Dear Interested Reader,
Students of Ann McGuinness School let soldiers know they care. New IA facility taking shape in SE Iraq, while new Basra compound is home to growing AF. Ethic Center officers draft training courses. American citizens send donations for hospital patients. SF lead the way for Dujaylah Pride Day.
In Afghanistan, combined forces have successful ops against insurgents in Kandahar and in Helmand. A medical and dental outreach program is welcomed in Wardak.
Joanna
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April 24, 2009
Multi-National Division Baghdad RSS
Students of Ann G. McGuinness School Let Soldiers Know They Care
Story by Staff Sgt. Peter Ford
Spc. Matthew Fogarty, a cavalry scout in B Troop, 2nd Sqdrn, 104th Cav Regt, 56th Stryker BCT, hangs cards from the students of the Anne G. McGuinness Intermediate School of Union Endicott, N.Y., April 12, at the JSS in Sab al-Bour. Fogarty hung the cards from the students around the doorway of the living quarters to ensure the Soldiers see the hard work of the students.
BAGHDAD – After a long stressful day of patrolling the streets of Sab al-Bour looking for weapons and explosive devices, weary Soldiers of B Troop, return to base anxious to fall into bed. But, as they enter their quarters, they pause for a look at the collage of greeting cards that hang around the door. The cards, a collection of well wishes from children at the Ann G. McGuinness School seem to erase the events of the day and cause smiles to form on their weary faces.
"It just makes you feel good," said Spc. Matthew Fogarty. According to Fogarty, there are many schools around the country like the Ann G. McGuinness Intermediate School that make it a point to let Soldiers know they still care. But this is different for Fogarty and the Soldiers of B Troop. The cards of support come from one of Fogarty's childhood friends.
Amanda Aloi, an art teacher at the school, said she felt it was her duty to show her support for the Soldiers.
"Amanda told her students she knew a Soldier in Iraq and asked them to make some cards for the Soldiers in B Troop," said Fogarty. "The kids think the things we are doing are awesome." Aloi taught her students how to create heart-warming messages and drawings that were sent to the Soldiers of B Troop, and Fogarty ensured the Soldiers received the messages. The love and support the students have for the U.S. and its Soldiers are shown in the cards they created for Soldiers of B Troop.
One student, Alaska, created a card much like her teacher's. The card reflected admiration and concern for the Soldiers and their families. "You so Rock! I hope you win the war. Your family is waiting for you," she wrote.
Soldiers of B Troop say the kids are very talented and the cards keep them motivated. "The cards from the kids are nice," said Spc. Tristan Grubb, a cavalry scout of B Troop. "We really appreciate the support of the kids."
Every day, Soldiers of B Troop work long, grueling hours while separated from their families and friends. These conditions can sometimes cause anxiety and frustration. On days when Soldiers are exhausted, something as simple as a card from a child can put a smile on a fatigued face.
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New Iraqi army facility taking shape in southeast Iraq
By Norris Jones
Gulf Region South district
AMARAH -- Construction on the IA’s new al-Maymona Location Command in southeast Iraq is on schedule for completion by Sept., according to the USACE. The project, overseen by USACE’s Gulf Region Div, will provide a base for 1,000 Iraqi soldiers.
“This location command will support IA units stationed in our area,” explained Iraqi engineer Ali Abdul, who is overseeing construction for the Gulf Region Div. “It will ensure our Iraqi soldiers have the supplies they need as they improve security in our area.”
Shelly Carter, a GRD construction rep, says the Iraqi contractor is making great progress. “The Maymona Location Command will support IA units safeguarding Maysan neighborhoods,” she explained. “Every time I visit the site, I see the pride local Iraqi construction workers exhibit doing their jobs. Of those I’ve talked to, they’re happy to be part of this crew building this project that will benefit their community for years to come.”
Facilities include warehouses, barracks, a HQ facility, fueling depot, ammo supply point, a dining facility, ice plant, laundry, medical clinic, fire station, and water and wastewater treatment facilities.
Currently, nearly 150 local Iraqis are working at the site. “It’s great to be part of this effort,” said Ali Abdul, who is a lifelong resident of Maysan. In addition to his work at the location command, Ali is overseeing several other projects in Maysan, including 2 road projects and the construction of a new surgical hospital.
USACE projects all over Iraq are helping to build a secure and stable nation. Currently USACE has 236 military and security-related projects ongoing in Iraq.
