Dear Interested Reader,
Included is a story of terrorists detonating an IED on a main water line in Baghdad. Hopefully, this shows that our troops shouldn't be pulled out until a secure and stable Iraq can be assured. Wasit province is now under provincial Iraqi control. Iraqi firemen receive EMT training at the Tikrit Police Academy, as Iraqi and American firefighters train together for airfield protection. 1,300 SoI are expected to begin training as IP. CF trains IP to patrol independently in Basra.
Joanna
__________________________________
Nov. 2, 2008
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Wasit now under Provincial Iraqi Control
FOB DELTA - Wasit province became the 13th of 18 Iraqi provinces to be handed over to Provincial Iraqi Control in a ceremony in al-Kut, Oct. 29.
"We came to the position that we are fully prepared to take responsibility of the security in the province and that made the dream of Wasit come true," said Dr. al-Rubaie, Iraq National Security Advisor.
CF will remain in the area to support the local govt and will transition to an over watch posture further away from populated cities and centers, as warranted by safer conditions.
The improvements in security came through the partnership with CF. The 214th Fires Bde and then the 41st Fires Bde partnered with the IP, 32nd IA Bde and 3rd Region Border Bde, providing training and equipment to professionalize the Iraqi forces.
Wasit Gov. Tarfah and Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, sign the Wasit Memorandum of Understanding transferring security responsibilities of Wasit to the provincial govt and Iraqi SF.
(Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson)
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Iraqi Firemen receive EMT training
TIKRIT - An atmosphere of nervous excitement rattled inside a small group of Salah ad Din Firemen as they learned to both take and administer an intravenous injection, Oct. 27.
The IV training was just a small part of the rigorous 3 week Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course the Iraqi Firemen were enthusiastically taking part in at the Tikrit Police Academy. "This program is designed to give these Iraqi Firemen, the first responders, the medical knowledge they'll need to help save lives," said Sgt. Maj. Napoleon Noguera, Chief of Medical NCO-in-charge, Task Force Iron.
The 24 Salah ad Din Firemen who participated in the pilot training are the first to attend this new course.
The medical course lead by an Iraqi instructor focused on life saving techniques such as, C.P.R., stabilizing spinal injuries, head trauma and IV treatment.
What makes this course unique from others is that while Coalition Soldiers do provide their expertise in how to administer medical treatment, this course is primarily going to be Iraqis training Iraqis, said Sgt 1st Class James Bailey, a senior medical NCO with Task Force Iron. "They absolutely loved it," Bailey said, moved by the student's excitement. "They've shown a willingness to learn, get involved and fully take advantage of the opportunity they are being given in this class," said Noguera.
An Iraqi Firemen receives training on how to administer an IV.
(Army photos by Spc. Ryan Elliott)
Sgt 1st Class James Bailey, demonstrates how to give an IV to a class of eager, Iraqi Firemen.
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Terrorists target potable water pipeline
BAGHDAD - Terrorists detonated an IED on a main water line in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad disrupting water service to hundreds of thousands of Baghdad residents, Oct. 30.
Personnel from the Belidiyah, Baghdad City Water Authority, and the Iraqi SF quickly responded to explosion, secured the scene and have started repairs. Officials estimate service will be restored by Oct 31, though most residents will experience a loss of water pressure.
"This cowardly attack against the water supply of the civilian population shows how desperate the criminals are," said Maj. John Gossart, EO, 3rd BCT, 4th ID. "Because of the strength of the Iraqi SF, the terrorists have resorted to attacking innocent citizens and their livelihood. These terrorists will be disappointed to see that the Belidiyah will restore services quickly and that the IA will find those responsible," Gossart said.
MND - Baghdad Soldiers stand ready to assist the GOI to supply drinking water, if requested to do so.
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Coalition trains IP to patrol independently
BASRA - Once, the sight of IP patrolling the streets of Musayyib meant trouble. Their sight used to indicate someone in the area was about to be arrested. Now they walk the streets to build a relationship with the people and show them they are here to keep the streets safe.
"The IPs, who are a part of this newly formed team, are very proud of their jobs and take their positions very seriously," said Sgt. 1st Class Levares Jackson, a plt sgt working directly with the Musayyib IP.
Musayyib is the first city in the district to create an active patrolling force with its IP forces who are now training with Jackson and his Soldiers from 1st Plt, Co C, 3rd Bn, 7th Inf Regt, 4th BCT, 3rd ID.
The problem for Musayyib until Sept. was the lack of manpower to sustain a 24-hour patrolling op, and maintain all of the checkpoints throughout the city, the personal security detachment ops and station taskings.
Major Ahmed, the Musayyib IP chief, identified several months ago that having a patrolling force was the next key step in securing the population of his city, and building the IP to the next level. At the time, he began working extensively with his sgt maj. and the CF to begin operating the IP checkpoints more efficiently.
