Dear Interested Reader,
Docs from 41st Fires Bde visit health clinic in Dujaylah. The 18th Inf Regt helps make improvements to Shulla Library. Economic improvements show promise with stronger support from the private sector. IP leaders and 2nd HBCT discuss Election Day security. The 17th IA Div celebrated the rebirth of the IA. Iraqi Boy and Girl Scoots meet Texas-Georgia Scouts via VTC. Liz Burg, a project engr. for the U.S. Army Corps of Engrs in Balad, was selected as one of the 2009 USACE "Top Five New Faces in Engineering." In Afghanistan, CF target Haqqani network in Paktiya.
Joanna
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Jan. 13, 2009
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Docs visit health clinic in Dujaylah
FOB DELTA - Doctors from the 41st Fires Bde Cooperative Medical Engagement Team visited the Dujaylah Health Clinic to assess the known challenges in healthcare faced by the Iraqi Ministry of Health, Jan. 8.
The visit is part of op Gunner Med, a joint medical civil-military op between the Wasit Dir. Gen. of Health and the 41st Fires Bde., designed to restore the medical capacity in Wasit province, and to bring clinics up to the regional health care standard.
"Cooperative medical engagements allow us to experience the challenges first hand that our Iraqi partners face every day in providing healthcare," said Col. Italo Bastianelli, 41st Fires Bde surgeon. "We address these challenges with process improvement projects in the areas of infrastructure, equipment and medical education, in order to build and sustain medical capacity in Wasit."
One of the problems mentioned by an Iraqi woman waiting to be seen, was that there are no female doctors at the Dujaylah clinic, and for emergencies, people have to travel 20 kilometers west to the hospital in Kut. "Women's health is one of many problematic areas facing the Iraqi healthcare system," said Bastianelli. Recent initiatives include sponsorship of the mobile health clinic allowing rural areas access to healthcare with a priority focus on women's health and wellness, a maternal-child conference held last November, and sponsorship of midwifery training for women from rural communities.
"We also help the clinics with facility improvements, for example some of these facilities don't have good labs, guard shacks, a/c or drinkable water, and we're able to help by identifying those things," said Sgt. 1st Class Shane Waite, Surgeon Cell ops sergeant.
The cooperative medical engagement also helps to build a rapport with the staff at each clinic, said Sgt. 1st Class Shane Waite. "Most of these patients are already being treated by this Iraqi doctor here at this clinic, and they get reassurance that the Iraqi doctors are doing the right thing when they see the American doctors agreeing with a diagnosis," said Waite.
"Iraqi doctors are well trained but their ability to provide care is limited because of the lack of resources," said Bastianelli. "Security has improved which has stopped the mass exodus of physicians and the medical conditions are improving through the efforts of the Ministry of Health and CF," said Bastianelli. "Now is the time to recruit these physicians back to their home country."
Dr. Abdulridah and Col. Italo Bastianelli, look over a patient’s info. U.S. and Iraqi doctors saw over 250 patients at the clinic.
(Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson)
An Iraqi patient waits as Capt. Nkemakonam Okpokwasili, Co. C, 589th BSB, 41st Fires Bde, looks in his personal digital asst. for prescription info.
Pfc. Serena Wagner, medic with Co. C, escorts a girl to the Dujaylah clinic.
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GOI, MND-B Soldiers make improvements to Shulla Library
BAGHDAD -
Soldiers from the 1st CAB, 18th Inf Regt, 2nd HBCT, 1st ID, speak with workers who are assisting in therenovation of a library in Baghdad's Shulla neighborhood, Jan. 8. The Soldiers were checking on progress at the library and assessing how the GoI and CF can provide further assistance to the project. (Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Whelan)
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Economic improvements show promise in MND-C
CAMP VICTORY - As in many other aspects of the country of Iraq, improvements are visible within its economic structure, and if continued as planned, has nowhere to go but up.
"The security improvement has made it possible for us to grow the economy and build the skills and capacity of both govt officials and Iraqi businessmen," said Lt. Col. Barry Ross, dep. economics team leader, 445th Civil Affairs Detachment.
Economics and governance really go hand-in-hand. If govt officials are qualified and competent they can successfully stimulate economic growth. With a stable govt, investors will trust that their money will grow, and not get lost in a broken system.
