Dear Interested Reader,
The art show at the Doura Com. College was also enjoyed by the 4th ID's 1st BCT. IA with the help from 2nd IA Div MiTT presented a gift to the famed mosque of the Prophet Jonah. Nice pics of the 3rd BCT, 4th ID patrolling northern Baghdad. Crocker and Odierno issue statement on ratified security agreement. R-3 Water Treatment Plant brings clean water for 2 million people of Sadr City. The Azerbaijanis end their mission at Haditha Dam and turn security over to the GoI. School opening is start of growth and prosperity in Ghazaliya. In Afghanistan, CF disrupt road-side bomb cell in Ghazni.
Joanna
_____________________________
Dec. 05, 2008
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Embracing Culture at the Art Show
A U.S. Army Soldier and an Iraqi boy enjoy the singing of Iraqi students from the Khartoon Elementary School during the grand opening art show celebration at the Doura Community College, in southern Baghdad, Nov. 26, 2008. The Soldier is assigned to the 4th ID's 2nd Bn, 4th Inf Regt, 1st BCT.
Navy photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Todd Frantom
Army Capt. Brett Walker looks at art work created by local Iraqi students from Khartoon Elementary School.
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Iraqi Army presents gift to Nabi Younis mosque
MOSUL - An IA comm. gen. presented a replica great whale's tooth to Nabi Younis, the famed mosque of the Prophet Jonah, Nov. 30. Maj. Gen. Kareem, Iraqi cmdr., presented the gift to the mosque's Imam, who is also president of the Sunni Clerics in Mosul.
The replica great whale's tooth is eight inches and capped with a gold-colored top. It was presented in a wood and glass display case with a certificate in Arabic script, inscribed to the people of Mosul, to inspire those who view the artifact to both be reminded of God's concern for the people of Ninewa and request their prayers for the peace, said Col. David Brown, 2nd IA Div. MiTT cmdr., who helped make the gift possible.
Kareem said that although his SF are fighting in the city, they can also work for peace in this historic place. The Imam said he desired the Nabi Younis mosque to be a place for many faiths. The whale's tooth will remain on display in the mosque, which is also believed to house Jonah's tomb.
Col. David Brown, and Maj. Gen. Kareem, present the replica great whale's tooth and certificate to the Imam of the Nabi Younis mosque, the famed mosque of the Prophet Jonah, believed to contain his tomb.
A replica great whale's tooth and certificate.
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MND-B Soldiers provide security while patrolling northern Baghdad
SHA'AB -
Sgt. Eric Rutledge, a dismount with the Command Security Detachment, 3rd BCT, 4th ID, provides security while on a mission in northern Baghdad's Sha'ab neighborhood, Dec. 3.
(Army photos by Sgt. Zach Mott)
Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey (right), senior enlisted leader for 3rd BCT, speaks to an Iraqi shop owner.
Sgt. Steve Culley, team leader with the Command Security Detachment, pounds fists with an Iraqi boy.
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Crocker, Odierno Statement on Ratified Security Agreement
U.S. EMBASSY BAGHDAD — We welcome today’s ratification by Iraq’s Presidency Council of the Strategic Framework Agreement and Security Agreement. With this action and following an exchange of diplomatic notes, these agreements will become official and will enter into force on January 1, 2009.
The U.S. Embassy and the MNF-Iraq will begin immediately to implement these 2 agreements with our Iraqi partners. We will undertake initiatives to strengthen our cooperation in the fields of economics, energy, health, the environment, education, culture, and law enforcement.
The U.S. will support Iraq's request to the UN Security Council to continue protection of Iraqi assets. We look forward, under these agreements, to the continued reduction in U.S. forces and the normalization of bilateral relations as two sovereign and co-equal nations.
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Clean Water Flows for Millions in Sadr City
By Kendal Smith
Gulf Region Central District
BAGHDAD — “I am very happy for the 2 million people of Sadr City,” said Iraqi Engr Aqeel Lami of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
“I have been working here at the R-3 Water Treatment Plant for more than 3 years, since the start of the project. It’s the first in Iraq, fully automatic and with American standards of best quality,” Lami continued. “We meet the people in the streets of Sadr City and they're very happy. They feel that we're interested in them and their health. We are very proud of the success of this project.”
“The plant location came as a result of a govt study on water pressure and supply,” said USACE water expert, Simeon Francis, who has been with the plant as a technical expert from its beginning with USAID. “There is simply not enough water to Sadr City from the Kharkh and Shark-Dijilih Water Treatment Plants for the area.” Experts decided to add a plant on the northern fringe of Sadr City to remedy that, he said.
