Dear Interested Reader,
IA and CF conduct recon patrol in Hamza. IA rings in the New Year with increased troops. SoI learn carpentry and welding skills from Sustainers. Iraqi SF raise Iraqi flag over JSS Istaqlal, while former FOB Callahan is turned over to the Iraqi Trade Ministry. In Afghanistan, Afghan NA and CF disrupt road side bombers in Khost and Zabul.
Joanna
_____________________________
Jan. 5, 2009
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Iraqi Army, MND-N leaders meet on New Year's Day
COB SPEICHER -
Staff Brig. Gen. Zenel, 4th IA Div chief of staff, and Col. Walter Piatt, 3rd IBCT, 25th ID, cmdr., met at a luncheon to celebrate the New Year and the new security agreement which took effect Jan. 1.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Tim Meyer)
Members of the 25th ID Band play jazz music while Staff Brig. Gen. Zenel serves himself lunch.
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IA, CF Soldiers conduct reconnaissance patrol in Hamza
CAMP ECHO - Dec. 30, the patrol afforded the IA Soldiers and Co B, 2nd CAB, 8th Inf Regt, 2nd BCT, 4th ID the opportunity to become more familiar with the town, its people and the local leaders.
"It's important for us to know the area better and meet the people on missions like this. When the people see us out among them, we get to know each other better and build trust between us," said Ali, an Iraqi sgt. "It is an important relationship we are building," he said. "They help us help them and let us do our job better because they know what is happening in their area. Also, the more the citizens see us doing our job, the more they trust us to keep them safe. That is our job: to protect the Iraqi people." Throughout the day, the patrol walked through market streets and residential areas, stopping to greet people and ask questions about the area. "These missions build the people's trust in us when we talk with them, help them and show them that we work for them and for their safety," said Damin, an Iraqi staff sgt.
"It's necessary to talk to all the people so they understand our presence and what our mission is," said 1st Lt. John Mullany, plt leader, Co. B, 2-8 Inf. Regt. Crowds of children threaded their way into conversations with Iraqi and American Soldiers, vying for attention with greetings, offers of refreshments and even cartwheels. "I like interacting with the people, even if you're not talking about mission related things, but about families and things like that; I enjoy it. I don't think there is any better way of building trust," said Mullany. "They need to know that we're here to train the IA so they can take over and do their own missions and take care of their own country. So when we leave, they will know their (Army and Police) are strong," he said.
Children approach Soldiers from Co B and IA Soldiers.
(Army photos by Sgt. Rodney Foliente)
Soldiers from Co B and IA Soldiers walk down a busy market street.
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IA brings in New Year with new troops
COB ADDER - Approx. 2,100 IA Soldiers graduated their initial training at the Besmaya Range Complex, Dec. 31 increasing the might of the Iraqi SF.
As he visually reviewed the graduating troops of the 41st Bde, 10th IA Div, Gen Habeeb, cmdr. of the 10th IA Div stood and saluted the newest members. Habeeb displayed pride for his unit with a gentle smile as the Soldiers stood in a mass formation prior to the graduation. "I am very pleased at the way our partnership is working and how we are doing here," said Habeeb. "I think the 41st Bde has had some of the best training working with the American troops."
The Soliders of the 5th Bn, 82nd FAR, 4th BCT, 1st Cav Div helped train the Iraqi troops in weapon-system familiarization and using their combat gear. The Soldiers focused on preparing the Iraqis to build from the past and provide security for their country.
Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq cmdr., attended the ceremony. "The IA of today is made up of Soldiers who have only one thing in mind, to provide the people of Iraq a professional security force," said Helmick. "We look forward to serving alongside you in 2009."
Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick presents one of the graduates with a gift during the IA graduation.
(Army photo by Pfc. Terence Ewings)
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Sons of Iraq learn carpentry, welding skills from Sustainers
JOINT BASE BALAD - After a hard day's work, most people want to relax. For some Iraqis working at Joint Base Balad, relaxation comes only after completing an 18-mile walk home.
For "Mohammed," a SoI member who works for the Iraqi-owned Miran Company, at a container repair facility here said the walk home does not bother him or his co-workers. In fact, their job is probably the reason they each have their own home. "I'm very happy to work, my family is happy," he said. "I can help my family; my mom, my dad. Now we have salary and pay ... we have a house."
Sustainers from the 155th Inland Cargo Transportation Co. and the 259th CSSB, 3rd Sust Command (Expeditionary) trained approx. 35 SoI on welding, painting and carpentry skills since Oct. 2008. The training partnership enables the SoI to repair and inspect shipping containers at the Iraqi-owned container repair facility.
Capt. Jason Whitehorn, the support ops transportation officer in charge for the 259th CSSB said the training has been rewarding for both the Iraqis and Soldiers. Not only does the training provides the Iraqis with valuable job skills; it also saves the Army money, he said. Additionally, repairing containers here reduces the amount of convoys and Soldiers traveling Iraqi roads on their way to Kuwait to deliver damaged containers for repairs. Whitehorn added that until this training began, Kuwait was one of the few places where shipping containers could be repaired.
SSgt. Jesus Grajales and 3 other Soldiers from the 155th Inland Cargo Trans. Co., along with an Iraqi partner taught classes on welding for 2 weeks as well as a hands-on portion to every worker at the facility. Grajales said they are teaching the Iraqis how to weld, repair and inspect shipping containers so they might eventually be able to start a container repair company of their own. "Only about 5% of Iraqi welders know how to use a plasma cutter (a tool to cut steel and other dense metal materials), but all the workers here have learned to use one," said Hashim, the manager and owner of the Miran Co. "That puts them ahead of others and helps them get opportunity to make money."
