Dear Interested Reader,
Co. C, 2nd Bn dog teams conduct a combined security patrol. The 1st Sust Bde transfers authority to the 10th in a ceremony at Camp Taji. Japan ends their mission in Iraq. In Erbil, Kurdistan's P and other guests attended the Int'l school of Chouiefat's opening ceremony. AQI cell leader detained, while the IED fight is being won in Ninewa province. In Afghanistan, England's Royal Marines offer up an insightful story of trying to negotiate peace with former Taliban enemies.
Joanna
______________________________
Dec. 9, 2008
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
MND-B dog team conducts combined patrol with Soldiers, NPs
FOB FALCON -
SSgt. Christopher Ogle, a MP dog handler, leads "Liaka," a Dutch Shepherd, along the streets of the Hadar community,
during a mission with Co C, 2nd Bn, 4th Inf Regt, attached to the 1st BCT, 4th ID, and Iraqi NP on a combined security patrol, Nov. 29 in southern Baghdad's Rashid district.
(Navy photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Todd Frantom)
"Max," a Belgian Malinois assigned to Sgt. Kyle Harris, a MP and dog handler, watches a SoI security guard hand over his weapon to a MND - Baghdad Soldier.
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Tips lead SOI, IP, MND-B Soldiers to weapons caches near Baghdad
BAGHDAD - SoI, IP and Soldiers with Co A, 1st Bn, 14th Inf Regt, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID, seized 3 weapons and munitions caches in the greater Baghdad area, Dec. 6. The caches consisted of a AK-47 rifle and 10 full mags, 51 57 mm mortars, 5 60 mm mortars, an anti-personnel mine, a RPG launcher and 6 RPG warheads.
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Sustainment Brigades conduct transfer of authority
BAGHDAD - The 1st Sust Bde transferred authority to the 10th Sust Bde during a ceremony at Camp Taji, Dec. 6. In the last 15 months, 1st Sust. Bde. Soldiers issued more than 200 million gallons of fuel, produced more than 12 million cases of bottled water, issued more than 6.6 million rounds of ammo and executed more than 7,500 combat logistics patrols. They also partnered with IA 3rd line maintenance facilities and the Iraqi Gen. Transportation Regt assisting in the IA's drive towards logistical self-sustainment.
"As we return to Fort Riley and the Big Red One," said Col Kevin O'Connell, cmdr. 1st Sust. Bde, "I think we've lived up to the 1st Inf Div's motto of 'No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great - duty first.'"
While one bde departs, another arrived to assume the critical mission in and around Baghdad. Col. Mark E. Drake, the 10th Sust. Bde. cmdr., said that his unit was honored and humbled to join the 3rd ESC team. Drake also said his unit was "postured and ready" to provide "relentless and uncompromising logistics" sustainment support to the warfighter.
"We will be at the decisive point every day, steadfast and loyal," Drake said.
Members of the honor guard included Soldiers from the 1st and 10th Sust. Bde. and also one Soldier from the Iraqi Gen. Transportation Regt.
(Army photos by Sgt. Alex Snyder)
Col. Kevin O'Connell and Command Sgt. Maj. Frank G. Cardoza, both with the 1st Sust Brigade, case their unit's colors.
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Japan ends mission in Iraq
BAGHDAD - The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force held an end of mission ceremony at Al Faw Palace, Dec. 6 to commemorate the conclusion of their ops in Iraq with CF.
Japan showed its support to the mission with a military force of more than 600 soldiers supporting OIF. The JGSDF was stationed in the southern city of Samawah. They supplied water, rebuilt infrastructures to include schools and roads, provided medical services, and transported humanitarian aid materials for Iraqis in Samawah.
The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, the aviation segment of Japan's military, provided 3 C-130s at Ali Al Salem, Kuwait, airlifting humanitarian aid and reconstruction equipment to airports in Iraq. Airlifting activities in Iraq began in March 2004. The JASDF has conducted more than 800 flights, transporting approximately 46,000 passengers and more than 600 tons of cargo in missions between Baghdad and southern Iraq.
Iraq's continued security improvement has allowed many CF to withdraw as Iraqi SF take over security ops, and Iraq asserts itself as a sovereign nation.
Maj. Gen. Michael Ferriter, dep. comm. gen. - ops, MNC - Iraq, gives a gift of a plaque with the MNC-I seal to Lt. Col. Takenori Kato, Japanese liaison officer, MNF - Iraq.
(Army photos by Spc. Eric J. Glassey)
Lt. Col. Takenori Kato, Japanese liaison officer, MNF - gives a gift of a Japanese painted plate to Maj. Gen. Ferriter, dep. comm. gen. - ops, MNC - Iraq.
Capt. Hashimoto, C2, MNC - Iraq, salutes Maj. Gen. Ferriter, after receiving an Army Commendation Medal.
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ISC dedication delivers hope, promise, change to Iraqis
ERBIL - Kurdistan's PM, Barzani, along with Kurdistan Minister of Interior, Kareem Sinjar, MND-North Dep. Comm. Gen., Brig. Gen. Robert Brown and other honorable guests attended the Int'l School of Chouiefat's (ISC) dedication ceremony in Erbil, Iraq, Dec. 4.
