Dear Interested Reader,
Bravo Det., the Blackhawks doing great work at Camp Taji and FOB War Eagle. US forces and Iraqi officials are working together to restore ancient monuments. Kirkuk silo updrades to boost region's agriculture and economy. Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Debbink visits MNSTC-1. Mahmudiyah Judges, IP meet to discuss Rule of Law. NP train to protect Iraq's people, resources. In Afghan, SF shouldering more responsibility.
Joanna
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March 15, 2009
Blackanthem Military News
"Blackhawks" on the rise
By Capt. Camilla M. Swain
CAMP TAJI - It has been nearly a month since Bravo Det, 101st Financial Management Company (FM), Fort Campbell, Ky. also known as the Blackhawks, landed here.
Bravo Det received short notice they were deploying and immediately assumed responsibility of their wartime mission. Upon arrival, Bravo Det. 101st FM Co., 10th Sust Bde Troops Bn (SBTB), 10th Sust Bde (SBDR), without delay started training with its predecessor unit, Delta Det., 24th FM Co, 10th SBTB, 10th SBDE. Within a week, Bravo Det. 101st FM Co. assumed responsibility of the finance mission here and at FOB War Eagle, providing direct support to both and area support to Sadr City and North Baghdad. The det. consists of 22 personnel including 3 located at the finance office at FOB War Eagle. The Det. holds each other accountable and pushes one another to be the very best they can be. Every section leader has at least 2 Soldiers enrolled in college and graduate courses, pursuing and continuing their education, in addition to conducting the wartime mission.
The Military Pay section picked right up where they left off from at Fort Campbell. The section consists of the Chief of Military Pay, SSgt. Wilfredo Garcia of Carolina, Puerto Rico, and 2 Military Pay Analysts, Cpl. Lucrecia Ruffin and Spc. Jason Kucza; and 2 Military Pay Techs, Spc. Maribel Guerrero, and Spc. Christian Lemont. They have processed more than 3,750 transactions with a 99% accuracy rating. "Every member of the team knows their place and their importance within the Military Pay section."
The Commercial Vendor Services (CVS) and Disbursing Section from both Camp Taji and FOB War Eagle hit the ground running and assumed the mission without missing a beat. These 2 areas require attention to detail and endurance with a smile. The CVS section, led by Staff Sgt. Leroy Hunter said, "The key factors of our success manifests in the junior leadership. I am fortunate to have strong NCOs with research capabilities who stay in the DODFMR's. This is filtering down to the Soldiers who take pride in their work, and find ways daily to exceed the standard. My section is a family first that cares about matters beyond the work place, thus ensuring mission accomplishment and beyond." His team members include 2 certifiers, Sgt. Felicia Burnett and Sgt. Jason Cooley, and 3 CVS clerks, Spc. Brygette Harris, Spc. Efrain Santiago from Sidra, Puerto Rico, and Spc. Jonathan Campbell. Since arriving to Camp Taji, his team has processed in excess of $3.3 million in contract and other miscellaneous payments.
2nd Lt. Katherine Palesky heads the Disbursing Section at Camp Taji. Her team consists of Sgt. William Bungard, the section NCOIC, and 4 cashiers, Spc. Deshon Massey, Spc. Emily Pelchat, Spc. Amanda Tillotson, and Pfc. Xin Bi. FOB War Eagle is headed by SSgt. Colbie Jackson. His team consists of a certifier, Spc. Daniel Valoaga, and a cashier, Spc. Josh Lee. These 2 sections have processed more than 5,000 transactions and disbursed more than $3 million since taking over the mission. They each attribute their success to their teamwork. Spc. Tillotson, cashier, states, "I personally enjoy a challenge and helping out fellow Soldiers. I have learned a lot in a short time along with the rest of the Disbursing squad, whom I am proud to work with. I think I am successful because I take pride in my work and our mission here at Camp Taji."
Within the last month, the Bravo Det., 101st FM Co. has fully grasped the mission and the service that we provide to Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, Contractors, DOD Civilians, as well as Postal and AAFES. We look forward to serve Camp Taji and surrounding areas. Blackhawks on the rise!
(From bottom to top, left to right) The Bravo Det 101st FM Co, 10th SBTB, 10th Sust Bde Commercial Vendor Services section asking for more contracts! Spc. Brygette Harris, SSgt Leroy Hunter, Sgt. Felicia Burnett, Sgt. Jason Cooley, Spc. Jonathan Campbell, and Spc. Efrain Santiago from Sidra, Puerto Rico. (Photos by Capt. Camilla Swain)
(From left to right) Bravo Det 101st FM Co, 10th SBTB, 10th Sust Bde disbursing has balanced early! Spc. Emily Pelchat, Spc. Amanda Tillotson, Sgt. William Bungard, Pfc. Xin Bi, 2nd Lt. Katherine Palesky, and Spc. Deshon Massey.
