Dear Interested Reader,
History is made as ISF take control of JSS Ghazaliyal III. Red Cross helps a soldier see the birth of his child. New river focused force hits waterways and streets for joint op in Basrah. IA soldiers and 890th Engr. Bn develop strong partnership. The 17th IA partnered with the Iron Bde improves maintenance and supply system. Implementation of security agreement is the topic at Kirkuk's Criminal Justice Council. Ongoing repairs to Kirkush NCO Military Academy barracks puts Iraqi new learned skills to use. 25,000 small arms weapons rendered inoperable, and local artists turn scrap parts into sculptures. In Afghanistan, security guards with the help of the NP thwarted an attack on coalition Shindand Airfield.
Joanna
______________________________
Jan. 4, 2009
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
History made as ISF take control of JSS Ghazaliyah III
An Iraqi Soldier and Spc. Anthony Perez of Troop B, raise the Iraqi Flag.
(Army photo by 2nd Lt. Cait Smith)
BAGHDAD - When JSSs across Baghdad were transitioning to Iraqi control, Soldiers from the 5th Sqdrn, 4th Cav Regt, 2nd HBCT, 1st ID did their part by transferring JSS Ghazaliyah III, in Baghdad's Ghazaliyah district, to Iraqi control Jan. 1.
"We will now focus our efforts towards assisting our Iraqi counterparts in order to better prepare the IA to take full control of Ghazaliyah," said 1st Lt. Patrick Howlett.
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. John Richardson IV, the cmdr. of the 5th Sqdn. 4th Cav. Regt., alongside his IA counterpart,
Lt. Col. Abdullah, signed formal documents for the transition of authority from CF to the IA. Once the documents were signed, the group was called to attention and the Soldiers witnessed the raising of the Iraqi Flag by an Iraqi Soldier, with the assistance of Spc. Anthony Perez, Troop B, 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt.
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Red Cross Helps Soldier See Birth of Child
By Spc. Kiyoshi Freeman
Spc. Mario Aguirre witnesses the birth of his daughter, Gabriela, via Web camera, Dec. 15, 2008. (Photo by Spc. Kiyoshi Freeman)
JOINT BASE BALAD — An Arizona National Guardsman recently witnessed the birth of his daughter from halfway around the world here at the Red Cross’ Legacy Room. Opened back in July, the Legacy Room allowed Spc. Mario Aguirre, an artilleryman with the 123rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, to communicate with his wife, who was delivering their second child in Scottsdale, Ariz.
After 16 hours of labor, Aguirre’s wife, Elizabeth, gave birth to Gabriela at Scottsdale-Shea Hospital – and Aguirre was there every step of the way. The Red Cross uses instant messenger services and a webcam to allow Soldiers to experience special, personal events in privacy. “It’s invaluable,” said Michael Patton, the team leader for the Red Cross office here. “If a father or a servicemember gets to witness a special event in their lives that they would normally miss by being deployed – nothing could replace it.”
“It almost feels like you’re there,” Aguirre said. “At least it doesn’t feel like you’re so far away, when you’re actually seeing each other and talking to each other and everything.”
A former Soldier himself, Patton said that he missed the birth of his own child during a deployment, and only saw photographs 3 weeks afterward, when the mail finally got through. “It’s not as good as being there, but it’s the next best thing,” Patton said. “And now [with modern technology] they can sit there and watch it as it happens.”
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New river-focused police force hits waterways, streets for first mission
BASRAH - Three days after graduating a multi-week training course, the first SWAT Technical Response Team (TRT) was thrust into action December with CF, executing a joint op in Basrah.
The river-focused force filled vital over-watch positions, and maintained active security and communications with IP and Army units as well as with Coalition units. "This demonstrates the capability of this force, and how their training prepared them for real-world missions," said a Coalition advisor to the TRT.
The TRT is a new capability for Iraq allowing the police to have a specially trained cadre skilled in the art of maritime and land-based, urban-strike ops. The TRT is targeting smuggling networks and will use watercraft to gain access to areas difficult to reach, said a CF advisor to the TRT.
The region is a patchwork of navigable waterways ranging from rivers and tributaries to man-made canals and vast marshlands. The abundance of waterways coupled with the proximity to the Persian Gulf and Iranian border has IP officers concerned about the smuggling to Iraq's enemies. "Outlaws use the river to hide out and transport weapons from across the border," said the Iraqi Lt in charge of the Basrah TRT.
"Within a month, I've seen leaders emerging within the team, taking responsibility and pushing each other to do better and get stronger ... It's very encouraging," said the Coalition advisor mentoring the TRT.
