Dear Interested Reader,
New school is enjoyed by some of Diwaniya's brightest female students. The Port of Umm Qasr security improves with the graduation of SF from a security course. IP complete their air assault training. Basra farmers receive tractors and generators. Iraqis increase curb appeal in the ad-Fadhil market. Marshland children will soon have their first "Mudhif" school.
In Afghanistan, CF kill militants in Kandahar province. In Helmand province's Sangin area, combined forces discover weapons, as well as raw opium and homemade explosives. They successfully capture a known Taliban sympathizer and financial supporter.
Joanna
______________________________________
March 11, 2009
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Brightest Girls Enjoy New School
Students at the Irshad Secondary School for Girls wave flags and display flowers as they sing and chant during the opening ceremony of the school.
(Photo and story by Sgt. Rodney Foliente)
CAMP ECHO — Some of Diwaniya’s brightest female students happily participated in their new school’s opening, Feb. 26. The Irshad Secondary School for Girls, which enrolls some of the brightest teen girls in the city, was built by the USACE working with the local govt, contractors and laborers.
“With my partners, the Iraqi engrs, and with diligent effort, we were able to provide for you this beautiful school,” said Lt. Col. Dwight Davies, with USACE. “It's a great joy and privilege to provide an opportunity for such gifted young ladies to learn and evolve and support the future of Iraq.”
The students of this school are among the top 20% of young female students from within and around the city. “We are happy for this school. It is very nice,” said a young student in English. She then showed off and said it in French and Arabic. “Our old school was too small and not ours. We borrowed it, shared it with others,” she said, describing the crowded situations, and sometimes being unable to have a full day of school.
The size of the school provides a better environment for teaching these girls, said Shuhad, an English-speaking teacher. “I have girls of my own,” she said, explaining why she wanted to teach young girls. Shuhad said she enjoys teaching and is happy for the new school. “I can participate in helping small girls in building their personalities, and to be good people and good members of society, to build the future of Iraq,” said Shuhad.
“I have three kids, so for me it’s pretty inspiring and pleasant to see students with so much energy and enthusiasm. I was so impressed,” said Mike Klecheski, PRT leader for Diwaniya province. “This country is making a lot of progress, and to the extent that we can be partners in this progress is wonderful,” said Klecheski. He stressed the importance of the partnership with the GoI. “We work very closely with them,” he said. “Construction of a school like this is really a partnership, in every sense of the word.” He said efforts such as the opening of the school help strengthen the bond between the 2 countries, and develops a greater working relationship to benefit the sovereignty of Iraq. “Not only are we dealing with Iraqis, but we’re dealing with the future generation of leaders and elites,” said Klecheski.
“It was a great day and a lot of fun.” Klecheski continued. “It’s days like this that really make this a fantastic job, because you really feel like you’re directly contributing. This is a culmination of a lot of work, and it’s nice to be able to celebrate that. We are so happy that Iraq is making such great progress.”
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Umm Qasr security improves through training
Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy Joe Castro evaluates baggage searching techniques of travel hall security personnel.
Umm Qasr - The int'l traveler hall at the port of Umm Qasr became a safer place with the graduation of 33 members of its SF from a building security course, March 5.
"We are working to make our security team as good as any other security team in ports of entrée throughout the world," said Mr. Affaq Jameel, the travel hall mgr at Umm Qasr's port of entrée traveler hall through an interpreter.
The training focused on developing effective and professional person and baggage searching techniques with the travel halls security guards, who are the first people to be seen by travelers at the port of Umm Qasr. The training was requested by Jameel, as one of his identified areas for overall improvement. The techniques taught in the course were chosen to meet the training needs of the travel hall personnel, and are a product of trial and error by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The course was led by Christopher McBride a Supervisory Customs and Border Protection Officer at the Area Port of Jacksonville, Florida, who instructed the participants through the techniques that have served him through his career.
The class teaches them to look for any kind of contraband with the goal of building security. He added an example that occurred a few days prior when the travel hall security force prevented unauthorized birds from being brought into Iraq. He emphasized what to look for and the importance of knowing human behavior in their jobs, so that they can effectively decide which people to conduct a full search of before entering the traveler hall.
"It's encouraging to be back in this region after having been gone for 2 years and to see the advancement, the changes for the better that have come," McBride said. "As a taxpayer, as a civilian back home, it's encouraging to see that we're making a difference, and that the Iraqi's are taking charge of their future. Pretty soon we will have a strong democratic ally in this region."