Whitehorn said the most challenging aspect during training was overcoming cultural differences. They not only taught Iraqis, but learned from them as well. "One day the schedule would say we were teaching welding, but it would soon turn into an English lesson, or an Arabic lesson for our guys," he said. "Some words don't translate so you work around it, but it built the relationship between us even stronger."
Hashim said the training not only benefitted the Iraqi workers monetarily; it has also helped them get to know American Soldiers better. "Some Iraqis don't get to be close with Soldiers, they just see convoys, and they have no chance to talk with them or learn about their families," he said. "But we get to meet and joke around with Soldiers and learn each others' language. I want to thank the Soldiers for giving them a job, a chance at a better future and for building a good relationship with us."
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ISF raise Iraqi flag over JSS Istaqlal
BAGHDAD -
A leader from the Iraqi NP raises the Iraqi flag with Lt. Col. Richard Wilson, 1st Bn, 27th Inf Regt, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th Inf Div, attached to 3rd BCT, 4th ID, cmdr., symbolizing the transition in security of Iraq, Jan. 1.
(Army photos by Spc. Brian Pierce)
A leader from the Iraqi 2nd Bde, shakes hands with Lt. Col. Richard Wilson, officially transitioning security.
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Former FOB Callahan turned over to Iraqi Trade Ministry
AL SHA' AB, Iraq - Days after the Green Zone was returned to the GoI, Iraqi sovereignty continues to move forward in Baghdad.
CF returned FOB Callahan in the Al Sha'ab neighborhood to Iraqi jurisdiction, Jan. 3 in the Sha'ab neighborhood of Baghdad's Adhamiyah district. FOB Callahan was the former Sha'ab Market and a strategic spot in Adhamiyah, which was taken over in 2007 as part of the surge to monitor routes and more fully secure the area. With the new security agreement and increased security in the area, CF seized the opportunity to return the building back to the Iraqi Ministry of Trade.
The Ministry of Trade plans to renovate the building and return it to its original market place and will remove the concrete barriers surrounding it. "There are 2 big effects by reopening this building," said Capt. Kevin Kahre, cmdr. of Co D, 1-68 AR, 3rd BCT, 4th ID. "The first impact will be that traffic will be alleviated considerably by the reopening of 2 major roads in the area, which will afford people the opportunity to move around more freely, as we take down barriers. Larger vehicles will be able to transport anything from goods to fuel more easily as well. Second, in the upcoming months, as the MOT fixes and reopens the building, it will once again be a source of income for the area."
Kahre went on to explain how rewarding it has been for him and Soldiers who have deployed multiple times to see things come "full circle" and how good it was to see Iraqis get that part of their city back. There are 8 other markets like the one in Sha'ab and 2 remain under Coalition control.
Anys Faleyeh, the gen. mgr. of the Ministry of Trade, receives the key to the Sha'ab Market from Lt. Col. Michael Pappal, cmdr. of the 1st CAB, 68th Armor Regt, 3rd BCT, 4th ID. The ceremony served to symbolize Iraq's furthered sovereignty in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad.
(Army photos by Sgt. Whitney Houston)
Two Iraqi NP, Sgt. Cesar Campbell (left), and Pfc. Benedict Joel (right), both serving with the 1st CAB, drop an Iraqi flag from the roof of the Al Sha'ab market.
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ISF, MND-B Soldiers discover munitions, arrest four suspects
BAGHDAD - Jan. 3, in Baghdad's Rashid district, at approx. 11 a.m. in the Karb De Gla community, Iraqi NP partnered with Soldiers from Co A, 1st Bn, 505th PIR, 1st BCT detained 4 suspected criminals in possession of battery charges and other roadside bomb-making materials.
In another op in the area, Soldiers from Co D, 505th PIR, discovered 30 anti-tank mines, an AK-47 assault rifle and 3 AK-47 mags during a patrol at approximately 2 p.m.
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Blackanthem Military News
By US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs
ANA, and Coalition forces disrupt road side bombers in Khost and Zabul
KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan and CF killed 5 armed militants and detained 10 suspected militants, including the targeted Haqqani militant and Taliban sub-cmdr., during multiple ops to disrupt terrorist ops in Khost and Zabul provinces, Jan 1.
As the combined force approached the militant's compound, multiple armed militants exited the buildings and attempted to maneuver on the force. Members of the combined force moved to interdict the militants and were engaged by enemy small-arms fire and hand grenades. The combined force returned fire, engaging the armed militants with small-arms and close-air precision munitions. A search of the militants revealed several hand grenades, multiple AK-47s, pistols and other military equipment.
Meanwhile, the remainder of the combined force continued the search of the targeted building, and found 3 bags of roadside bomb-making material, including blasting caps, remote detonators and wires.
The op in Qalat District, approx. 120 km northeast of Kandahar, resulted in the capture of a Taliban sub-cmdr. known to plan and execute roadside bombs and direct attacks against CF along Highway One. He's also believed to facilitate the movement of weapons into the Zabul province for illegal activities.
CF searched the targeted compound without incident and detained 2 additional suspected militants while protecting 9 women and 20 children.
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