"We completed the toughest training and became one of the best and most brave within the IP," said the Iraqi officer in charge of the TRT during his address to the class during graduation.
Members from the Basrah SWAT TRT conduct a river patrol training operation in Basrah. The river-focused police force is now responsible for many kms of waterways in the region.
(Photo by AF Capt. Greg Hignite)
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Soldiers of 6th IA Div., 890th Eng. Bn., develop strong partnership
CAMP LIBERTY - The partnership between the IA Soldiers of the 6th IA Div and the Soldiers from the 890th Engr Bn, 926th Engr Bde, has been a continuing development over the course of the bn's deployment. The 2 forces came together for yet another milestone Dec. 27, by working together on route clearance missions.
As the IA becomes more familiar with its route-clearance vehicle, the Badger, it becomes integrated within the 890th Engr. Bn.'s route-clearance formations.
"This is my second time to ride in the Badger," said Cpl. Clifton Fortune, who rode with the 6th IA in the Badger and served as the radio transmitter operator for the formation. "They are very proud to do what they do. They are very professional when on route clearance and you can tell that they are getting more comfortable with the route-clearance missions." Fortune said that although the language barrier can be difficult, the IA and MND-B Soldiers still manage to communicate and work as a team.
The priority is to prepare the IA soldiers for conducting independent ops.
"It's beneficial to see the IA working with us to see how we do things, so, ultimately, they can take command of their own route clearance and their own country," added Sgt. John Carter who serves as a Buffalo arm operator with his crew.
Soldiers from the 6th IA Div check out a possible IED, Dec. 27.
(Army photo by 2nd Lt. Susie Hubbard)
Lt Col. Joe Hargett (left) along with Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Mergenschroer admire the new 168th Engr Bde patch they presented to IA Command Sgt. Maj. Ali, Dec. 27. Soldiers of the 890th Engr Bn, from Gulfport, Miss. are now wearing the new patch.
(Army photo by Sgt. Carmen Guerrero)
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17th Iraqi MTR partners with Iron Brigade to improve maintenance, supply system
BAGHDAD - The 17th IA Div continues on its path to a self-sufficient logistics and maintenance program with a little help from a team of Soldiers from the 47th Forward Support Bn, 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Div.
Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Hagen, Co B, 47th FSB maintenance vehicle supervisor, taught the 17th IA Div Motorized
Transportation Regt, a class on humvee maintenance Dec. 31, at Patrol Base Deason in Mahmudiyah Qada. "I am trying to teach the Iraqi soldiers a preventive maintenance checks and services program," said Hagen. "I want to teach them the proper procedure to troubleshoot and figure out the problem. I also want them to be able to order the part and fix it themselves."
The logistics and maintenance program has long been a fragile area for the IA. Ordering parts is still a difficult for the IA, which can take weeks to get parts through their system. "When we first arrived here, the IA were reluctant to submit an IA request form," said Warrant Officer Julian Prince. "The local economy was their first choice for parts. We have gotten them to put trust in the supply system."
"The training from Sgt. 1st Class Hagen is a benefit for my Soldiers. It helps my Soldiers understand maintenance," said Ahmed. "The humvee is new for us and the system is different, so there is a need for this training."
"There has been a definite improvement in maintenance and training," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lashanda Hill, who serves with the logistics training advisory team embedded with the 17th IA MTR. Hill is partnered with the unit and has advised the unit on the importance of using and trusting the Iraqi supply system. Hill has established a positive working relationship with IA Capt. Sadoon, the ops officer for the 17th IA MTR, which helps the communication process as the combined forces work together.
"Chief Hill is very good," said Sadoon. "Any problem we have, she gives us a solution. She helps and supports with training."
Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Hagen explains how to inspect the transmission of a humvee.
(Army photos by Lt. Col. Wayne Marotto)
IA 1st. Lt. Ahmed (left), a maintenance plt leader for the 17th, and IA jundi Nemir, take apart a humvee transmission.
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Security agreement hot topic at Criminal Justice Council
FOB WARRIOR, KIRKUK - The 4th Kirkuk Criminal Justice Council conference was held at the IP Academy, Dec. 31 to discuss the implementation of the security agreement and its impact on the Kirkuk Province.
The event was significant because it took place on the eve of the effective date for the security agreement, and the IA cmdrs. from the Kirkuk Province were also in attendance, said Capt. Jennifer Venghaus, the command judge advocate for 18th Engr Bde and rule of law specialist for Kirkuk Province. The topics discussed in the conference were implementation of the security agreement, Iraqi jurisdiction on CF troops, arrests and search warrants, and procedures for the IP to detain IA Soldiers.