U.S. Army Maj. Timothy Sean Tyson, Cmdr of the port of entrée transition team, who are augmented by McBride and Richard Rodriguez, a contract instructor and retired U.S. Customs officer, said that the class graduation is the completion of the first phase for the joint travel hall security plan with Jameel. The second phase is for training implementation at each of the entrée points to the travel hall. This will include diligent follow through with the training techniques provided during the building security course.
The end state will be a combination of using contemporary security technology with additional training added to this week's course for a proficient and professional travel hall security team. "The big picture is for the travel hall security personnel to be trained in person and baggage search, to ensure the safety for the people who work in the travel hall and for the passengers who are travelling from Dubia to Iraq and vice versa via the ferry," said Tyson.
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Iraqi Police Complete Air Assault Training
By Pfc. Rebekah Lampman
IP from the Dhi Qar province pull security during an air assault training event with U.S. Soldiers at Camp Cedar, March 2.
(Photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens)
COB ADDER — Seven IP jumped out of UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and hit the dirt at Camp Cedar’s landing zone during an air assault training exercise, March 2. "I'm very happy," said Maj. Gen. Sabah, Dhi Qar’s Iraqi provincial chief of Police. "With this training from the CF, my men are going to be able to use the air as well as the ground to go after the terrorists and arrest them. Without this we would not be as knowledgeable and trained as we are now."
During the exercise, the IP’s secured 4 buildings and detained 3 suspected criminals after exiting the helicopters. They also found a weapons cache, important documents and treated one injured Iraqi.
“We're always trying to increase their abilities to plan and conduct missions," said Capt. Christopher Kelshaw, a 1st Cav Div co cmdr. "They met all of our goals, but we will still train them to an even higher standard of tactical ops."
This training demonstrated the Iraqi’s abilities to issue warrants according to Iraqi law, develop target packets for high-value individuals and conduct air assault missions, Kelshaw explained. "It shows the Iraqi SF are one step closer to becoming independent," said Kelshaw, a 2-time combat veteran with 14 years of military service. "Little by little, we are taking less of a direct role in this effort."
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Basra farmers receive tractors, generators
British Maj. Gen. Salmon, addresses Basra's farmers.
(Army photos by Capt. Jeff Johnson)
BASRA - Basra farmers associations received 40 tractors and 4 generators in Ad Dayr at Camp Sa'ad during a ceremony, March 7.
The ceremony, which benefitted the Al Qurna, Al Medina, Shatt Al Arab and Abu Al Khaseeb farmers assns, represents one of 10 projects funded by U.S. cmdr's emergency response program money for the Basra province agricultural program. "It used to cost us 75,000 dinars per day for one of these tractors, but after today it should only cost us for the fuel and the driver. I would like to thank (MNF) for that," said Abd Khalid, a Basra farmer, through an interpreter.
Other agricultural projects that are part of this program reach as far south as Safwan, and as far north as Al Qurna, and include green houses, irrigation systems and other necessary equipment to support the agricultural redevelopment in Basra.
Sheik Qasay, the head of Basrah Province farmers assn, Sayad Muttar, Basrah Provincial Reconstruction Council Chairman, and British Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon, the General Officer in Command of MND- SE all spoke at the ceremony. "This is a wonderful example of a truly joint project where we work together as partners, listen to peoples needs and come together for the people of Iraq and your agricultural assns," said Salmon.
Farming is a traditional industry for southern Iraq and at one time employed up to 50% of Basra province residents. Many of the area's farmers currently rely on hand tools, due to a shortage of agricultural machinery and power. The farmers have had little support over the last 25 years but, in the past, Basra was a very productive farming area that produced up to 70% of Iraq's produce, said British Royal Navy Lt. Alan Paton, a Civil Military Ops project officer with MND-SE.
"The idea was if we can help improve their efficiency by providing greenhouses, tractors, irrigation systems, then we might be able to make them a little more productive, perhaps potentially stop the flow of farmers away from an industry that has been in southern Iraq for many years," Paton said.
Following a March 7 ceremony marking the receipt of 40 tractors and 4 generators, Basra farmers' assn farmers inspect the newly provided tractors.
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Steps to success in the al-Fadhil market
Lt. Col. Matthew Zajac (left), cmdr of the 46th Engr Bn, 225th Engr Bde, 1st Cav Div, discusses progress with a local Iraqi contractor responsible for the ongoing sidewalk construction project at the al-Fadhil market in the Rusafa district of Baghdad, March 9. In addition to this project, Zajac and his unit work side by side with Iraqi contractors to oversee multiple construction projects throughout the Baghdad area.
(U.S. Army photos by Scott Flenner)
A local Iraqi worker tamps down concrete bricks during the construction of a new sidewalk at the al-Fadhil market. Once completed, the new sidewalk will increase the curb appeal to this thriving Rusafa market.