Protecting the community! SSgt. Ryan Cunningham and Spc. Michael Long, from the 252nd MP Det, 4th ID, conducts their daily checks with Disbursing NCO in-charge, Sgt. William Bungard.
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Leaders Aim to Restore Historic Sites
This temple in Naffur is said to be the site for the meeting of Sumerian gods, as well as the place that man was created.
(Army photo and story by Pfc. Jasmine N. Walthall)
CAMP STRIKER — U.S. forces and Iraqi officials are working together to restore ancient monuments in Iraq. Army Brig. Gen. Jefforey Smith, dep. comm. gen. of support for MND-Center and the 10th Mtn Div, escorted Iraq’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Qahtan Jubouri, through the ancient cities of Ur and Nuffar, March 10. “The purpose of this visit was to have the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities meet with public state officials to talk about future projects that are under consideration to reconstruct and excavate some of these sites,” Smith said.
Ur is one of the most well-known ancient sites in Iraq. It was once the capital of the ancient civilization of Sumeria. The city is mentioned several times in the Bible as “Ur of the Chaldees,” and is the birthplace of Abraham. It once stood on the banks of the Euphrates prior to the shift in the river, and is home to the best-preserved ziggurat, a raised platform, in Iraq.
Nippur, which is now modern-day Nuffar, is an ancient city in southeastern Iraq. Ruins from a temple that once housed administrative, economic and religious functions are still there. The temple, called E-kur, is said to be the home of the god Enlil, and where man is said to have been created. More than 40,000 tablets have been recovered in the ruins.
Jubouri also met with archeologists from area museums. “It is humanity’s duty to preserve this site,” Abdul Hamdani, dir. of the Inspectorate of Dhi Qar, said. “We must take advantage of this duty.” Hamdani also pointed out that it was “necessary and urgent that more attention and care be paid to the structures in order to maintain the existing buildings.” Looking ahead, “Along with amenities for tourism, we'll make it a haven for tourism and bring all the visitors and tourists from all over the world,” Jubouri said. “It is important that we revitalize this land,” Jubouri added. “The Iraqi people will remember what the American people have done for them.”
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Kirkuk silo upgrades to boost region's agriculture, economy
New construction at the Kirkuk grain silo started March 10. The silo operates in downtown Kirkuk city.
(Army photos by Pfc. Justin Naylor)
FOB WARRIOR, KIRKUK - Provincial leaders in Kirkuk can't control the weather, but they are preparing for it as 2009 marks the 4th straight year the Northern Iraqi province of Kirkuk has received diminished rainfall, according to weather data from the U.S. Air Force. The anticipated drought is expected to hinder the agricultural economic market throughout the province.
Kirkuk has started a new construction project that will help the province more efficiently manage its agricultural production. The project was commemorated by a ground-breaking ceremony, March 10 to expand the capability of the grain silo in Kirkuk city. The renovations will drastically improve the capacity of the Kirkuk grain silo, which is expected to assist farmers in future droughts.
"Kirkuk is one of the major centers of the growth and production of grain," said Jim Vancura, senior agricultural advisor for FOB Warrior's PRT. "This silo really is a key node in agricultural production in Kirkuk province." The present production level at the silo is 35 metric tons of grain per hour. "We're trying to bring the production level up to a 100 metric ton-per-hour capacity, which will enable them to process more grain over a shorter period of time," Vancura said.
The grain silo was built in the early 1970s, but the equipment and technology it employs are much older, dating around the 1950s, said Ghassan A. Kadhim, a civil engr assisting in the renovations. "In order for Iraq to catch up with the rest of the world, we need to develop our agriculture," said Khadim. "Under the old regime, we were unable to move forward, but we are catching up."
Last year, a drought affected the ability of farmers to provide for their livestock. The GoI and CF sustained farmers with cheaper cattle feed during the hottest part of the summer, and at the same time, laid the groundwork for the silo project. "Last year was a very serious drought, as it is this year," explained Vancura. "As a short-term solution, we obtained some 3,700 metric tons of feed barley. We sold that at under-market prices to the farmers to help sustain and maintain the livestock through Kirkuk province. With the proceeds from that sale, we were able to do this renovation project."
"Last year, the silo helped sustain some 25% of local farmers' livestock," said Akram A. Dewana, mgr of General Company for Seeds Trading. Dewana said the silo renovations will continue to cut the cost of grain, giving great opportunity to 1,945 farms in the area. "The efficient op of this silo will reduce the cost of grain for farmers and return money to their pockets," said Dewana.
