Dear Interested Reader,
New school opens in Diwaniyah. Reenlistments surge at COB Speicher. Tal Abtha Rd. project improves local economy. IA and 4th BCT, 1st Cav Div work to end smuggling. New sustainable training approach for IP, while they increase numbers and capabilities. K-9, handler work together to keep troops safe.
In Afghanistan, Shokhi village has ground-breaking ceremony. Detainees released via Afghan reconciliation program. Czech PRT in Logar Province continues Surkhab Dam reconstruction.
Joanna
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April 21, 2009
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs RSS
Iraqi Government Opens New School in Diwaniyah
Story by Sgt. Brandon LeFlore
Spc. James Gaspich, infantryman with 172nd IBCT, helps a student from the Al Fidah primary school adjust the straps on a backpack he received after the school's opening ceremony in Diwaniyah, April 11.
CAMP ECHO – Students from the Al Fidah primary school showed up outside of normal school hours to witness the opening ceremony of the new school. The primary school is one of 54 new schools constructed as part of Op Lighthouse, to replace deteriorated school houses. "The old schools were built with mud and had been re-patched over and over," said Maj. Robert Thompson, cmdr, Co B, 445th CAB, 2nd BCT, 4th ID.
Many of the IA soldiers involved in this op are from this area and went to these schools. There's an element of pride in seeing that their old schools are being improved, said Thompson.
After the opening ceremony, the school headmaster passed out backpacks provided by CF to the students attending the ceremony outside normal school hours. Inside the backpacks the students found pens and paper, which are in short supply, along with notebooks and chalk, said Thompson.
Projects like this one show the more humanitarian side of CF and hopefully will improve the civil-military relationship between the local population and CF. "It shows that we've a heart, that we understand what they're going through, and we're here to help," said Staff Sgt. Raymond Ramos, civil affairs specialist with the 445th.
"The gift of learning is always a great gift," said Thompson.
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16th Sustainment Brigade RSS
Reenlistments Surge at Speicher
Sgt. Elizabeth Jones (right), retention NCO, 1st Inland Cargo Transfer Co (ICTC) Fwd Detachment, 391st CSSB, 16th Sust Bde, takes the oath of reenlistment from 1st Lt. Ken Grace, detachment cmdr, 1st ICTC, at COB Speicher, March 31.
COB SPEICHER - Four Soldiers from the 1st ICTC reenlisted in the first week of April, bringing total reenlists for the small company to 16 for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, surpassing the goal by 145%.
Some Soldiers reenlisted despite not receiving a bonus. "I just got a handshake from Lt. Col. Ronald Pacheco, (cmdr, 391st CSSB), and that was perfectly fine by me," said Frisby.
Another company in the 391st CSSB, HHC, also had a spike in re-enlistments in April. None of these NCOs reenlisted for bonuses, but a couple of Soldiers requested their duty station of choice. The Army has improved its options making it more appealing for Soldiers to continue serving, offering assignment location of choice and also providing retention bonuses.
SSgt. Gabriel George, retention NCO, HHC, said he appreciated the opportunity to help young Soldiers and NCOs in their careers. "I enjoy guiding 'hi-speed' Soldiers to reenlist to stay Army," George said. "Soldiers are always hunting me down to re-enlist." George said he posts up-to-date info concerning retention in the co. and bn. areas, to give Soldiers an idea of the options that are offered in different military occupational specialties.
Maj. Vincent Nwafor (right), support ops officer-in-charge, 391st, reenlists Sgt. 1st Class Travis Smith, equipment readiness branch NCO-in-charge, HHC., March 29.
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Tal Abtha Road project improves transportation, local economy
Capt. Stephen S. Trotter, team chief for Team 14, B Co, 448th CAB, addresses student construction workers on their considerable achievements on the Tal Abtha road project.
FOB KEY WEST, QAYYARAH - Mayor Ra'ed Ali, of Al Hadr, and Engr Hesham, from Dir. Gen. Roads and
Bridges, are currently working together with Green Dream Ltd., on a project that is training and employing students, while at the same time building the Tal Abtha Road. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held April 5 to mark the end of the first phase of the op. The project's main goal is to assist the local economy through a better transportation and export route.
More than 30 villages in areas between Mosul and Tal Apta will be significantly impacted by the completion of this project. Villagers from the rural areas will have an easier means of delivering products they grow or manufacture to the closest large city, Mosul. The project began employing 160 previously unemployed villagers and now employs nearly 400 within the last few months. The villagers became students, learning the skills it takes to become trained road construction workers.
"This road will support the infrastructure needs of the area and will help the local economy grow to an all new level," said Capt. James Covington, cmdr of E Co, 1st Bn, 12th Cav Regt. Covington is also the technical rep for this project. "This project employs students and teaches them skills to find another job once the project is completed," said Covington. "The students who perform well will be considered for hire on future projects."
