Dear Interested Reader,
NP officers receive the most advanced training possible by the 56th Stryker BCT, Pa. Army Nat'l Guard. Iraqis prove capable in securing the Port of Entry Trebil. A most interesting story of Iraqi officers attending an ethics training and character development symposium. (It gives an insight into the makings of a trooper). JSS Ghazaliyah returned to jubilant IP. Suspected criminals captured, averting an attack. In Afghanistan, in Farah Province, commandos capture suspected weapons facilitator, while CF kill a Taliban cmdr.
Joanna
______________________________
Feb. 17, 2009
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Proper Planning
Capt. Greg Holloway, 1st Bn, 112th Inf Regt, 56th Stryker BCT, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, discusses an upcoming air assault mission with Iraqi NP, Feb. 14, at JSS Istaqlal. Holloway ensures that the NP officers receive the most advanced training possible to secure the region.
(Photo by Spc. Charles Pearson)
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Iraqis Prove Capability to Secure Entry Port
By Cpl. Triah Pendracki
A U.S. Marine with MNF-West gazes at the arches marking the border between Iraq and Jordan, while visiting the Port of Entry (POE) Trebil in Iraq's western Anbar province, Feb. 12.
PORT OF ENTRY TREBIL — In furtherance of Iraqi sovereignty and the Security Agreement, Iraqi officials are proving to U.S. and CF that they are not only ready, but capable of defending themselves and their country.
Brig. Gen. John E. Wissler, the dep. comm. gen. of MNF-West, paid a visit to POE Trebil in Iraq’s western Anbar province, Feb. 12, to view a validation exercise demonstrating the progress of local Iraqi SF charged with guarding the border between Iraq and Jordan.
POE Trebil had long been a gateway for illegal trafficking from Jordan into Iraq until a small detachment of U.S. Marines formed the Port of Entry Transition Team (POETT), and trained local Iraqi govt forces to defend their POE from smuggling and terrorism.
While at POE Trebil, Wissler watched a reaction drill during which the ISF responded to a simulated VBIED. With minimal help from the POETT, Iraqi forces quickly threw up a security perimeter, as a team of firemen put out the blaze, and paramedics rushed in and pulled a simulated casualty to safety. Wissler said he was impressed by the ISF’s skilled performance during the demonstration. “This was a tremendous opportunity for me to see in action the ops and the ability for this POE team at Trebil,” he said. “It’s a joint op across all elements of the Iraqi SF to join together to respond to a VBIED, and their performance was magnificent.”
After the demo was complete, Trebil’s port authority, IA Brig. Gen. Fahdel, led Wissler through the port to see other security measures that allow safe transit through the POE. The POETT Marines are using fewer hands-on training techniques with the ISF as they are becoming more independent, but the aid of U.S. and CF is still an important, but ever diminishing, factor in the Iraqis’ success.
“We will continue to execute our humanitarian actions and our civil military ops,” Wissler said. “What we’re trying to do is remove ourselves as much from our physical presence in Iraqi lives, but at the same time we are going to continue to have our hand outstretched.”
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Multi-National Security Transition Command
Iraqi Officers Attend Ethics Training in U.S.
BAGHDAD — Three officers from the Training Directorate of the IA traveled to San Diego, Calif. and West Point, N.Y. for focused discussions on military ethics training and character development, Jan. 29 – Feb. 4.
At the Int'l Society of Military Ethics Symposium in San Diego, the officers engaged presenters from all branches of the U.S. military, as well as Canada and Australia, in discussions on character development programs within their respective services.
A key message of the conference was summed up in a statement made by a Canadian Defense Force chaplain who stated, “Ethics instruction is always a leadership issue. The best person to teach ethics is the cmdr. It is always leadership and ethics, together.”
Brig. Gen. Reyah, Dir. of the Center for Military Values, Principles, and Leadership Development, explained to the group that Iraqi people are guided by 3 types of principles: family, societal, and governmental principles. The development of an ethics education program for the IA within the identified principles created significant discussion. During an impromptu dinner address, IA Maj. Gen. Fezaa, chief of the Iraqi National Defense University, told the audience the IA now serves the Iraqi people, and the country is now more secure than ever.
At the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., the Iraqi delegation worked closely with members of both the Academy and the Army Ethic Centers to gain an understanding of how the U.S. Army approaches character development.
The Simon Center for Professional Military Ethic presented a comprehensive overview of the character development and ‘officership’ programs for the 4,400 member Corps of Cadets. The 4 traits essential to officership were discussed in detail: Warrior, Leader of Character, Servant of the Nation, and Member of a Profession.
The Iraqi delegation also brainstormed possible approaches to values training in the IA with members of the Army Center of Excellence for the Professional Military Ethic. The workshop identified competence and character as 2 equal requirements in U.S. Army Soldier development, and explored what it means to be a member of a “profession of arms.” Mohan articulated the challenges of developing ethics in Soldiers and leaders who either do not understand military values, or do not want to accept them as a result of 35 years of repression under the old Saddam regime.
