Dear Interested Reader,
Nearly 100% of 1st Bn, 3rd Marine Regt, RCT 6 corpsmen earned their Fleet Marine Force qualification insignia. Two school buildings are refurbished and reopened. Riverine SWAT deliver medical supplies and cheer to children's hospital. New clinic provides care for Kurdish community. IP Chief considered a local hero and inspiration to those in a rural area near Karmah. Many caches, criminals and terrorists seized. In Afghanistan, the elite National Army Commandos elicit a sense of pride and nationalism.
Joanna
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Feb. 24, 2009
MNF WEST USMC
Corpsmen earn respect, knowledge with FMF course
Story by Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis
CAMP BAHARIA – Nearly 100% of TF, 1st Bn, 3rd Marine Regt, RCT 6 corpsmen earned their Fleet Marine Force (FMF) qualification insignia in Karmah, Feb. 8.
The Navy FMF insignia demonstrates a wealth of knowledge, ranging from Marine Corps customs and courtesies, to its origins. Some of the skills covered to earn the insignia include basic infantry tactics, helicopter-borne ops and small-unit leadership. This qualification demonstrates the corpsman’s extra effort to understand the history of the Marine Corps and effectively work with Marine Corps units.
Mandatory after 18 months of service with a Marine Corps unit, corpsmen from 1st Bn., 3rd Marines’ corpsmen endured hours of additional and specialty training to earn the insignia. 100% completion is rare among bns, and 1st Bn., 3rd Marines, will be among the few with total completion, once the remaining corpsmen complete the final oral review.
The qualification not only helps corpsmen learn about various aspects of the Marine Corps, but drastically increases their overall knowledge to cohesively work alongside Marines, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Schmahl, a 33-year-old hospitalman with Lava Dog Assessment Reaction Team, 1st Bn., 3rd Marines.
Most Marines also appreciate the sailor’s effort to further their comprehension and understanding of the Marine Corps. Making the Navy-Marine Corps team stronger, young corpsmen will continue to thrive and better their knowledge of military customs and courtesies to become a more efficient fighting force.
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Two Iraqi school buildings refurbished, dedicated
Dir. of Education Salem Arrayed, Iraqi Marine Col. Jamal Kazim, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kevin Vereen and Umm Qasr Mayor Habeeb cut the ribbon at the Al Marfaa primary school.
(Army photo by SSgt. Aaron Thacker)
Umm Qasr - Nearly 1,350 students walked into 2 newly refurbished primary school buildings in Umm Qasr where, school city and Coalition officials dedicated the projects' completion, Feb. 19.
The 2 ops, outfitted the Al Nashaa and Al Marfaa schools with new paint, windows, electrical systems, plumbing, reconditioned bathrooms, roofs and desks.
"Today we open this school to be the future light for the students," said Abu Ali, headmaster of Al Marfaa. "The first 3 words of the Koran means to 'read.' The scripture says it wants everyone to be educated. Education is the duty of every Muslim person."
"Our main reason for these restorations was to provide the children with a safe learning environment," said Sgt. Adam Kirschner, the project mgr from 42nd MP Bde at Camp Bucca. He said these projects started when community members brought the issue of reconstruction to the town's council. The city officials worked with Coalition civil affairs teams to create a proposal and form a contract. Kirschner said that projects like these are important to the future of Umm Qasr, because the town is growing rapidly due to the economic development generated by the country's only deep-water port there in town.
"Last time we met, this school was in bad condition. This time we are meeting because the school is like new," Habeeb said. "We were successful because of the cooperation between, the town's people, the council and the CF."
So far 7 schools in the area have been refurbished in the last 12 months with help from Kirschner's unit. He said that Umm Qasr Secondary School is next on the list and should start in about 2 weeks.
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Riverine SWAT deliver medical supplies, cheer to children's hospital
BASRAH - The Tactical Response Team portion of Basrah's SWAT hit the shores and took on the mission of improving the well-being of children at Basrah's Children's Hospital by delivering medical supplies and toys recently.