The Int'l School of Chouiefat opened its doors to more than 2,500 students in Aug; ranging from grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The ISC project took more than 18 months to complete and will inspire and bring hope to the Iraqi people, said Mustafa.
Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, Nechirva Barzani, Kurdistan PM, and Samir Aram, gen. dir. of Froble, prepare to cut the ceremonial ribbon.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle Richardson)
Students performed a song for the Kurdistan prime minister and honored guests.
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MND-B Soldiers detain AQI cell leader
BAGHDAD - At approx. 7:30 p.m., Dec. 6, Soldiers from Troop A, 4th Sqdrn, 10th Cav Regt, operationally attached to the 2nd BCT, 1st ID, detained an individual suspected of transporting rockets into the Ameriyah district of northwest Baghdad.
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Iraqi Security, CF winning the IED fight in Ninawa province
MOSUL - IEDs in Iraq are still considered the weapon of choice for terrorists. However, Iraqi Security and CF operating in Ninawa province are well on their way to winning the IED fight in Mosul, the third largest city in Iraq.
Through a collective effort, IED attacks have decreased to significantly over the months. Military officials in Mosul say the decrease is due in part to the ISF improved capability in finding and reducing IEDs.
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Iraqi NP confiscate illegal weapons in Baghdad neighborhood
By Sgt. Jerry Saslav
JSS SULIEKH - Dec. 3, acting on a tip from sources indicating Special Groups' criminals were using Gray'at as a safe haven and a place to store weapons, NPs from the Sayafiyah Bn, set out to seize the illegal weapons.
Soldiers from Btry A, 3rd Bn, 29th FAR, 3rd BCT, 4th ID, along with the Sayafiyah Bn NPTT attached to the 1st CAB, 68th Armor Regt, 3rd BCT, 4th ID., and a military dog team provided assistance, but it was the Iraqi's op.
"By treating the civilians and the local population properly, we'll be able to build mutual trust and good relationships with them," said Lt. Col. Abdullah, the Sayafiyah Bn EO.
A total of 25 illegally owned AK-47s, an illegal sub-machine gun, 4 rifles and 2 pistols were confiscated.
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The Observer, Sunday December 7 2008
British Army starts negotiations in Helmand
By David Smith in Lashkar Gah, Helmand, Afghanistan
Officers say there will be no settlement until enemy forces can be persuaded to change sides
Royal Marines urge a village elder in Lashkar Gah to attend a community meeting with them.
Photograph: Sean Smith
British army officers are in face-to-face negotiations with former Taliban enemies who were shooting at them just weeks ago, as pressure grows for a Northern Ireland-style political settlement in Afghanistan. The attempt to persuade militants to negotiate is vital because it is impossible to win the war through military means alone, according to the cmdr. of the British battle group in the south of Helmand province.
Lt-Col Alan Richmond, of the Queen's Dragoon Guards, based in Garmsir district, said: 'Undoubtedly there have been former Taliban at quite a lot of the shuras [community councils] that I've attended, and others. For all we know, there could even be Taliban there. We have opportunities to talk to them and try to convince them that reconciliation is the way ahead."
'Certainly the district gov. in Garmsir has his own reconciliation programme and has actively encouraged Taliban, or former Taliban, to pin their colours to the govt's mast. A political settlement is the way we're going to achieve full success in this theatre. It's an absolutely critical part of the whole programme and needs to be done at every level - local, district, regional and also national level.' Asked if he would be willing to sit opposite men who had shot at him, Richmond said: 'I'm pretty certain I already have. I've certainly sat with some pretty dodgy characters.'
However, attempts to engage the Taliban have been criticised as a betrayal of efforts to establish democracy. Last month the Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, defied Washington by offering asylum to the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, if he was willing to negotiate peace. The British ambassador, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, has acknowledged that it is time to stem the insurgency with negotiations.
Richmond, who has overseen an improvement in security in Garmsir, said that local leaders were taking the initiative in encouraging the Taliban to lay down weapons, change sides and share secret info. 'There have been cases where we have met former Taliban who have been brought in by the district gov. or village elders, who have themselves guaranteed that this individual has turned the corner, or will not actively or even tacitly support the Taliban. 'Indeed, in some cases all the elders have written out a guarantee which they have all signed or put their thumb print on, so we can hold some to account if those individuals break that promise.'
Military sources in Afghanistan describe the Taliban as composed of 3 tiers: a hard core of ideologically driven militants, a 2nd level pursuing overlapping agendas such as feuds or drug trafficking, and a bottom layer of footsoldiers motivated by pragmatic reasons, such as money. Both the 2nd and 3rd tiers are seen as vulnerable to being 'turned'.
Asked what would represent victory, he replied: 'I don't think there really is victory. This is not like some decisive old-fashioned battlefield. There isn't anything to say "We have won". We have to do enough to set the right circumstances for the locals to be able to reach their own political solution. If we can create the conditions where these people may wish to talk to each other, or there are enough of the Taliban who wish to come over and be reconciled - the best chance their country has got - then I think we've done what we've set out to do.'
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