The workers are being trained in one of 3 fields: tack welding, heavy machine op and culvert work.
"We would like to thank CF for their efforts on achieving this project," said Fathil Abdullah, Green Dream rep. The project is currently scheduled to be completed in December 2009.
"I want to thank the CF for taking this opportunity to do this project. It's going to open a lot of doors for a lot of families. Thank you so very much," said Haji Abdullah, the foreman of the project who directly supervises the workers.
Fathil Abdullah cuts the ribbon.
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Multi-National Division - South PAO
IA, U.S. Soldiers work to end smuggling
FOB HUNTER, Iraq - Iraqi and American forces work together to make Iraq a safer place. A joint op recently was held for that purpose.
Supporting 41st IA Bde's mission to prevent criminal ops in the Maysan Province, Soldiers assigned to 4th BCT, 1st Cav Div traveled through areas of southern Iraq to deter suspected smuggling of lethal munitions near FOB Hunter, April 2.
"I really enjoy doing these missions with the Americans," said an IA Soldier. Along the route, the Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers stopped in several villages where they handed out toys and school supplies to Iraqi children.
"The looks we get from the Iraqis are priceless," said Spc. Jesse Martin, a 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Soldier.
The Soldiers also distributed flyers with contact info for citizens to report criminal activities.
The following day, the members of the joint patrol positioned themselves on busy streets to conduct random vehicle inspections. The Soldiers didn't discover any contraband or lethal munitions, but their solidarity of purpose to end the illegal smuggling continues to provide peace of mind to the citizens in the Maysan Province.
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Multi-National Division-Central RSS
New Sustainable Training Approach for Iraqi Police
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
Mr. Lee Garnand, IP advisor, briefs Maj. Gen. Ra'ad, Wasit Provincial dir. of police, April 9, on the new training strategy for IP, focused on a sustainable train-the-trainer approach, that the IP can continue to use after CF leave Iraq.
FOB DELTA – "Our overall goal is to start a program in Wasit that can be a model for the rest of the country," said SSgt. Elton Dean, HQ squad leader, 772nd MP Co. "What we want to do is give the MoI a reason to institute a program like this in order to make the entire country of Iraq better, not just the province of Wasit."
The new training approach will institute a mobile training team that will travel to the outlying and local IP stations and focus on the train-the-trainer program for each station. "With the timeframe that we're looking at, it's real important right now that we start looking at a way that we can start making them more self-reliant, continue their training, and be able to have the fundamentals down," said Dean. "When we're gone, they can continue to train and be able to police themselves, and not have to look around for answers."
The training will focus on everything from community policing, ethics, basic law enforcement procedures, crime scene protection, crime scene processing and leadership courses, to any identified training that the local police stations may need. The current training structure was built around the assessments from Maj. Gen. Ra'ad, Wasit Provincial dir. of police.
It will also establish different training for the officers, NCOs and regular IPs. "Currently, they don't have a training breakdown between the IPs, NCOs and officers," said Dean. "One of the things we've been looking at is how can you, as a leader, keep accountability of your IP officers, and keep the standards enforced if you don't actually understand what they are. This new training approach will address that problem."
"What's good about the 772 being here is that it is a National Guard Co, where we do have a lot of civilian police officers, and we bring a lot of civilian policing experience to the table," said Dean. "This helps the IP get away from the military mindset because the military and the police are 2 different functions. Between the IP and the 772 working together, we're able to bring enough of that civilian experience, so that we can mentor them on a level that they should be mentored at."
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Multi-National Division - Baghdad
Iraqi Police Graduates Increase Numbers, Capabilities
By Ray McNulty
BAGHDAD — 2 months ago, more than 700 recruits registered for rigorous professional police training that would prepare them to become IP officers. Upon the 8-week course's completion this week, 537 of those individuals officially joined the ranks of the IP force, making it official during a graduation ceremony at the Al Furat IP training center.
This group was the 5th IP class to graduate in recent months from the academy. Last month, a class of 314 graduated. Following graduation, they were assigned to patrol duties in towns and cities throughout Iraq.
"These regular graduations are tangible proof the GoI has kept its promise. It offered IP jobs and training to those who care for the safety and security of Iraq's communities," said Brig. Gen. Ali Yunis, cmdr, Provincial Directorate of Police. "We extend a salute of respect to all those who wish to serve with us. Their service brings honor to their communities."
The 8th MP Bde assisted the IP through mentoring, coaching and teaching both new recruits and senior officers. Maj. Robert Arnold, cmdr, Baghdad Police Training Teams, 8th MP Bde, who attended the graduation ceremony observed, "Every IP graduation points the way forward. More professionally trained officers are on the streets of Baghdad and throughout Iraq; they are restoring a sense of normalcy to cities and towns around the country. They are the citizen's first line of security."
