Dear Interested Reader,
We have an exciting story about a new school partnership program to strengthen ties, and more stories about doing good for the children of Iraq. Business opportunities are being generated, while an new school opens in the Baghdad area, which will cater to underprivileged girls. Many criminals are detained and weapons caches seized.
Joanna
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October 02, 2008
Blackanthem Military News
New school partnership program strengthens ties between US, Iraq
By Staff Sgt. Michael Molinaro
Sgt. Aaron Simmons talks with a group of boys about the backpack he is holding during a visit to the Al Murooa School for Girls May 12. Simmons serves as a squad leader with 3rd Plt, Co A, 1st CAB, 68th Armored Regt, 3rd BCT, 4th ID. The Silver Lions Soldiers are helping the school headmaster in finding ways to receive additional help from the GOI and neighborhood councils for the more than 800 students who attend the school through various programs offered by the GOI.
(Army photo by Spc. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo)
BAGHDAD - Soldiers from the 4th ID continue to make great strides on the ground with their Iraqi counterparts, partnering with the Iraqi SF to sustain a sense of normalcy in Baghdad. As attacks are at an all-time low since the start of OIF, the division moves to support the securing of Iraq's future.
A new partnership is pairing schools and educators in the U.S. with their brethren here in Baghdad to expand that alliance beyond fighting an enemy and to investing in Baghdad's future. "Our military leaders are reaching out to schools here and back in the U.S. so that educators can exchange info about the latest techniques and instructional methods," said Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, comm. gen. of MND-B and 4th ID.
The program was initiated by leaders of the 2nd BCT, 101st Abn Div (AASLT). Hammond endorsed the initiative and called for an MND-B-wide program Sept. 24. It's also an opportunity to develop pen pals between students. Right now 19 schools have partnered up.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) supported the idea and assisted MND-B in determining schools to get the program up-and-running. Members of the Killeen Independent School District have been very receptive to the program, said Hammond. A similar program exists between 4th ID units and schools in and around Colorado Springs. Now the program wants to expand on a much grander scale. "The goals are to share info, help each other understand the other's country culturally and to help U.S. schools get supplies to Baghdad schools that need supplies," said Messmer.
MoE personnel let it be known that there is a lack of books in English available for students to learn English. As word began to spread about the program, an English training aide and supply donation drive was conducted in Nebraska, Wisconsin and Virginia. English, math and science books were collected and shipped from Fort Campbell, Ky., to Camp Liberty for distribution to students in the partnered schools.
MND-B has assisted the MoE in building or remodeling more than 350 school projects since December, Messmer said. They share dialogue to ensure Iraqi standards are met, and the qualities of the schools are as good as any you will find in the U.S.
"I have 2 teenage children, so education is big with me," Hammond remarked. "These new relationships will encourage children to share ideas and experiences which are common to all children everywhere. These new friendships will last through time and strengthen the bonds between our people and our nations."
For those interested in establishing a linkage with a school, email [email protected] for more info on how to be part of something special.
Pvt. Joshua Pinson, who serves as a combat medic with 3rd Pln, provides some medicines to an Ur neighborhood resident during a visit paid to the Al Murooa School for Girls May 12. (Army photos by Spc. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo)
Pvt. Joshua Pinson looks at a residents' waist during a visit. The man asked Pinson if he had some medicines for a rash.
Spc. Daniel Tweit, who serves as an infantryman with 3rd Pln, chats with a boy during a visit.
Spc. Daniel Tweit watches as a group of girls go to their homes with new backpacks given to them by the Soldiers.
Sgt. Aaron Simmons, who serves as a squad leader with 3rd Pln, pounds fists with a group of boys that showed up during a visit.
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
IA establishing good ties with Iraqi citizens
MOSUL - Iraqi Soldiers took the time to distribute school supplies, personal hygiene items and clothing to families in need, during a humanitarian assistance visit to the villagers of Yarminjah, located in the southeastern section of Mosul, Sept. 29.
"The IA has donated to some needy families," said Maj.Tony Vacha, team chief for Co C, 415th Civil Affairs Detachment. "Being able to give gifts provides another outlet for the IA to connect with the local community other than checkpoints and conducting
raids on their homes."
The children of Yarminjah gather to receive supplies and gifts.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson)
Capt. Antoine McKinsey, human resource officer with 3rd Bn, 5th Bde, 2nd MiTT, along with an interpreter discuss ops with an IA soldier.
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Signing generates business opportunities in Iraq
FOB KALSU - Cummins, Inc. signed a letter with reps from the Iskandariyah Industrial Complex, Sept. 29 to potentially bring a power-generator repair facility to Iraq's Babil Province.
"This op will certainly help in some small rate to diversify the local economy, will put some people to work, and will be another small step toward the rebuilding of Iraq," said Dennis Heathfield, managing dir. for Cummins' Middle East Distribution dept.