On these patrols, the Coalition Plt. takes the patrol force to different neighborhoods and walks through the area to interact with the people. Each IP in the patrol team is paired up with a U.S. Soldier, ensuring they receive guidance and mentorship. The purpose is to get the people comfortable with the idea of the IP patrolling through their neighborhoods. Historically, if there was an IP patrol coming through a neighborhood, there was a good chance the patrol was there to arrest someone or conduct a raid. Now the IP are also going through their neighborhoods to ensure people are safe.
Recently, the patrol teams met Hayder Thabit, Belladiyah director, to speak with him about concerns people in some of the neighborhoods are having. He was so impressed with the work the IP are doing, he gave them his personal cell phone number so they could call him directly to work out issues together, Jackson said.
During a recent patrol, the IP and Soldiers moved to the al-Dobe neighborhood of Musayyib to hand out water filters to families in the area. This was the 3rd water filter handout patrol they have done together.
Sgt. 1st Class Levares Jackson conducts a patrol with an IP.
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More than 600 SoI arrive for IP training
BAGHDAD - More than 600 SoI began in-processing Oct. 29 at the Al Furat Iraqi Police Training Center.
As SoI begin the transition into Iraqi SF, these SoIs are officially signed in as IP recruits and will begin a 4-week basic recruit training course to become IP. The class registration will continue through the upcoming days and is expected to register and accept approx. 1,300 SoI to the course.
An SoI leader from the Karadah District was also in attendance and provided valuable assistance during the in-processing tasks. "I came today to ensure my representative (SoIs) were in the right place as they get ready to start training, said Mr. Salon Hason. "I work with the CF in my District as a SoI facilitator, and am very happy for the SoIs that will be starting official IP training."
The SoI program was organized by CF in recent years, but the GOI assumed responsibility over the SoI program, Oct. 1 in order to integrate the SoIs into the ISF.
A SoI leader (right), explains the registration and in-processing procedures to one of the SoIs from Taji. (Army photo by Lt. Col. Michael Indovina)
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Iraqi, American Firefighters Combine Forces for Airfield Protection
AF Master Sgt. John Bell, center, and AF Staff Sgt. Dale Catlett, right, work with Iraqi firefighters on a combined training exercise aimed at developing American and Iraqi cooperation in the event of an aircraft fire.
AF photo and story by Master Sgt. Brian Davidson.
NEW AL MUTHANA AIR BASE — As senior govt leaders hammer out a new Status of Forces Agreement that will set the path for future American and Iraqi military policies, a group of American and Iraqi firefighters have already developed a working relationship that protects people, structures and aircraft here at Baghdad Int'l Airport.
U.S. Air National Guard firefighters from the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engr Sqdrn are working with Iraqi AF firefighters from New al Muthana Air Base, learning how to collaborate to protect life and property in the event of any type of ground or in-flight emergency.
The most recent training paired the American and Iraqi firefighters in an exercise where they practiced the procedures for rescuing the flight crew from a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft in the event of a fire in the cargo hold.
Working firefighting activities at an airport offers a unique set of challenges and dangers as compared to a regular city fire dept., said Chief Master Sgt. John Cinquemani, who is deployed from the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in N.Y. where he serves as the full-time fire chief for the Guard base, as well as Stewart Int'l Airport. With more than 37 years as a firefighter and 23 years as a fire chief, Cinquemani understands those challenges and dangers, and pushes both the American and Iraqi firefighters to learn how to work together.
To that end, the chief is planning weekly training and exercises that will encompass a vast range of crisis scenarios and push the firefighters to perform as a seamless team. “If we have an emergency on the Iraqi AF side of the airfield or involving an Iraqi aircraft, then they will take the lead and we will back them up,” he said. “If it involves an American aircraft, they have our backs—and it takes constant training be ready.”
“When you are dealing with an aircraft fire, there are lots of other things to consider including the fact that you have to work very quickly—not only to save lives but because it’s a three-dimensional environment and there are always going to be other activities around the emergency area, and multiple aircraft overhead that are waiting to land,” said SSgt. Jason Ankenbauer, 447th ECES firefighter, who is deployed from the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif.
“The Iraqi AF firefighters are obviously very proud of their accomplishments, and every step we take with them in training is another step toward their capability to take over all of the military emergency services activities here,” Cinquemani said. “Each of their accomplishments also brings them one step closer to becoming a fully independent and operational Air Force.”
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Balcony Seat
Army Sgt. Patrick Heyman pulls guard on the rooftop of an IP station while his unit, the 3rd ACR's Troop G, conducts a recon patrol in Hammam Al Alill, Oct. 28, 2008.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. JoAnn S. Makinano.
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House Call
Army Sgt. William Allen, center, a medic assigned to the 3rd ACR's 2nd Sqdrn, gives a medical exam to an ailing Iraqi man in Hammam Al Alill, Oct. 28, 2008.
AF photo by Staff Sgt. JoAnn S. Makinano.
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