Registration for the next class of IP candidates is due to start before the end of April.
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332nd Air Expeditionary Wing RSS
K-9, Handler Work Together to Keep Service Members Safe
Story by Staff Sgt. Dilia Ayala
CAMP TAJI - It is often said a dog is a man's best friend. For a Joint Expeditionary Tasking or JET Airman here, his dog is not just a friend, but a tool that could mean life or death for service members patrolling the Iraqi streets.
Senior Airman William Bailey, a military working dog handler and JET Airman from the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group attached to the Army's 1st Cav Div, and Robby, a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois patrol, explosives detector dog, work together to keep service members safe. "My mission here is to search for and expose explosives in any form," said Airman Bailey. "Robby and I go on cordon walks, air assaults, raids, anything that the Soldiers on the ground need help in protecting themselves, by the detection of explosives.
The duo is constantly training to ensure they are always mission-ready. "We do training daily," said Bailey. "Obedience training is done daily, and explosive detection training is done as often as possible. It's vital."
"Being deployed with Robby has been a fun experience," he said. "Military working dog handlers get a little extra privilege by having a little buddy with us the whole deployment. It's nice to have that bond especially on those tough days when you're feeling a little bit down. You just look down at the dog and see how happy he is to just be hanging out with you. It just brightens your day."
"It's great having him as part of the team," said Army SSgt. David Harrison, 1st Cal Div kennelmaster. "He goes out on missions and does his part like any Soldier would. There isn't a difference.
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CJTF-101 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Shokhi village ground-breaking ceremony
KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan
Photos by Khalid Shahee, Kapisa PRT
Kapisa Gov. Ghulam Abubaker, Kapisa Public Health rep Abdul Rahin, Provincial Council member Zahida Kohistani, Line Director of Rural Rehabilitation and Development Dept Engr Ayatullah Farhang, and Shokhi residents take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Shokhi Basic Health Clinic ground-breaking ceremony in Shokhi village, Mahmood Raqi District, Kapisa province, April 13.
Kapisa Gov. Abubaker, answers questions from Afghan media regarding the ground-breaking ceremony.
A member of the Kapisa Community Development Council lays a commemorative stone.
Shokhi village elders and workers participate in a ground-breaking ceremony.
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CJTF-101 Public Affairs Office, Bagram Media Center
14 detainees released via Afghan reconciliation program
BAGRAM AIR FIELD - Fourteen detainees held at the Bagram Theater Internment Facility were transferred to the Govt of Afghanistan April 16, under a reconciliation program called Takhim e Sol.
The 14 Afghan men had been detained for participating in or facilitating attacks against Afghan and allied forces. The order for release occurred after both U.S. and Afghan authorities considered the men's cases and jointly concurred that they were eligible for the reconciliation program.
As an Afghan-led initiative, the Takhim e Sol reconciliation process requires candidates to agree to renounce violence and swear allegiance to the Afghan govt. Since 2005, 529 detainees have been released, with only 2 being detained again for subsequent insurgent activities, a recidivism rate of
less than one-half of a percent.
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CJTF-101 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Czech PRT in Logar continues in Surkhab Dam reconstruction
LOGAR PROVINCE (April 17, 2008) - The Czech PRT in Logar province recently entered another phase of
the reconstruction of the Surkhab dam, the largest source of water in Logar province. The project will improve irrigation conditions for about 3,500 farmers, as well as provide jobs for 80 workers from Logar.
"We appreciate Czech assistance a lot. Our farmers cannot grow anything without water," said Abdul Ahmadzai, dir. of a local high school.
Prior to the renovation, the old dam and reservoir lacked maintenance and regular cleaning. Up until a few months ago, the basin was full of sediment more than 8 meters deep, up to 2/3 of its depth. The Czech PRT excavated the mud in order to revitalize the dam and to restore its original capacity.
"We use Surkhab water for irrigation throughout the whole year. The lack of water could cause a disaster for our community and conflicts could break out," said Baidjan, a local village elder.
The project is to continue with the construction of a retention wall, which will help keep sediment out of the dam. The last phase of the project includes planting more than 2,500 trees to serve as a wind barrier and protect the Surkhab banks from erosion.
Meetings with the local communities, an important component of the PRT's strategy in Logar province, played a key role in the restoration of the dam and the project. "Discussions with locals were lengthy, but finally, we agreed on a long strip of trees in 3 lines," Iva Smejkalova, agriculture advisor for the Czech PRT, said.
The Czech PRT has been assisting the people of Logar in areas such as health, education, infrastructure, independent journalism and women's rights programs since March 2008.
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