While at West Point, the delegation learned about the U.S. Army’s Officer Career Progression and met with the only Iraqi cadet at West Point, now is in his third year. The trip culminated with discussions with U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Hagenbeck, the Academy superintendent, and Brig. Gen. Linnington, the commandant of cadets.
As a result of relationships formed during the visit and insights gained from the ethics panels, Fezaa stated he would “incorporate ethics more deeply into the IA officer education programs, and engage the IA bde cmdrs. to ensure that values and principles are delivered to all Soldiers and leaders.”
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JSS Ghazaliyah Returned to Iraqi Police
(By Sgt. Brian Tierce)
Members of the North Ghazaliyah Patrol Police celebrate the transfer of JSS Ghazaliyah IV back to Iraqi control, Feb. 14, in the Ghazaliyah neighborhood of northwest Baghdad.
BAGHDAD — After spending the first 4 months of their deployment overseeing security between the Kadhamiyah and Mansour districts of northwest Baghdad, Troopers of the 5th Sqdrn, 4th Cav Regt said their goodbyes to their JSS and their ISF counterparts.
“Today is a great example of the Coalition fulfilling its obligation under the Security Agreement,” said Lt. Col. John Richardson IV, cmdr., 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt. “Each day that goes by we see the Iraqi SF become more capable, and it gives us the opportunity to step back and allow Iraqis to solve Iraqi problems.”
Prior to the signing of the agreement, the U.S. Soldiers conducted every patrol under the Security Agreement’s conditions to ensure the transition to combined ops would go smoothly. The lessons learned during this period not only improved the effectiveness of the fighting force in Ghazaliyah, it also served to prepare the ISF members for their eventual assumption of responsibility for the area.
“Transferring this JSS to full Iraqi control is another giant step in validating the work the IP have done,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Mattingly. “It not only represents the advent of a more modern Iraq, but also the strength of our commitment to working with the citizens of Iraq to shape with them a brighter future.”
“The leader here, Maj. Ghanim, has made great strides with his org. both in leadership and its overall capacity,” said Richardson. “As a result, the assessment was made that this leader and his org. were ready to take the lead and provide security for the population.”
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ISF, MND-B Soldiers capture suspected criminal, prevent attack
BAGHDAD - Iraqi SF and MND-Baghdad Soldiers captured a suspected criminal as he was about to attack a convoy, Feb. 15 in the Mansour district of NW Baghdad.
At approx. 6:40 p.m., Soldiers from the 2nd HBCT, 1st ID, positively identified and engaged with accurate small arms fire a suspected criminal approaching the convoy, carrying two hand held, shaped-charge grenades. When wounded, the individual dropped an already armed grenade, causing it to detonate.
ISF and MND-B Forces apprehended the alleged criminal and safely recovered the other hand held, shaped-charged grenade, as well as one fragmentation grenade. MND-B Soldiers treated and transported the alleged criminal to a Coalition medical facility for numerous injuries suffered in the ensuing blast.
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Blackanthem Military News
ISF, MND-B Soldiers detain two suspected criminals, confiscate weapons
BAGHDAD - Feb. 14, while conducting operations in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, at approx. 8:30 p.m. IA Soldiers partnered with 1st BCT, 4th ID detained 2 suspected criminals for terrorist activities using Baghdad Ops Center warrants from 2 different neighborhoods in the Shurta community.
In the Saydiyah neighborhood at approx. 10:30 p.m., IA Soldiers partnered with 1st BCT, 4th ID, confiscated 11 AK-47 assault rifles, an SKS assault rifle and 2 pistols while conducting neighborhood clearance ops.
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Blackanthem Military News
Afghan Commandos capture suspected weapons facilitator in Farah Province
By US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs
KABUL - Afghan National Army (ANA) Commandos with the 207th Commando Kandak and CF, captured a suspected weapons facilitator in Anar Dara district of Farah Province, Feb. 14. The district is located on the far western side of the province bordering Iran.
The Commandos raided the suspect’s compound while CF formed a security perimeter. After the combined force positively identified the suspected weapons facilitator, the Commandos took him into custody. He is believed to have been supplying insurgent forces with weapons, munitions, IED making materials, and financing insurgent activities throughout western Afghanistan.
"The ANA continue to lead ops that support counter insurgency ops, in efforts to bring security to the Afghan people," said Major Gen. Azimi, Chief spokesman for the Afghan MoD. "As the Army continues to increase its capability the insurgents will grow to realize that they will be defeated."
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Blackanthem Military News
ANA and Coalition forces kill Taliban commander in Farah Province
By US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs
KABUL - Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers and CF conducted an early morning search of a suspected insurgent compound, Feb. 15, near the village of Khak-e-Safid in Farah Province. The search resulted in the killing of a Taliban cmdr.
When combined forces entered the compound, the militant had an AK-47 rifle aimed at them. CF fired on the subject in self-defense, killing him. ANA and CF positively identified the militant as a known senior Taliban cmdr. and weapons facilitator within Farah Province.
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