Dear Interested Reader,
Louisiana NG Engrs. invite Iraqi partners to Mardi Gras celebration. Fresh drinking water flows in Kalamat. Iraqi-Chinese oil deal begins in Wasit. Iraq takes "huge strides" toward Independence. Diwaniyah welcomes new Primary Health Care Center. Saqlawiya provisional SF find multiple caches, while in Kirkuk, caches are seized, and a known bomb maker captured. In Afghanistan, Border Police and CF kill 7 militants and detain 5.
Joanna
_____________________________________
March 13, 2009
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Louisiana Engineers Invite Iraqi Partners to Mardi Gras Celebration
By Sgt. Rebekah Malone
Col. Ahmed Saddam, cmdr of the 6th IA Engrs, shares in dance with his Louisiana National Guard partners from the 225th Engr Bde, during a Mardi Gras themed celebration on Camp Liberty, March 7.
BAGHDAD – U.S. Soldiers with the 225th Engineer Brigade didn’t get enough of Mardi Gras on the actual holiday — so they celebrated 2 weeks late with their Iraqi engineer partners here, March 7. “Engineer Call,” a monthly social intended to bring both U.S. and Iraqi Army Engrs together in a casual atmosphere, aims at forging a strong relationship between both groups. This month’s social, the first held by the Louisiana-based engrs, did not disappoint.
Gumbo, the 1st Cav Div Jazz Band, hundreds of colored beads and an indescribable, almost electric spirit, created a night in Iraq the 6th IA would not soon forget. “When everybody got there, they could feel the atmosphere was different,” Lt. Col. LaDenna Piper, originally from New Orleans said. “We shared a part of our state with everyone, and they got to see the best Louisiana has to offer; the joy of friendship, the joy of song and the joy of life. That’s what Mardi Gras is all about.” Piper explained Iraqis have the same love of family and religion that is celebrated during Mardi Gras. “We should use that sameness to bridge our differences. We’re more alike than you think we are, and that’s what we need to focus on,” Piper said.
Col. Ahmed Saddam, Iraqi cmdr, told the crowd of several hundred Soldiers that he would never forget the Mardi Gras experience, and it had touched his heart in a special way. He also said it is a life goal of his to make it to a genuine Mardi Gras in Louisiana one day.
Donations from ‘Op Overseas Mardi Gras’ established by the group ‘Soldier’s Angels’ assisted in transforming the plain courtyard area on Camp Liberty into Bourbon Street for the evening. Hanging lights, street signs and colorful décor created an ambiance reminiscent of many evenings spent in the French Quarter. “The street signs were perfect; they gave it a New Orleans feel to it,” said Piper. “Putting the jazz combo next to one of the lamp posts struck a cord. The sunset was beautiful and the music just touched me.”
-30-
Fresh Drinking Water Flows in Kalamat
By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
A local boy fills water jugs for his family at the water filtration facility ribbon-cutting ceremony in Kalamat village, March 9.
FOB DELTA — Residents of Kalamat used to travel 8 kms on dusty dirt roads to Badra to fill plastic containers with drinking water. Thanks to a Cmdr’s Emergency Response Program water filtration project, residents now have clean drinking water at the flick of a switch right in the heart of their village.
“We want to thank CF and the Iraqi co. that provided the filtration system,” said Jameel Bashar, a Kalamat resident. “Now we can drink really good, clean drinking water.”
The project began when a Civil Affairs Team (CAT) visited the village and asked the shaykh how they could help. That team was replaced by CAT 641, who continued the effort. “This village needed a lot of help, and the shaykh explained the difficulties of getting drinking water to the village, especially when it rains in the winter which sometimes washes out the road,” said Capt. Eric Currence, CAT 641 cmdr.
To commemorate the completion of the project, Currence and Bashar, the shaykh’s brother and rep for the village, cut the ribbon officially opening the facility, March 9. “The system filters 1,000 liters per hour,” said Ra’ad Anhi, system operator. “This is just another example of Iraqis helping Iraqis with the Coalition’s help,” said Currence.
-30-
Iraqi, Chinese Oil Deal Begins in Wasit
By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
FOB DELTA — Iraq’s Oil Minister and Chinese National Petroleum Co (CNPC) delegates cut the ribbon at the Ahdeb oil field near here, March 11.