"We are doing 2 things with economics in MNC-Center," he said. "We are working with the provincial govts to try to get them some training, to help them build their capacity and skills to attract business and grow the economy; and we are working directly with PRTs and BCTs to try to get business into the economy."
Team Entrepreneur, a team of subject matter experts in entrepreneurship, recently completed an initial tour in Najaf with an ultimate goal of understanding the dynamics of small businesses and entrepreneurship, specifically for southern Iraq to increase employment and grow the job market. Another such project is the Najaf Provincial Investment Committee advisor, who will work through the Najaf PRT to help provide expertise for both short and long term dollar investments.
"There are a couple of other initiatives, with some being from the govt perspective, and others also trying to cover the private end as well," said Ross. "We work with the govt a good bit, but we also need to get the private industry going. Ultimately the more private industry we get here the better it will be."
One successful example is a new dairy factory that recently received a $500,000 private loan from the bank of Baghdad for an expansion project. This project alone will produce 200 to 300 new jobs. So overall, this one project is reaching about 4,000 Iraqis which includes the number of family members supported by these jobs.
"This is why I say private investment is so key," said Ross. "It's not just the number of people actually employed, it is the number of Iraqis that are now feeling satisfied, and have money coming into the house, and don't have to turn to other means such as terrorism to get money to support their family," said Ross. "That is why economics is so important here."
Capt. Eric Yarbrough, Team 420, Co A, 415th CAB team leader, assesses a soap and ghee factory in Amarah Aug. 6, 2008. Ghee is vegetable lard made from date oil.
Team 420, supports 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div., during a market survey in Majar Al Kabir, Aug. 1, 2008.
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IP leaders, 2nd HBCT commander discuss Election Day security
BAGHDAD - Col. Joseph Martin, cmdr., 2nd HBCT, 1st ID, visited local national police stations in northwest Baghdad, Jan. 10 to make sure they were on the same page in securing the population on Iraqi Election Day.
"The security and safety of the people of northwest Baghdad is our number-one concern," he said. "Their (Iraqi SF) success is our success, and we are here to help in any way we can." To facilitate in the protection process, Martin said the Dagger Bde could offer Soldiers and bomb-sniffing K-9 units to lighten the ISF's load.
In each conversation with the 3 leaders, Martin wanted to highlight the efforts the ISF have been putting forth in the planning process for the big day. "We're talking about such a small percentage of the population who are the criminals," Martin said. "We will talk to each other a lot in the next few weeks, to ensure the elections are run smoothly."
1st Lt. Patrick Tanner (left), 2nd HBCT, points to an area on a map in the office of Brig. Gen. Raheem, the chief of police in Baghdad's Mansour district.
(Army photos by Spc. Dustin Roberts)
Col. Joseph Martin speaks to Col. Ra'ad, Salhiya Police Dept dir.
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17th IA Division celebrates Iraqi Army birthday
BAGHDAD - The 17th IA Div celebrated the rebirth of the IA with a ceremony and lunch at their division HQ in Mahmudiyah, Jan. 9.
"I would like to thank the CF. Your support has allowed us to better serve the Iraqi people. We are forever grateful to you," said Iraqi Staff Major Gen. Al-Frejee during a speech to a crowd which included the Mayor of Mahmudiyah, Qada officials, local Sheiks, the Asst. IA Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Dourhee and Soldiers from MND - Baghdad.
When the IA was re-established in 2004, Jan. 6 was set aside as the birthday of Iraq's reborn army. The day-long event closely resembles how their U.S. partner celebrates the birth of their Army with Flag Day on June 14.
Dourhee praised the IA for helping to bring security to the fledgling democracy during his key note speech. "The new IA has conducted itself with honor. We have created enough stability within the cities that is safe for the people we work for - the Iraqi people," said Dourhee.
A meal was immediately served to the attendees after the ceremony followed by soccer matches played by Iraqi Soldiers. "That was a fantastic ceremony and a true representation of the professionalism of the IA," said Lt. Col. Jim Bradford, cmdr. of the 1st CAB, 63rd Armored Regt, which is currently assigned to the 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Div.
Lt. Col Jim Bradford congratulates Staff Maj. Gen. Al-Frejee, on hosting a great IA birthday celebration.