Jim Vancura strikes dirt with a golden shovel symbolizing the start of renovations and construction.
Visitors read a plaque commemorating the start of renovations.
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Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348
U.S. Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Debbink visits MNSTC-I
BAGHDAD – U.S. Navy Reserve Vice Adm Dirk Debbink, Chief of the Navy Reserve, visited Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq (MNSTC-1), March 12. He's in Iraq to say “thank you for your service” to over 3,000 Navy reservists here in theater. Debbink hosted a dinner for MNSTC-I’s Navy Reserve personnel in the Phoenix Base dining facility.
Debbink is attending meetings and briefs at various commands “to hear what we're doing right, and how we can better support our deployed Sailors and their families, and become more proactive at it.” Debbink said, “Our first stop was in Bahrain to see what the folks there are doing in supporting sailors that are in Iraq. From there, we stopped in Kuwait to visit a Navy Maritime Expedition Sqdrn, and get on one of their 37 ft. patrol boats.”
He remarked on what he's hearing from Sailors along the way saying, “I’ve gathered a real sense of professionalism and enthusiasm; it’s truly amazing. I know the living conditions are not the greatest, but everyone is still doing their best every day."
Concerning the Navy’s Individual Augmentees working alongside Army and AF personnel, Debbink remarked, “At every stop I’ve made along the way, at each command, each general or colonel raves about the skill sets that the IAs bring to the fight, from both their civilian jobs and their military experience. “
When asked about the Navy continuing the Individual Augmentation program in the future, Debbink said, “We are still seeing a steady demand even as we draw down here in Iraq. As far as Afghanistan, the numbers are in the hundreds, as opposed to the thousands like we’ve had here in Iraq.”
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Mahmudiyah judges, Iraqi Police meet to discuss Rule of Law
Mahmudiyah IP take notes while listening to Iraqi judges from their district.
(Army Photo, Capt. Jamie Rodriguez)
BAGHDAD - Iraqi judges from Mahmudiyah met with local IP to learn proper investigative techniques in order to protect human rights and adhere to the rule of law, at the Mahmudiyah public library in Mahmudiyah, March 12.
Brig. Gen. Abed, Mahmudiyah IP district cmdr, and Brig. Gen. Talib, IP bn dep cmdr, brought 40-50 IP to the conference with judges from the Mahmudiyah court house. The meeting was the first between the 2 groups. "This was a historic event for Mahmudiyah, and a true sign of progress that the IP and Iraqi judges were talking to each other. Investigative training for the IPs has been conducted successfully in other provinces, but this is the first time that it has happened in Mahmudiyah, and it shows what can happen when there are good security conditions in the Qada," said Capt. Jamie Rodriguez, Judge Advocate Gen. attorney, 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Div.
Another goal of the conference was to start a dialogue between the local Judges and the IPs in the Mahmudiyah area, with the desired effect of having more arrests and convictions based on good forensics and police investigation. The IP currently have many new recruits who may not understand proper evidence collection techniques, and don't communicate with the judges.
"It (the conference) was important because it gets the police talking to the judges and asking them questions to get their legal opinions," said Lt. Col. Matthew McKenna, dep. comm. officer, 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div. "It becomes even more important for the future of Iraq once the IA starts to leave the urban areas and the police start taking over (providing protection to the Iraqi people)."
During the conference, the judges and the IP leadership discussed crime scene investigation, and at the end of the meeting several investigators had the chance to ask the judges questions regarding specific fact scenarios. The judges explained their reasoning for requiring certain evidence, mostly because of the strict process for both warrants and convictions under Iraqi law.
The IPs and Iraqi judges, working much more closely together, is a step in the right direction when it comes to making improvements in the investigation process, according to Rodriguez. "The IP were able to see the judges, and became aware that the judges are approachable, and should be more involved in the police investigative process, whereas before the judges were removed from the process, leading to poor police reports and insufficient evidence to convict criminals," said Rodriguez.
The security situation in Mahmudiyah has improved a great deal over the past year and allows Iraqis to have meetings such as this that were unthinkable a year or two ago, according to Rodriguez. The role of the IP is and will continue to be vital, as the CF leave Iraq and the IA withdraw from the cities. MND-B Soldiers are providing the IP the tools to succeed in this mission, as they take over local security.
"Today was the beginning of the IP and the Iraqi Judges working together and we hope for more events like this one in Mahmudiyah in the future," said Brig. Gen. Abed, the Mahmudiyah District Cmdr.
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National police train to protect Iraq's people, resources
Army Capt. Michael Langan instructs IP in proper detainee searches.