“This project will provide a number of jobs and opportunities for investment, which will provide the province with electricity and power to operate the power station in Zurbadiyah, and to help to contribute to the development and prosperity of this province,” said Hussein Al-Shahristani, Iraqi oil minister.
The CNPC originally signed an agreement with Iraq’s govt in 1996, but it was postponed due to U.N. sanctions and then OIF. A new deal was brokered Nov. 2008 between the CNPC and Baghdad. “We look at this opportunity as the start of rebuilding the prosperity of Wasit,” said Abd Tarfah, Wasit gov. “This is the first investment project in Wasit and we hope it will last a long time.”
Waha Petroleum Co is contracted by the CNPC, and uses the same air and logistics co. that Kellogg, Brown and Root uses in supporting CF here. The co. coordinated with U.S. forces to use the airfield on FOB Delta in support of their ops. According to Col. Richard Francey, 41st Fires Bde and FOB Delta cmdr, the security situation in Wasit province is ready for other companies to bring in their business as well. “Being a partner with the local Iraqi SF, we will help them if they have any challenges, and be an enabling force in the superb Iraqi SF efforts in providing continued security to the province,” said Francey. “The security is set for many others to come here. The Chinese just happen to be the first,” he added. “This is a good thing in the long run for the province and the Iraqi people.”
According to Zhi Yulin, board chairman, Waha Petroleum Co, digging at the Ahdeb oil field is set to start in about a month, with production of oil estimated to reach 110,000 barrels per day.
-30-
Iraq Takes ‘Huge Strides’ Toward Independence
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON — Building a nation takes time, and progress shouldn’t be measured through Western standards, a senior Coalition cmdr said March 9, referring to Iraq’s future defense capabilities.
“There have been some huge steps forward, but there are a number of areas that we're going to have to develop in the near future to actually understand and allow the GoI to go forward as an independent nation,” British Army Brig Mark G. Lacey, dep. comm. gen. of Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq (MNSTC-I), told bloggers and online journalists during a “DoD Live” roundtable.
A significant challenge for the GoI, along with most other nations, is the world recession, Lacey said. “The GoI is experiencing a number of significant challenges in 2009 … with the drop in the price of oil; this has caused them a budget shortfall,” Lacey said. “They are facing the same challenges which both the govt of the UK and the govt of the U.S. have to deal with as we go through this world recession.”
-30-
Diwaniyah welcomes new Primary Healthcare Center
By Alicia Embrey
Gulf Region South district
DIWANIYAH – Local townspeople, Iraqi and American officials joined together March 8 to mark the opening of the new Al Jumhoury Primary Healthcare Clinic in Diwaniyah.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dr. al-Obaidy, Diwaniyah’s director general of health, thanked the local PRT, the USACE Gulf Region Division (GRD), and the Iraqi contractor for their efforts in building such a quality facility.
Ahmed A. Razak, a senior Iraqi deputy resident engr with GRD, pointed out that the state-of-the-art clinic includes 4 doctors’ offices with adjoining exam rooms, 2 dental exam rooms, an x-ray room, a lab, a pharmacy, 2 treatment rooms, and a classroom. “It is designed to provide basic medical care for this neighborhood’s 15,000 residents, and offers advanced diagnostic and monitoring capabilities for acute and chronic illnesses,” Razak added.
“Building this clinic took cooperation, courage and resolve, especially on the part of those Iraqis who helped design the project, oversaw its construction, and did the hard work of building it,” said Michael Klecheski, the team leader for Diwaniyah’s PRT. “Constructing facilities such as this one required a partnership between Iraq and the U.S.,” Klecheski added. “May this clinic always stand as a symbol of what working together can accomplish.”
Throughout Iraq, GRD has completed and turned over 132 primary healthcare clinics to the Iraqi Ministry of Health. The PHCs have the capacity to treat 4.6 million outpatients annually.
The GRD, HQ in Baghdad, is a joint effort comprised of Civilians, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Contractors. GRD provides quality and sustainable engineering in support of civil/military construction in Iraq. GRD and its Iraqi partners are building a strong foundation for Iraq's future.
-30-
Saqlawiya Provisional Security Forces find multiple caches
AL ASAD AIRBASE, - Saqlawiya Provisional SF discovered multiple weapon caches during a 2-day, partnered cache sweep northwest of Fallujah with 1st Bn, 7th Marine Regt, March 8 and 9.
