Dear Interested Reader,
Soldiers from Charlie Co., 25th ID set up a pen pal program between kids of Samarra and Michigan. IA soldiers learn advanced medical skills, while Marine transition teams train IP, IA and Border Patrol. Al Karadah Civil Support Training Center reopens. 1st Bn, 319th Abn FAR assumes responsibility at FOB Rustamiyah. In Afghanistan, CF target road side bombers in Zabul, and the Gov. of Farah meets with Marine Corps leaders.
Joanna
________________________________
Jan. 7, 2009
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
New Friends
An Iraqi school girl from Samarra receives a drawing from a girl in Michigan. U.S. Soldiers from Charlie Co, 2nd Inf Bn, 35th Inf Regt, 3rd BCT, 25th ID set up a pen pal program between the kids of Samarra and the kids of Michigan on Dec. 30, 2008.
(Photo by Sgt. Kani Ronningen)
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IA Soldiers learn advanced medical skills
COB ADDER - Approx. 15 IA medics completed advanced combat medical skills training at Camp Mittica, near Tallil Air Base, in southern Iraq, Dec 31. IA Soldiers attended the class offered through a continued partnership with the 27th BSB, 4th BCT, 1st Cav Div.
SSgt. Junior St. Hilaire and Staff Sgt. Willie Gray, 27th BSB medics, taught the 10-day course which covered combat casualty care, basic pharmacology and how to evaluate casualties. "I really like to train with the U.S. Army and train on their
equipment," said Iraqi Pfc. Chassid Borhan, during one of the previous classes. "We like to learn their ways of medical care, so we can make ours better."
"The IA medics seem anxious to learn medical skills," said St. Hilaire. The 27th BSB is planning to implement a "train-the-trainer" phase to the monthly course, enabling the IA Soldiers to sustain their own force and strengthen their medical capabilities.
An IA medic administers intravenous fluids to a fellow Soldier.
(Army photo by 2nd Lt. Melanie Kwan)
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Marine Transition Teams Train Iraqi Police, Army, Border Patrol
By Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank
Lance Cpl. David K. Lutz, 1st Marine Logistics Group, secures a chain to a refrigerated container so Marines can lift it into place with a 25-ton crane, Dec. 21, 2008.
AL ASAD — Five years into OIF, CF continue to concentrate their efforts on professionalizing the IA, Army and Border Patrol.
Marines are making progress to transfer security missions here to Iraqis by providing military, police and border transition teams. “We embed with the transition teams, and live with them for 4 to 5 days at a time,” said 1st Lt. Daniel Rodriguez, logistics officer, BTT 5th Bn, 6th Bde, 2nd Region.
Marines and Sailors with Transportation Support Co (TS), Combat Logistics Bn 2, 1st Marine Logistics Group (MLG), play a vital role in providing logistical support for the MTT, PTT and BTT teams in western al Anbar province. “It’s imperative that we get the transition teams the supplies they need for them to be mission capable,” said 1st Lt. Aaron L. Serrano, 28, convoy cmdr., TS Co., CLB-2, 1st MLG.
TS Co. consistently performs combat logistics patrols to Camp Gannon delivering food, water, repair parts and other equipment required for the transition teams to operate. “Our mission is to train, mentor and advise the dir. of border enforcement,” said Rodriguez, 25. “We trained them to interdict foreign fighters, facilitators and smugglers, and secure the Iraq-Syrian border.”
The transition teams are teaching the Iraqis how to handle weapons, conduct dismounted and mounted patrols, and develop leadership skills. “We’re focusing on building stability with the IP, Army and Dept of Border Enforcement,” said 1st Lt. John A. Meyer, Co. K EO, 3rd Bn., 7th Marine Regt, RCT 5.
Marines with the transition teams are also working every day developing the local economy and govt in the area. “We conduct leadership engagements with IP chiefs, school headmasters, and city council members,” said Meyer, 26. “We give them guidance and advice to function as a community.”
“The biggest success that the transition teams have had in the region is they’ve been able to get the different Iraqi units to meet on a regular basis and coordinate their ops in order to bring security to the region,” said Rodriguez.
“The Iraqis have progressed so much over the years, there’s less of a need for us to be out here,” said Meyer. “The Iraqi people are able to stand and function on their own.”
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Al Karadah Civil Support District Training center opens
FOB LOYALTY - District leaders, administrators and hundreds of students attended the reopening of the Civil Support District Training Center in Baghdad's Al Karadah district, Dec. 30.
Soldiers from the 1st Bn, 319th Abn FAR, 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn Div, were also in attendance to assist in security measures and meet the center's administrators in a show of partnership. The center teaches students vocational skills, offering courses in road repair, generator repair, plumbing, electrical installation, sanitation and landscaping.
More than 550 students are currently enrolled at the center. Students must complete a 6-month training course in their desired career paths and pass a final written exam in order to graduate.