The hospital's dir., Dr. Al-Mahfudh, expressed his gratitude for the generosity and reaching out to the Basrah community. The stopover at the children's hospital was the first made by Basrah's SWAT TRT. Established 2 months ago, Basrah's SWAT TRT enhances Iraqi SF' capability through maritime and urban-strike ops, thus increasing ISF's ability to limit criminal activity.
"The SWAT TRT officers were very happy, because they were getting to know the people better," said the SWAT TRT major. "They were very excited to introduce themselves to people letting them know what they do as SWAT TRT officers."
"It's good to have the kids like us, because they are the future of Iraq," said a SWAT TRT officer. "They now know who we are and what we do ... and that builds trust."
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New clinic provides care for Kurdish community
KURDISTAN - Approximately 30 people gathered for the grand opening of the Tovo Medical Clinic, Feb. 12 in the Kani Karweshkan foothills, located in Halabja.
The clinic provides nearly 500 residents from 6 surrounding village's, access to a medical facility and the medical services of a staff of 3 full-time doctors. The location of the clinic also increases the chances of survivability, by providing people in a community, where vehicular transportation is scarce, access because of the clinic's central location.
"Most of the trauma cases we see are due to snake and scorpion bites to farmers working the fields," said the regional tribal leader. "These patients can receive care immediately, lowering their chances of death."
Potential long-term projects include paving the clinic route to make it more accessible, drilling wells to provide water to the clinic, establishing nearby electrical lines for communication, and expanding clinic services. "The opening of this clinic is just one of several planned to promote local participation and demonstrate the govt's commitment to maintaining security while encouraging social and capital development, said Col. Bill Buckner, spokesman for the MNC - Iraq.
A KRG rep reiterated that commitment, saying, "Give me a list of everything the staff needs, whether it is equipment, medications or supplies, and I will take care of it," he told the head tribal leader. "CF helped build the clinic, but it is our job to sustain it."
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MNFWEST.USMC.MIL
300 pound IED does not deter Iraqi police chief
Story by Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis
Lt. Col. Abd Al Salam, Chief of Police in Gnather, and a hero.
KARMAH – After an IP chief drove over 300 pounds of homemade explosives Feb. 8, the minor injuries sustained paled in comparison to his renewed determination to rid Karmah of insurgents. Lt Col. Abd Al Salam, Chief of Police in Gnather, a rural area located 6 km outside Karmah, was the victim of this attempt to assassinate one of many Iraqi citizens fighting against its nation’s enemies.
Insurgents carried out the IED attack in late January. Many believe it was a desperate act of retaliation as a result of Salam’s notable efforts to hinder insurgent activity such as unearthing up to 3 weapons caches a week.
Salam served in the IA during the Saddam regime, and following OIF, transitioned over to the IP and worked his way up to his current rank. Salam said that helping Iraq regain stability is the reason he continues to serve his country.
Karmah’s security is his primary concern. The loss of several close family members in insurgent attacks over the course of this war has not deterred Salam from pursuing his goal; an independent Iraq free from terror. “I do my job for the security of Karmah, and the safety of my fellow countryman,” the 45-year-old explained. “I get my satisfaction from saving the innocent, and ridding violent terrorists from Iraq.”
Salam said he isn’t intimidated by terrorists, and promises they will be dealt with and held accountable for their crimes. “Those people are just killers,” he said. “Their only purpose and dedication is to killing. They are thugs for hire.”
As Salam recovers from the IED attack, the mission of maintaining security continues in his absence. Salam’s straight-forward ethics and organization has served as an example to all IP chiefs, said 1st Lt. Charles Dotterrer, a 25-year-old plt cmdr with 2nd Plt, Co A, 1st Bn, 3rd Marine Regt, RCT 6. “He’s a local hero,” Dotterrer said.” I see him coming back and being just as, if not more, vigilant. He’s done a really good job, and is part of the reason Marines are able to continue transitioning further behind-the-scenes.”
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ISF discover 3 weapons caches, arrest 13 suspects
BALAD - In an op in Tikrit Feb. 13, 7 men were detained by Tikrit ERB officers. One of the men arrested is suspected of being directly involved in a Feb. 11 attack against CF. In addition to these arrests, a weapons cache was discovered, which included AK47s, pistols, mags, grenade fuses, blasting caps, bullets, an AK drum and grenades.