The 8 total cache sites yielded 165 grenades and rockets, nearly 40 mortar rounds, 14 artillery rounds, several hundred rounds of small arms and anti-aircraft ammo, more than 225 pounds of rocket propellant and explosives, various weapons accessories, and a large stockpile of components normally used to create roadside bombs and IEDs.
-30-
IA mission finds caches, known bomb maker
FOB WARRIOR, KIRKUK - In the village of Murbat-Garha, March 7, Op Dark Horse Cossack was executed by IA Soldiers and the 4th Sqdrn, 9th Cav Regt, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav Div.
According to Lt. Col. Andy Shoffner, cmdr, 4th Sqdn., the IA and CF had warrants for suspected insurgents wanted by the GoI. The force was also searching for hiddenvweapons caches that might be used for insurgent activities in thevregion. "The IA went into the village, cordoned off the town, and detained 10 individuals as they were attempting to flee the town," said 2nd Lt. Gen Mui, asst ops officer, 4th Sqdn. "One of the individuals captured was on the wanted list," said Shoffner. "He was a known bomb maker and was wanted by the govt in Baghdad as well."
The Soldiers also uncovered a weapons cache from an irrigation ditch in a farmer's field which contained a 120 mm artillery round, an automatic weapon and a video.
The IA planned and executed the op, which showed their progress at conducting military ops with minimal support from CF. "We spent a few hours helping them detail the plans for the op," said Shoffner. "When the day came for the mission, they led off exactly on time and every IA Soldier did his part in the op."
"Our job in the village was to support the Iraqis," said 1st Lt. Jonathan Mole, plt leader, 2nd Plt, Apache Troop, 4th Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt. "We were here to provide aerial support, military working dogs and EOD services. They were in the lead, and we were assisting them in a small role."
"Insurgents attempt to control the populace," said Mui. "They steal valuable resources and use them to disrupt the lives of the citizens and the govt. When the IA takes the terrorists out of these villages, they give its citizens the opportunity to establish normal lives free of the fear associated with these insurgents. Missions like this also show the Iraqis that its military is capable of taking care of its own problems without CF having to lead the way."
-30-
Another Kirkuk weapons cache discovered
FOB WARRIOR - A team of Iraqi and U.S. Army Soldiers discovered a weapons cache near the village of Thalaw, March 6. This was the second cache discovered in Kirkuk in less than a week.
The weapons cache included grenades, rockets, 82mm and 60mm mortars, a machine gun, a RPG launcher and various types of small arms ammo. The cache was safely disposed of by a joint Iraqi and U.S. Army EOD team.
"What was really impressive was how prepared the IA Soldiers were," said Cpt. Cory Clayton, co cmdr, E Co, 1st Bn, 8th Cav Regt, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav Div. "Their analysis was detailed and accurate. They conducted very professional rehearsals, and found 2 of the 3 holes using their own equipment."
-30-
At Play
Army Sgt. Stephen Covell and an Iraqi girl go down a slide at the playground during the reopening of the Al-Moutasam Kindergarten, March 3, 2009, in the Rusafa district of eastern Baghdad.
(Army photo by Georges Aboumrad)
-30-
Blackanthem Military News
Afghan Border Police, CF kill seven militants, detain five
KABUL - In Khowst City (Khost, Matun), Khowst Province, approx. 150 km southeast of Kabul, a joint force conducted combat ops to further disrupt the Haqqani leaders in Pakistan. When the combined Afghan and CF arrived at the targeted compound, they were engaged by multiple armed militants using small-arms fire in a populated, urban area. The combined force returned fire, killing 4 militants and injuring one. One armed militant who had fled the compound on foot was captured and detained. Three other militants were detained without incident. A search of the compound revealed weapons, explosives and IED-making materials. Fourteen women and 26 children were protected.
In Maywand District, Kandahar Province, approx. 80 km west of Kandahar, a combined Afghan and CF conducted 2 ops to disable a mid-level Taliban cmdr responsible for conducting ops in Maywand District. Based on info, provided by a local Afghan, forces targeted a compound where a militant was staying. When the force reached the compound, an enemy combatant engaged them and was killed. A search of the compound revealed multiple weapons and grenades, which were destroyed outside the compound, minimizing collateral damage.
At a second location, 2 armed militants were killed during combat ops. A search of the compound revealed weapons and grenades, which were destroyed a safe distance from people and structures, minimizing collateral damage. Eight women and 14 children were protected.
-30-