"It's the beginning of a new year, but it's also the dawning of a new day for Iraq," said Lt. Col. David Snodgrass, the dep. comm. officer for 3rd BCT, 25th ID, and a guest speaker at the conference. "The people of Iraq have come through a lot of adversity throughout the past 5 years."
Snodgrass briefed the attendees on the how U.S. Soldiers in Kirkuk will comply with the new security agreement. "The U.S. will recognize the sovereignty of Iraq," he said, adding that the U.S. remains committed to supporting the Iraqi SF and the GoI, as they improve their capabilities.
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Multi-National Security Transition Command
Iraq Public Affairs Office
Phoenix Base, APO AE 09348
Ongoing repairs to Kirkush NCO Military Academy barracks provide unique training
KIRKUSH — Ongoing repairs to 3 barracks at the new NCO Military Academy here are providing unique training opportunities for a local engr. and craftsmen. During structural testing by Coalition agencies, only 1 of the 4 barracks was deemed safe for occupancy.
Navy Lt. Robert Curry, Civil Engr Corps and resource manager for MNSTC-I’s Coalition Army Advisory Training Team, said, “Once complete, this project will greatly enhance the development of the NCO Corps in the IA.” Identifying the need for workers skilled in welding and concrete, the contractor brought in an Iraqi engr, a U.S. expatriate construction mgr., and a third-country national journeyman welder and carpenter to lead and train the team of workers.
Through a training program modeled after a U.S. welder certification program, 9 Iraqis became certified welder journeymen. In a combination of classroom training, field experience and evaluation, the Iraqi welders and steel workers learned and used new technology including plasma torches and truss steel jigs during the assembly of the steel trusses. Carpenters learned the time and cost-savings of reusable wooden forms for foundation footers and 9-meter tall structurally reinforced walls.
The 9-meter tall reusable wall form allows an entire wall to be poured at once because of multiple concrete pouring access points. “The structural repairs are currently about 78% complete,” said AF 1st Lt. Ryan Oot, engr. for the CAATT Logistics Mgt. Advisory Team. “Once complete, these facilities will support professional military education, a crucial function in the development of the IA.”
AF Capt. Matt Olijnek, program mgr. for Iraqi Ministry of Defense projects for MNSTC-I’s J7 (engr) directorate, said, “I’m very pleased with the pace of construction at this point in the project. Implementing these time-saving techniques has allowed the contractor to accomplish 4 or more percent each week. It is also good to see the vast number of Iraqis working on site and applying new skills”
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Multi-National Security Transition Command
Iraq Public Affairs Office
Phoenix Base APO AE 09348
IMCO renders 25,000th small arms weapon inoperable (MNSTC-I)
BAGHDAD – Members of the Iraqi Mine/UXO Clearance Org. will ring in the New Year with a significant accomplishment under their belt -- 25,000 small arms weapons rendered inoperable and off Iraqi streets.
Since the inception of the destruction program, 25,000 small arms, ranging from pistols and AK-47’s to RPG’s and 120 mm mortars, have been destroyed. The first 10,000 weapons were destroyed in just over 5 weeks, with the next 15,000 rendered inoperable in just over 7 weeks.
The vast majority of the weapons are confiscated by Iraqi and CF. The weapons then make their way to the logistical base at Taji and are then shipped to the IMCO compound located inside the Int'l Zone for destruction.
The journey for of these destroyed weapons doesn’t end in a scrap heap. Local artists use the scrap parts to create unique sculptures that decorate the IMCO facility. What was once a dangerous weapon now serves as a beacon of hope for a more secure Iraq.
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Pump You Up
SSgt. Nathan Morningstar, 407th Expeditionary Logistic Readiness Sqdrn air terminal ops, rests between dumbbell military press sets, Dec. 31, 2008. Morningstar was recently named "Strongest Man in the AOR," by squatting 520 pounds and bench pressing 380 pounds.
(Photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Griffin) (Joanna: Notice the big shoes!)
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U.S. Forces Afghanistan
Afghan forces stop attack on Coalition airfield
KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan Security Guards (ASG) thwarted a daytime insurgent attack on Shindand airfield, Dec 29.
The airfield is located in Herat province in the western area of Afghan. It is suspected that the insurgents were preparing to ambush incoming aircraft.
The insurgents attacked the guards with small arms weapons. ASG successfully repelled the attack with the help of Afghan National Police (ANP). Four insurgents were detained for questioning by ANP.
“Afghan forces continue to lead successful ops in efforts to improve the security of the Afghan people,” said Col. Jerry O’Hara, a U.S. Forces spokesperson. “As we move into the New Year, Afghan forces working with CF will keep pressuring the insurgents until the insurgency is defeated.”
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