West of Isahki, Iraqi NP found another weapons cache and made 2 arrests while serving a warrant in a separate op, Feb. 12. The cache included a suicide belt, loaded RPK drum, receiver, transmitter, detonation cord, insulated crush wire, blasting caps, home-made explosives, mags, and tools used as IED initiator kits. The 2 men detained by NP were directly tied to the area where the illegal material was found.
A cache was also discovered during a patrol to the Nidah tribe area, near Dimah Castle, Feb. 10, consisting of RPG rounds, mine igniters, artillery fuses, propellant chargers, dynamite, booster canisters and other munitions.
February 10, Bayji SWAT arrested 4 men and confiscated a sedan near Siniyah, under the authority of a Salah ad Din Supreme Court issued warrant. The men are suspected of using the sedan to transport weapons and IED materials in the Bayji area.
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ISF arrest 9 terrorist suspects in northern Iraq
BALAD - In the Mosul area of the Ninewa Province, Mosul SWAT arrested a man under the authority of an IP-issued warrant, Feb. 12. His arrest was warranted based on his alleged involvement with terrorist lethal-aid networks and operational capabilities.
Also in Mosul, Iraqi SOF, armed with a Central Criminal Court of Iraq warrant, arrested 3 suspected terrorists Feb. 12, one of which is suspected to be the cell leader. The terrorist cell these men are allegedly members of is responsible for numerous attacks against ISF, particularly IP throughout Mosul; murders; and kidnappings.
In Muqdadiyah, ISOF arrested a man allegedly responsible for building and emplacing VBIEDs against CF.
In a separate op in Al Ikha Feb. 12, Tal Afar SWAT arrested of a man allegedly affiliated with a local terrorist cell. This arrest was directed through a warrant issued by the Tel Afar Court.
A man was arrested Feb. 12 by Baqubah SWAT, as authorized through a warrant issued by a Baqubah Task unit cmdr. This man, arrested in Baqubah, was allegedly planning a VBIED attack against CF in the near future. "The op resulted in the arrest of a man who clearly showed signs of having begun preparations to conduct a suicide attack, and tested positive for explosive residue," said the op cmdr.
In a separate op, IA Soldiers arrested 2 men in Rabiah under the authority of a CCCI warrant. These men are suspected members of a terrorist cell who specialize in forging documents, and weapons distribution. Evidence also suggests that these men are alleged associates with a man who attempted to poison troops at a COP, and a VBIED attack on IA in Tal Uwaynat.
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U.S. Forces - Afghanistan
Elite Afghan soldiers elicit a sense of nationalism
KABUL – A recent Afghan NA Commando mission in the Balkh province proved that Afghanistan’s military is gaining the support of the country’s communities. Commando’s of the Afghan NA’s 209th Corps and CF met with villagers near Mazar-e-Sharif Feb. 23, to provide info about the role the elite Afghan soldiers play in the defense of Afghanistan. The young men of the community showed an outpouring of interest in the Commandos.
After seeing a Commando poster, 2 young men approached the elite soldiers and took it a step further by stating their intent to join the ranks. The Commandos referred the villagers to an Afghan NA recruiter, and they began the enlistment process on the spot. The new recruits expressed that their decision was based upon the belief that the Commandos are fighting for the good of the Afghan people.
The young villagers in Mazar-e-Sharif are only 2 of many Afghan men who have made the decision to step up and fight for the future of this war-torn nation. “The extremists have ruled this country for far too long,” said Abdul Mohammad, a recent graduate of the Commando training school near Kabul. “I became a Commando because I have had enough. I am tired of living in fear for myself, and for the lives of my wife and children.” Mohammad, a former Kabul shopkeeper, said that becoming a soldier has left him with a sense of nationalism he never knew before. “When I first arrived here, the men beside me were Pashtun, Tajik and Uzbek,” he said. “Today, they are simply my Commando brothers. We all share a common enemy, so only together can we defeat the militants and live in peace.”
More than 3,600 Afghan men have graduated since the elite soldier program’s inception in January 2007.
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