habbaniya.
The keynote speaker for the graduation ceremony was Lt. Col. Hamad, dep. dir. of the Port of Trebil. “This is a unique opportunity for you to work with CF,” said Hamad. “Respect your instructors’ knowledge and remember everything they taught you. Always keep in mind that your job is to implement the rule of law.”
Miller and his team are scheduled to remain in Trebil for the next 6 months, during which time they expect to see more positive changes and a waning requirement for operational oversight by CF.
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Sunni, Shiia Reconcile Over Eid, Celebrate Release of Detainees
By Army Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret
FOB KALSU — Less than a year ago, Sunni and Shiia tribal groups in the north of Iraq's Babil province were divided. Now, they celebrate and share meals together for both large and small occasions.
Two of the largest tribes in this region celebrated Eid al-Fitr together to mark the end of Ramadan, and they welcomed back 2 members released from detention – a stark contrast to the way these tribes approached each other not long ago.
Their most recent celebration together, Oct. 3, marked another step in the right direction for unity in Iraq. The 2 released detainees, a Sunni and a Shiia, had been in detention for 6 and 4 months, respectively.
"It was important to get them back during Eid," said Getchell. "The population recognized it as a gift, and I stressed that it was a gift for them to build upon, continue their reconciliation." What was remarkable to Getchell was how warmly the Sunnis greeted the Shiia member, while the Shiia did the same for the Sunni member. Not only that, he said, but it had been Shiia leaders requesting the release of the Sunni prisoner, while Sunni leaders had asked that the Shiia prisoner be freed.
The 2 tribes once were associated with violence – the Janabi tribe with the Jisr al Mahdi militia and the Musudi tribe with al-Qaida - and now they were looking out for each other's peace and well-being, Getchell said. This is one of the main motivators that Getchell said give him hope for the future. "I said, OK, if Sunnis are coming in and asking me for a Shiia, and Shiia are asking me for a Sunni, a member of another tribe, maybe they are ready to take a step forward," he said.
Over the months, Getchell said, he saw tension between the 2 tribes quiet while their mutual respect grew. The senior members of the tribes always maintained interaction during formal gatherings, he said, but the younger men wanted little to do with one another. Combining checkpoints and insisting on working relations and unity, the colonel said, allowed the incremental growth that now puts distance between the 2 tribes and their past. "[At the dinner] I asked the leaders to ... turn the page of the past and begin a new page in the cooperation of the future," he said. "One of the local leaders said, 'We're not going to turn the page of the past. We're going to burn the page from the past and start fresh.'"
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IP find IED factory in Mosul
NINAWA, Iraq – IP found an IED factory in Mosul, Oct. 12. The factory included 2 bags of homemade explosives weighing about 150 pounds each, 3 bags of ammonium nitrate weighing about 10 pounds each and other IED making materials.
In addition to the supplies, IP detained a suspect who was in the vicinity.
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ISF find large explosives cache in Salah ad Din
SALAH AD DIN – In southern Tikrit, Salah ad Din Oct. 11, the cache seized included approx. 700 152mm white phosphorous artillery rounds and over 300 .50 caliber rounds.
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