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New Basra compound home to growing Iraqi air force
By A. Al Bahrani
Gulf Region South district
The new Iraqi AF life support compound will support the airmen working at the base.
(USACE photo by A Al Bahrani)
BASRA — Iraqi AF personnel assigned to Basra Air Base now have a new compound to call home, thanks to a project overseen by the USACE’s Gulf Region Div.
“If I use all the words, they won’t be enough to express my great thanks to the USACE for their work helping us build the Iraqi AF’s capacity, not only in Basra province, but in the whole country,” said Staff Gen. Anwer Ameen, cmdr of the Iraqi AF, during his April 14 visit. “You ensured that a quality facility was provided.”
Iraqi AF SMaj. Gen. Hamed al-Maliki, Basra Air Base cmdr, was also pleased. “There's a huge difference between the old facility where our airmen were housed and the new compound,” he said. “As the Iraqi AF gets bigger, this expansion is vital for the 450 additional airmen who will be reporting for duty here,” he noted.
Lt. Col. Humberto Ramirez, the officer-in-charge at USACE’s Basra Area Office, explained that construction on the project took about 6 months to complete. The project includes new housing units with a/c, a dining facility, and 2 new 550 kilovolt generators. The Iraqi contractor doing the work had more than 50 local Iraqis on his crew, and is also responsible for training staff on maintaining the new equipment.
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Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348
Iraqi Ethic Center Officers Draft Training Courses
ERBIL – Officers from the Iraqi Center for Military Values, Principles, and Leadership Development attended a week-long human rights workshop from 1-7 April. Hosted by the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq, the workshop gathered Ministry of Defense officers in the human rights field to create training courses on the Law of Armed Conflict and Human Rights.
Many of the officers in attendance were Legal Advisors to various bde HQ in units throughout Iraq. Soldiers participated in working groups developing course curriculum on topics including Human Rights, Law of Armed Conflict, Detainee Rights, Women’s Rights, Command Responsibility, and Iraqi Rules of Engagement. The developed courses will be instituted in the field to train legal offices across the IA, which in turn will be given to soldiers throughout the IA.
The Ethics Center is critical to developing the IA to meet the demands of the Security Agreement between the U.S. and Iraq.
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Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348
American Citizens Support Iraqi Patients With Valuable Donations
BAGHDAD – Family members of deployed servicemembers in Baghdad donated lots of valuable supplies to show care and concern for the Iraqi patients being treated at Ibn Sina, April 9.
Members of the Coalition AF Advisory Training Team have been making regular donations to support Iraqi patients. There was a need for children’s and women’s shoes, clothes and toiletries. The call went out to family members and friends in the U.S., and they responded with overwhelming support.
Lori Thomas, sister of deployed CAFTT member, U.S. AF Lt. Col. Deb Meserve, CAFTT A9 advisor to the Iraqi AF, requested that her friends donate shoes to the effort instead of giving her birthday presents this year. The result was over 35 pairs of shoes, socks and clothing being sent for the patients. “Seeing the great support from our friends and family in the States reminds us of why we serve,” said Meserve. “We made a difference today to two young Iraqis and their families.”
U.S. AF Lt. Col. Sandra Edens, a Reserve Airman stationed at the Pentagon, relayed the request to her family church in Sanford, NC. Her parents, retired Army Col. Bob Edens and his wife, Ann, collected 5 boxes of donations from the generous members of the Emmanual Congregational Christian Church.
Adding to the effort was Barbara Kajiya of Duvall, Wa., who has been supporting deployed warriors for more than 3 years in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In a response to the call for support, she donated several boxes of support items for the children and adult patients of the hospital.
“It was a nice thing to do something different from our daily mission,” said AF Maj. Rob Sandoval of Langley AFB, Va.
AF Brig. Gen. Robert Kane, cmdr of 321st Air Expeditionary Wing paid a special visit to 2 young Iraqi children being treated at the 10th Combat Support Hospital, to help distribute some of these valuable donations. The children’s eyes grew wide with anticipation as he prepared some toy airplanes for flight. Smiles covered their faces as they accepted these toys and other items.
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Multi-National Division-South East Public Affairs RSS
Iraqi Security Forces Lead the Way for Dujaylah Pride Day
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
An IA Soldier carries a trash bag with a local boy during Dujaylah Pride Day, April 18. The event showed the local community the unity between the Iraqi SF, GoI and CF to strengthen community ties.