(Army photo by Capt. Jonathan Boyle)
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Iraqi Boy, Girl Scouts meet Texas, Georgia Scouts via VTC
BAGHDAD -
Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, a dep. comm. gen. with 4th ID, talks with of a group of Iraqi Boy and Girl Scouts of the Victory Base Council at the Ironhorse Stadium, Jan. 10. Swan, an Eagle Scout, was a guest speaker during a video teleconference in which Boy and Girl Scouts from Iraq were able to talk to and ask questions of Boy and Girl Scouts from the Fort Hood, Texas, and Augusta, Ga., areas.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Brock Jones)
Brig. Gen. William Grimsley, a dep. comm. gen. of 4th ID, talks with of a group of Iraqi Boy and Girl Scouts, while Scouts from the Fort Hood, Texas, and Augusta, Ga., areas are seen on the screen behind him. Grimsley, an Eagle Scout, was a guest speaker.
Iraqi Boy and Girl Scouts, their volunteer Iraqi and U.S. leaders, and others.
A young Iraqi Boy Scout stands in front of a projector screen, as he talks to a Boy Scout in the U.S.
An Iraqi Boy Scout blows out a burning marshmallow Jan. 10 outside the Ironhorse Stadium, in front of the 4th ID and MND - Baghdad HQ.
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Blackanthem Military News
U.S. engr. in Iraq named one of "Top Five New Faces of Engineering"
By Mike Scheck, Gulf Region North district
Liz Burg, a project engr for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Balad, briefs Mr. Richard Hancock, the Gulf Region Div chief of programs, about the Pipeline Exclusion Zone project.
TIKRIT - A project engr for the USACE Balad Resident Office in Iraq was selected as one of the 2009 USACE "Top Five New Faces in Engineering." Elizabeth Burg, an Army civilian, was selected for the award from among 22 engr nominees by the panel at USACE HQ in Washington, D.C.
Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, USACE cmdr., stressed the accomplishments that led to Burg's selection, referencing her work on coastal hydraulic models and physical structures, and how they are "helping to ensure the safety and welfare of the nation's people, commerce, and natural resources." Van Antwerp commended her design of water systems for a women's ministry complex in Uganda and volunteer work supporting engineering, math, and science education, which are helping build communities and the engineering profession.
According to Burg, the award serves as a validation to her work as an engr. "I feel very honored to have been recognized for this award; it's nice to know that my peers and superiors think I'm doing a good job. My work in Iraq has been very rewarding. Knowing that I am part of something that is positively influencing the future of a nation is pretty incredible. Back home I do research, so hands on construction is something totally different than what I normally do - but I love it. All fields of engineering offer the opportunity to help people and create great change in a very tangible way. It's a very hands-on way to leave your mark and create something to be proud of."
Current projects for Burg in Iraq include a number of Military Construction Projects (MILCON), construction of 2 IP stations and the Pipeline Exclusion Zone project. Co-workers and her immediate supervisors in Balad have no doubt the panel made the right decision on selecting Burg for the award. "Liz is not afraid to bring up tough questions with the contractors, and put herself on the spot when she feels it's the right thing to do," said construction rep Susan Fox.
Frank Scopa, area engr for the Balad office says it is difficult to believe that Burg has only been out of college for 3 years. "Her poise, demeanor and abilities far exceed what her apparent experience level ought to be," he said. "Her contribution as a full member of the project delivery team, belies her relatively short period of time in the construction field. We have come to expect excellent performance from Elizabeth and she is delivering."
A self -admitted "AF brat", Burg graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. She currently attends Mississippi State University, working toward her master's degree in Civil Engineering. Burg started her career with the USACE as a Co-Op student in the Omaha District. After graduation she joined the Engineering Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Lab, in Vicksburg, Miss., where she does physical modeling. She volunteered to deploy, and has been working in the Balad office as a project engr since Nov. 2008.
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U.S. Forces - Afghanistan
Coalition forces target Haqqani network in Paktiya
KABUL, Afghanistan – CF detained 8 suspected Haqqani militants, including the 2 targeted individuals, during an op to disrupt the Haqqani foreign fighter and roadside bomb network in Paktiya province, Dec. 29.
In Shamul District, approx. 135 km south of Kabul City, CF apprehended 2 wanted Haqqani militants believed to traffic foreign fighters into Paktiya to conduct terrorist activities. The targeted militants are also assessed to provide financial and logistical support to the terrorist org.
During the op, CF searched the targeted building finding spools of wire, blasting caps and other roadside bomb making material.
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