Task Force IBSO, a U.S. Dept. of Defense asset that promotes investors in Iraq, also signed the letter to help bring Cummins in partnership with 2 state companies at the IIC. In addition to these 4, the Modern Iraqi Co. for Trading Agencies will soon sign the letter.
"The security environment in the Iskandariyah area and the Babil Province area is at a point right about now that we can't miss this opportunity to really have private investors and companies come in," said Brig. Gen. Jefforey Smith, MND - Center Dep. Comm. Gen. for Support.
Cummins, a corp. that specializes in fuel, filtration, emission and power generation systems, saw those very security gains as a chance to do business with these Iraqi companies. "(Another) thing that will come out as this study develops is other companies ... will see the steps that Cummins is making inside of Iraq, and I think (it) will help other companies follow suit," Smith added.
If the IIC and Cummins decide to go forward with their intent, the repair facility will provide maintenance for approx. 3,000 power generators across Iraq, many of which are used by CF.
Dennis Heathfield discusses steps to bring a generator repair facility to Iraq's Babil province. (Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret)
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Video Available: Broadcast package on Logistics Training Advisory Teams
CAMP TAJI - A broadcast package about the training Logistics Training Advisory Teams receive at the Phoenix Academy is now available. LTAT teams are a critical element in the building of IA logistics capabilities. The package includes an overview of the program and interviews with key IA and U.S. Army logistics partners.
The video entitled "Academy empowers Iraq" is located on the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System website at: http://www.dvidshub.net/commands/30 or http://www.dvidshub.net/ keywords "academy empowers Iraq". For the broadcast quality version of this video, please contact the Media Relations Staff with DVIDS at 678-421-6612 or e-mail [email protected] .
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MND-B Soldiers detain suspected criminals in Rashid
BAGHDAD - At approx. 2:30 p.m. Sept. 29, Soldiers from Co D, 1st Bn, 22nd Inf Regt, attached to the 7th Sqdrn, 10th Cav Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, detained an individual after he made threats to several Iraqi citizens in the Zubaida community. After searching the area, Co. B Soldiers detained 2 individuals believed to have info about the weapons.
A patrol from Co. A, 4th Bn., 64th Armor Regt., attached to the 1st BCT, 4th ID, responded to a tip and detained a Special Groups criminal at approx. 3 a.m., Sept. 30 in the Bayaa area of Rashid in southern Baghdad. The detainee is wanted for transporting illegal weapons and murder.
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MND-B Soldiers, ISF find weapons cache, detain suspected criminals
FOB FALCON - Sept. 30 in southern Baghdad's Rashid district, Soldiers from Co A, 1st Bn, 22nd Inf Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, and Iraqi NP discovered 32 60 mm mortar rounds, 5 81 mm mortar rounds, 2 grenades, 5 anti-personnel RPGs and an anti-armor RPG at approx. 1:30 p.m. in the Hayy Aamel neighborhood of the Rashid district.
Soldiers from HHD, 1st BCT, 4th ID, detained a suspected criminal who is believed to be associated with an IED cell, in an op at approx. 7:30 p.m. in the Masafee community in southern Baghdad.
Soldiers of Co. C, 4th Bn., 64th Armor Regt., attached to 1st BCT, 4th ID, conducted an op in the Saydiyah community of Rashid at approx. 8:15 p.m. and detained a suspected criminal wanted by CF and ISF.
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Officials open Al Naitakeen school for girls in Baghdad's Al Amin area
FOB RUSTAMIYAH - Schoolgirls, their parents and New Baghdad govt officials celebrated the opening of the Al Naitakeen primary school for girls, Sept. 29 in the eastern Baghdad area of Al Amin.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to commemorate the opening of the school, which caters to underprivileged girls, which will open its doors for students and teachers to begin a new school year in October.
When school starts, the day begins at 8 a.m. and children go home at 3 p.m. Sadah, the English teacher at Al Naitakeen, said the school is a nice building and although everything is not yet in place, the students are not going to express displeasure. "They just aren't accustomed to such amenities," expressed Sadah. "And as long as they are learning, they won't ever complain."
Several students who were in attendance expressed how happy they were to have a place to learn and to receive their education.
Construction on the school began in March but was disrupted a few times due to extremist activity in the area. However, work on the school promptly resumed when Iraqi Security and CF cleaned up the neighborhood.
The Iraqi SF and CF were thanked for their diligence in providing security.
Students of Al Naitakeen all-girls school line up to sing for and offer thanks.
(Army photo by Sgt. Jeremy Todd)
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On the Level
Army Sgt. Alfred Osorio speaks with Iraqi children while maintaining a security perimeter for his plt while in Ula Market in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, Sept. 24, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to Task Force 1st Bn, 6th Inf Regt, Charlie 1st Bn, 35th Armored Regt HQ Plt.
Air Force photos by Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young.
Over the Top
Army Staff Sgt Allan Triplett tests his muscles during an arm wrestling competition while bonding with local Iraqis outside an eatery in Ula Market in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, Sept. 24, 2008. Triplett is also assigned to 1st Bn, 6th Inf Regt.
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