(Army Photo by Capt. Jeff Johnson)
BASRA - The 2nd NP Bn, Basra Bde patrols the roads and pipelines that move Iraq's oil resources daily, and on March 11 at their Rumaylah HQ, they trained to improve their police officer skills. Their day started with running as part of their physical conditioning program prior to getting into the day's training, which included effective search of detainees and evidence collection. Searching detainees and collecting evidence at the scene can be essential for safety, and for establishing culpability of those who would steal or disrupt the peace in the NP's area of responsibility.
The mission of the 2nd NP Bn is to protect the Iraqi oil infrastructure and secure the highways in their sector, which spreads as far north as the Euphrates river and southwest of the city of Al Zubayr. This includes protecting oil for in-country use, and oil for export that converges at Ramaylah and goes on to Al Faw for int'l exportation.
"We were the Fourth Region Commandos for the Dept of Border Enforcement, but were reflagged last April after the Basrah Op (Op Charge of the Knights)," said Col. Abdu Kareem, comm. officer of the 2nd NP's. He said that the 2nd NPs have stopped vehicles from stealing oil from the Iraqi national oil co. and are preventing oil pipeline sabotage.
Kareem said that his 2nd NPs, referred to as "Shurta" in Arabic, also ensure the safety of people on highways through checkpoints.
Most of the 2nd NP's are from Basrah, and have a vested interested in protecting the region in which they live. "They run the gambit of everyday ops to mission specific ops as well as performing civil military ops," said U.S. Army Capt. Michael Langan, the primary U.S. NPTT instructor for the detainee search class. "Once they are done here they will send them out to their check points, and then apply what they have learned," said Langan.
Army Capt. Langan instructs IP in proper detainee searches.
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In Unison
Iraqi Soldiers show U.S. Army MSgt. Robert Eplee the hand signal for a closed door entry on JSS Kdhimiya, March 2, 2009.
(AF photo by Senior Airman Daniel Owen)
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American Forces Press Service
Afghan Security Forces shouldering more responsibility
by John J. Kruzel
Afghan NP march, demonstrating the discipline they've learned over the past eight weeks, before their graduation from Shouz Regional Training Center, Herat province, Afghanistan.
WASHINGTON – The Afghan NA continues to improve as it assumes more security responsibility, the U.S. cmdr in charge of the training effort said March 5.
Since its inception about 6 years ago, the corps of Afghan soldiers has grown to an 80,000-strong force that increasingly takes the lead role in security ops, Army Maj. Gen. Richard P. Formica said. Formica -- who commands Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan, responsible for Afghan national SF growth and training -- acknowledged that progress with the army has outpaced progress with the police. “As we look out towards 2009 and into 2010, we must sustain the momentum that is with the Afghan NA while adding focus to the Afghan NP,” he told reporters here via video teleconference.
Appearing with Formica, who assumed command in Nov., was Canadian army Brig. Gen. Alan Howard, asst comm. gen. for Afghan NA development. Howard, who has helped to oversee Afghan NA development for nearly a year, said the army has undergone an “amazing evolution,” has garnered the respect of the local populace and continues to expand its capabilities.
“The Afghan army is certainly and fully participating in security ops here in Afghanistan. And in many cases, they actually lead,” he said, adding that the corps is focused on growing to 134,000 soldiers by Dec. 2011. In recent weeks, the Afghan army has shown its humanitarian capabilities, assisting flood victims in northern Afghanistan and acting as first responders in some cases of domestic crises, Howard said. “They're also extremely well respected by the local population,” he said. “Each time I'm out with them, I am simply amazed on the interface that they have with the locals.”
U.S. Army Col. Stephen Yackley, deputy to the comm. gen. for Afghan NP development, said the NP force is focused on 3 areas: security ops, reform and development. Afghan police helped to provide security recently for voter registration ahead of an election cycle slated for August. Police also work side by side with their army counterparts on routine security missions throughout the country, he said. But the command also is focusing on tamping down corruption among the police ranks. The corruption often stems from the mishandling of police salaries, with about half being paid in cash, Yackley said. “Sometimes that pay wouldn't arrive,” he explained. “Sometimes because of literacy problems, the policemen would get less than they were supposed to. So there was potential for skimming in that area.”
The colonel said nearly 60% of the police force is receiving their salaries via electronic transfer, which is expected to reduce the level of corruption related to pay. But widespread illiteracy -- with CIA estimates citing 60% of Afghan’s male population as unable to read and write -- exacerbates more than the issue of corruption. “We've got good people, hardworking people, in many cases, but literacy does hold us back in some of the development areas, and we're trying to address that as we go along,” Yackley said.
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