Hazim, 27, is a plumbing student who is looking forward to a new life his education will provide. "I have no job, and I'm looking for work experience in order to build a better future for myself," he said "If I listen to my professors and study hard, I know the future is looking good for me."
Classes for women are scheduled to begin later this year.
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Blackanthem Military News
1st Bn., 319th Abn. FA Regt. assumes responsibility at FOB Rustamiyah
By Staff Sgt. Alex Licea
FOB RUSTAMIYAH -
Paratroopers assigned to Btry A, 1st Bn, 319th Abn FAR, 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn Div, render honors during a transition ceremony Dec. 31 at FOB Rustamiyah. The 1st Bn., 319th FAR, based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., transitioned with Soldiers of the 5th Bn, 25th FAR, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div. The paratroopers will assist Iraqi SF in the Al Karradah district of eastern Baghdad during its 12-month deployment.
Lt. Col. William McRae, cmdr. of 1st Bn, 319th, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Payton, the bn's senior enlisted leader, unveil the bn colors.
The honor guard detachment assigned to 1st Bn, 319th, hold the national and bn colors side by side.
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Sharing Treats
First Lt. John Mullany, Co. B, 2-8th Inf. Regt., 2nd BCT, 4th ID plt leader, and his interpreter give desserts bought from a local vendor to some children during a combined patrol in Hamza, Dec. 30. (Army photo by Sgt. Rodney Foliente)
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Supplies for Iraqi Children
Sgt. Jeramy Storrer, an armor crew member and Staff Sgt. Matthew Rigge, an Abrams tank cmdr., unload soda while 1st Lt. Jason Behler, an armor plt leader picks up school bags and supplies, Jan. 3. The Soldiers, assigned to Co C, 1st Bn, 22nd Inf Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, brought the supplies to the Jihad Neighborhood Advisory Council in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, to distribute to Iraqi orphans from schools in western Rashid district.
(Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brent Williams)
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Well Done
Army 1st Sgt. David Bernosky congratulates an Iraqi Soldier on a job well done in Basra, Jan. 1, 2009. Bernosky is assigned to the 304th CAB.
(Army photo by Spc. Karah Cohen)
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High-five
Army Spc. Amber Stephens greets Iraqi children near the site of one of three schools under construction in Budayr, Dec. 23, 2008. Stephens is assigned to the 982nd Combat Camera Co.
(AF photo by Senior Airman Eric Harris)
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Blackanthem Military News
Coalition forces target road side bombers in Zabul
By US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan - CF killed 8 armed Taliban militants and detained a suspected militant during an op to disrupt the foreign fighter and roadside bomb network in Zabul Province, Dec. 31.
In Arghandad District, approx. 120km northeast of Kandahar City, CF targeted a Taliban sub-cmdr. wanted for his ties to the roadside bombing network along Highway One, and recent attacks against CF in Zabul Province. He is also assessed to traffic foreign fighters into the region.
During the op CF gave explicit instruction for all individuals to exit the building peacefully. Adhering to the instructions, 4 women and 10 children exited and were protected by the force and moved to a safe location. Several armed militants refused to exit the compound. These militants presented a threat to the force and had to be engaged with small-arms fire, killing 6. A search of the targeted compound revealed multiple AK-47 assault rifles, pistols and hand grenades.
As CF left the targeted building armed militants moving along a nearby ridge attempted to maneuver on and engage the force. Realizing the imminent threat, CF engaged the militants with precision close-air fire support, killing 2 armed militants.
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Blackanthem Military News
Governor of Farah meets with Marine Corps leaders
By 1st Lt Stewart M. Coles
Governor Amin (left) talks with Col. Duffy W. White (right) during a meeting to discuss security, logistic and economic progress in Farah Province, Jan. 3, 2009. White, cmdr. of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground TF - Afghanistan, attended the meeting to introduce himself and make known his support to Amin.
(Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones)
FARAH PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Key leaders of the Farah province met with senior leaders of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground TF - Afghanistan Jan. 3, 2009, to discuss the alliance's progress and security advancements in the southwestern province. Key military and SF leaders also engaged Amin on such topics as ongoing ops, budgetary expenses and policy in the region. Discussed were several of the positive effects seen in Farah Province, including revised legislation, progress in the logistical support of Afghan forces, increased security patrols, improved commerce and the building of schools and improvements in infrastructure, all of which support ongoing counterinsurgency ops.
"Where the Marines work with district leaders, there is really good coordination," said Amin of his experience of working with U.S. Marines. Marines and sailors with 3rd Bn, 8th Marine Regt (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Bn 3, the ground and logistics combat elements of SPMAGTF-A, are working diligently to clear highway roads of IEDs and other threats, to improve security and infrastructure in the region. "It's getting better every day," said Amin. "We should continue this. There may be some problems, but we should keep going on. We will continue working well with others."
Col. Duffy W. White (2nd from left), and Lt. Col. David L. Odom (third from left), listen intently to comments by Gov. Amin (left). Odom is the comm. officer of 3rd Bn, 8th Marine Regt.
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