FOB DELTA – Dujaylah Pride Day brought together town officials, local police, IA soldiers and 2nd Bn, 20th FAR Soldiers. "It was very good for the city and the people because they see the army,police, and the Americans as they worked together to clean the area, and that's a really excellent job to inform the people of the cooperation," said Salah Attabr, dep. mayor of Dujaylah.
IA humvees led the way with 2 garbage trucks following as the group picked up trash along a one mile loop in the inner city. "The IA, IP, and the CF helped to clean this area, and the people saw that we just don't protect them, but we also help the community," said Iraqi Maj. Jabber Owaid.
Kids in the town gathered around the soldiers and also joined the clean-up, working hand-in-hand with coalition and Iraqi forces. "It's supposed to be for everybody, every member of society, even the officials, kids, students and college students," said Salah. "They have to share in this kind of job of cleaning their city. That is their duty."
"It's an excellent example," said Salah. "Plus, a lot of people see the Americans doing this job, so they know the Americans came from all over and came here to help people, even to clean their streets and try to help them to improve their city. People promised me that they will work hard to clean their city in the future."
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U.S. Forces Afghanistan RSS
Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Four, Detain One in Kandahar
KABUL - April 18, Afghan and CF killed 4 adversaries and detained a suspect during an op in Kandahar province, aimed at halting a Taliban leader associated with a suicide attack against Kandahar Airfield, and a suicide attack in Maywand District that killed 11 Afghan citizens and 2 U.S. service members.
In Maywand District, approx. 60 km northwest of Kandahar City, Afghan and CF patrolled to a village to search for individuals suspected to be involved in insurgent activities in northern Kandahar. As the patrol neared the village, it encountered a manned bunker that appeared to be an enemy ambush site. The joint patrol reacted with small arms fire killing the 2 men inside.
Following the engagement, forces resumed their patrol and arrived at the village to root out the suspected militants thought to be intermingled with the civilian population. During multiple searches, Afghan forces called for all non-combatants to vacate their homes. Consequently, more than 100 adults and children followed the Afghan force's instructions and were moved to safety. One man was detained for further questioning. An armed man on one of the compounds refused to comply despite the forces' efforts to persuade him to exit peacefully. A non-lethal escalation of force ensued and the non-compliant man was subdued. Despite measures taken by the force to protect the non-combatants, one woman regrettably sustained a minor wound as the result of this escalation of force. Medical professionals provided treatment to her and did not advise any further care because her injury was not serious.
While forces were conducting the search in the village, a security element detected suspicious behavior by 4 individuals maneuvering in a field adjacent to the village. To prevent the suspects from interfering with the military op, creating a dangerous situation for the villagers, the force confronted the individuals. Two men disregarded audible warnings, failed to surrender and died in a subsequent engagement. Two other men surrendered without incident.
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U.S. Forces Afghanistan RSS
Afghan Public Protection Force Assists Medical Outreach in Wardak
KABUL – Members of the Afghan public protection force and CF conducted a medical and dental outreach program at a clinic in the Jalrez District, Wardak province, April 16.
The security provided by the APPF enabled more than 350 villagers to be evaluated and treated at the outreach program. The APPF's positive interaction with villagers helped 60 young girls receive education on dental hygiene, and facilitated the discussion of key health issues in the community to narrow the focus of care for future medical outreaches in the area. The community security element also handed out dental hygiene supplies to villagers.
"Today marks the fist medical and dental outreach program the Afghan public protection force has participated in. The villagers were able to see firsthand the benefits of having these brave men in their community," said a coalition spokesperson.
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U.S. Forces Afghanistan RSS
Afghan National Police Detain Three Suspected Militants in Helmand
KABUL – April 20, Afghan NP, assisted by CF, detained 3 bomb makers during an early morning search of a compound in Greshk District, Helmand province.
The detained individuals are linked to weapons smuggling and supplying Taliban cmdrs with roadside bombs, and are thought to have been involved in the coordination and execution of indirect-fire and small-arms fire attacks against Afghan NSF and CF throughout Greshk District.
During the search, the combined elements discovered 2 AK-47s with several mags, 1,000 rounds of AK-47 ammo, several bags of narcotics and several bomb-making materials.
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