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Marshland village to receive a 'Mudhif' style school
U.S. Navy Lt. Michael Pereira, Regional Contracting center-Basra, and Ihssan Al-Ali, Gen. Dir. for Al-Majerah G. Co. for general contracts, sign for the Marshlands' first school.
(Army photos by Capt. Jeff Johnson)
BASRA - Marshland children will soon benefit from its first school that will be built in a traditional style, partially out of reeds by an Iraqi company, following the signing of a contract at the Basra COB, March 8.
The new school will serve from 150 to 300 students between the ages of 6 and 12, and will be built at Rota village, which is in a remote marshland area northeast of Al Qurna. "What is unique about this project is that the school will have all the facilities for a modern day education, but it addresses the traditional heritage of the marsh Arabs within that area," said Peter Hunt, a project officer from Mott McDonald. "The school will be built in part from reeds that come from the marshes, harvested by the marsh Arabs and will be woven into this school."
The school has the support of the Basra Dir. Gen. of Education, who will be providing 4 teachers for the school. Basic math, reading and writing will be taught at the school. "The project is the result of a coordinated effort between
CF and the IA assessing needs with local sheikhs who asked for a school," said U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Lansden, Chief of Civil Military Ops.
The school's basic design is patterned after the mudhif, a large communal house made of reeds, paid for and maintained by a local sheikh, for use by guests or as a gathering place. The school will have a main hall, 4 classrooms, washing area with 10 common toilets, 2 sinks, a single male and a single female toilet and a couple of general purpose rooms. There is also land reserved nearby for a children's playing area.
The contracted $392,965 building is funded by the Iraqi Cmdr's Emergency Response Program. The school is scheduled to be completed at the end of May, and should be ready to provide services shortly afterward. "I hope it will be one of many buildings that will reflect the noble culture of the marsh Arabs," said Hunt.
Ihssan Al-Ali, Ian Elliot of Mott McDonald, and U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Lansden, Chief of Civil Military Ops for MND-SE, shake hands following the signing of the Marshlands' school contract signing.
Artist sketch of the future Rota village school.
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IA, MND-B Soldiers find homemade explosive material in NW Baghdad
BAGHDAD - In the Ghazaliyah neighborhood of NW Baghdad, March 9, at approx. noon, IA Soldiers and Soldiers serving with the 5th Sqdrn, 4th Cav Regt, 2nd HBCT, 1st ID, discovered a weapons cache that contained 75 bags of homemade explosive material.
An Iraqi ordinance disposal team arrived to properly collect and recover the items for analysis; later destroying the items in a controlled detonation.
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Blackanthem Military News
By US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs
Coalition Forces kill four militants in Kandahar
KABUL - CF engaged several militants, March 6, killing 4, while conducting ops in Maywand District, Kandahar Province, approx. 80 km NW of Kandahar.
CF learned through intel sources that enemy combatants were using the karez (water irrigation) system in Maywand District to hide weapons and munitions. When the assault force arrived at the targeted series of irrigation holes, they were engaged by armed enemies. Forces responded with small arms fire and called in close air support to combat the enemy. Four militants were killed in the battle.
An initial search of the karez holes revealed several AK-47 assault rifles, PKMs (machine guns) and a RPG launcher.
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Blackanthem Military News
By ISAF/NATO
Afghan SF, supported by ISAF, discover weapons in Sangin
KABUL - The Afghan NSF, supported by Int'l Security Assistance Forces (ISAF), recently conducted the latest in the Op GHARTSE PALANG series, targeting known facilitators of IEDs and disrupting the flow of enemy weapons and funding in Helmand Province’s Sangin area.
In a demonstration of their growing skill and capacity, the Afghan NA and Afghan NP worked closely with ISAF in the planning of the op, and developing intel on compounds in the Charkak Shayla Wadi and Sangin bazaar areas.
120 ANA troops were joined by approx. 120 ISAF and 20 ANP members in the 2-day op. Afghan SF led all searches as ISAF provided support and assistance from specialized search teams.
The op resulted in the discovery of a number of small arms and RPG warheads, as well as raw opium and home-made explosives, demonstrating the link between the narcotics trade and the insurgency. All items were destroyed in a controlled explosion.
The Afghan forces detained an individual, one of the key targets of the op, who was believed to have been central to providing funds to the insurgents. "The op combined the capabilities of ISAF forces with the skills of both the ANA and the ANP, leading to the successful capture of a known Taliban sympathiser and financial supporter," said Major Jonny Kitson, Comm. Officer of the British mentoring team.
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