It is currently providing 27 sectors in Sadr City with clean potable water - sectors that historically have had no centrally distributed water. That output equates to clean, quality water for a total of 1.5 million people in Sadr City and Baghdad, Francis said. The plant is operating at 100% capacity right now. It’s a great success story for USACE,” said project engr. Roland Belew. The plant will employ 150 people for operations, maintenance and management, Belew explained.
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Azerbaijanis end mission at Haditha Dam
CAMP RIPPER - CF thanked soldiers assigned to the 1st Azerbaijani Peacekeeping Co. for their service in Iraq at a ceremony held on Al Asad Airbase Dec. 3, as the Azerbaijanis ended their mission in Iraq. The ceremony featured the Azerbaijani, Iraqi and American national anthems, a brief gift presentation and the casing of the Azerbaijani colors.
Azerbaijani forces began their mission in Iraq when a co. arrived Aug. 15, 2003 to guard the Haditha Dam. Through 11 rotations, more than 1,000 Azerbaijanis served honorably in Iraq, providing security for the dam, the most critical piece of infrastructure in western Anbar province.
During their tenure, the dam incurred no large-scale attacks and continued to develop as an integral source of Iraqi power. Thanks to the Azerbaijanis' efforts, control of the dam was transferred to the GoI this afternoon.
"The victory story about the Azerbaijanis is that peace is breaking out in al-Anbar. Peace is breaking out in Iraq, and the Iraqi SF, in this case the IA, are taking control of the dam. They are on those positions now," said Col Patrick Malay, the comm. officer of Camp Pendleton-based RCT 5.
Azerbaijan Soldiers stand in formation during ceremony.
(Marine Corps photo by GSgt. Jason Bortz)
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School opening offers hope for children of Ghazaliya
BAGHDAD - The day was bright - as were the smiles on the faces of the families and children in attendance at the opening of Nahwaran School in the Ghazaliya district of northwest Baghdad, Nov. 25.
With more than 100 people in attendance, the event began with local IP, IA and teachers handing out backpacks, notebooks and pencils to the school children.
The talk among the Ghazaliya citizens present was of the growth and changes that have taken place, allowing such a happy event to occur, which was echoed by the MND - Baghdad Soldiers present. "The ceremony went really well," said 1st Lt. Thomas Wilson, fire support officer, 5th Sqdrn, 4th Cav Regt, 2nd HBCT, 1st ID. "It was great to see the IP, IA and the SoI come together for a great event that shows the movement forward in this community."
This school is only one part, albeit a very significant part, of the beautification of the muhallah. The attendees were excited about the progress the school embodies. "I was impressed by the facilities that the school now has, to include a computer room. It is a model for the standard of what schools should be in Ghazaliya," said Maj. Thomas Downey, civil affairs team chief, 5-4 Cav. Regt.
Lt. Col. John Richardson IV, cmdr., 5th Sqdrn, speaks with a local dignitary.
School children attending the Nahwaran School opening, smile after receiving backpacks.
Children attending the Nahwaran School opening smile as they await the beginning of the ceremony.
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Iraqis, Romanians, Americans Build Artillery Skills Together
By Maj. Chad Carroll
Iraqi Soldiers, the 4th BCT, 1st Cal Div, Romanian Soldiers prepare to conduct indirect fire observation training in the Dhi Qar province, Nov. 25, to develop their artillery and mortar capabilities.
COB ADDER — The troops fired rocket-assisted projectile systems from COB Adder, while an observation team from each of the 3 units observed the impacts from a safe distance.
“This was a great initial step for the IA to build their indirect fire capability,” said Maj. Christopher Robbins, Long Knife Bde asst ops officer. “They are ready to field their own artillery and mortar systems.”
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Blackanthem Military News
Coalition forces disrupt road-side bomb cell in Ghazni
By US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan - CF killed 3 armed Taliban militants and detained one suspected Taliban militant during an op to disrupt the Taliban's terrorist network in Ghazni province, Dec 2.
In Andar District, located 200 km southwest of Kabul, CF targeted a known Taliban militant believed to coordinate and direct the Taliban's terrorist activities in Ghazni. He is also responsible for the recent targeting of GIRoA officials, CF and local Afghans who work for and with the legitimate Afghan govt, using roadside bombs and committing other malicious acts that indiscriminately kill and harm innocent civilians.
As the force searched the compound, the 3 militants, who were armed with AK-47s, hand grenades and other military equipment, attempted to engage the force, and were killed. One other suspected militant was detained without incident.
A search of the militants and compound revealed multiple AK-47s, hand grenades other military equipment.
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