Dear Interested Reader,
Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Campbell finishes degree in Iraq. Improved security leads to closing of JSS Yarmouk. Hemp Stead H.S. students gather supplies for Iraq children. IA cuts off terrorist weapon supplies.
In Afghanistan, a joint effort is in place at Cap Dwyer, preparing for a Marine bde. Robert Gates says ANA could take the lead in 2-4 years. Suspects tied to Haqqani network detained.
Joanna
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May 24, 2009
114th Public Affairs Detachment RSS
Soldier Finishes Degree in Iraq
Story by Pvt. Karin Leach
Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Campbell, command sgt maj of 146th Expeditionary Signal Bn (ESB), is scheduled to earn his associate degree in applied science from Excelsior College, May 17, at the Al Faw Palace, Baghdad.
After 92 credits and 5 years of taking classes, Campbell decided to finish his associate's degree during his 12-month deployment to Camp Victory, Baghdad. Campbell said he wishes more Soldiers would take advantage of the education opportunities that the Army offers. "If the old guy can do it, then so can everyone else!" said Campbell.
Lisa Brooks a psychology instructor with the University Maryland University College in Iraq has seen many students further their education, by taking various courses ranging from an Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery improvement class, to a Basic English class. "I hope service members realize it's possible for them to earn a degree," said Lisa Brooks. "It may take service members longer to earn a degree than most people at home, but they can do it."
Even after working 16 to 18 hour days, Campbell finds the time to work on his education.
"It leads to promotion opportunities within the military structure, and increases your marketability in the civilian sector," said Campbell. "It affords your employer a well-rounded employee and speaks volumes about the Armed Services."
The graduation encompasses around 50 service members graduating from classes at 10 different schools. Campbell is continuing his education, and working on finishing his bachelor's degree during the rest of his deployment.
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DoD Imagery
Improved Security Leads to Closing of JSS Yarmouk
By Sgt. Dustin Roberts
1st Lt. Joshua Jones salutes during the playing of the Iraqi national anthem at the closure ceremony of JSS Yarmouk in northwest Baghdad, May 16.
(Photo by Sgt. Dustin Roberts)
BAGHDAD — The land was returned to the man who graciously lent it out to serve as part of the JSS for the past several months. In accordance with the signed security agreement between the GoI and CF, JSS Yarmouk will no longer be used due to the increased and stable security in the neighborhood.
Duraid Malik let the partnered Soldiers eat, sleep and operate from his home, also allowing concrete barriers to be placed around the perimeter. "Duraid is an example of someone who has made a great sacrifice for his neighborhood, like so many Iraqis who have given up their homes to allow a joint Coalition and Iraqi SECFOR element to stay in their homes and use them as bases," said Lt. Col. John Richardson, cmdr, 5th Sqdrn, 4th Cav Regt. "This closure could only be done because of the successful security ops conducted primarily by the Iraqi SECFOR."
"The base closure signifies a new chapter in the security of Yarmouk and Baghdad. The progress in Iraq is happening at an astonishing rate," said 1st Lt. Dontae Payne, 5th Sqdn. "As hospitals, schools and stores are built in Baghdad, potential and opportunity are endless. The Iraqi SECFOR are committed to protecting these assets in helping to maintain the people's faith in their govt."
Richardson said those who lent their homes to be a part of the JSS will get them back in the same condition as before, or will be compensated for damages, and the barriers will be completely removed within the week. "I want to say thank you to all the families in Iraq who have given up their homes in support of the security of their neighborhoods," he said. "We are celebrating this landmark step forward in returning Iraq to normalcy."
Lt. Col. John Richardson (left), and Lt. Col. Ali (right), Iraqi cmdr, give framed certificates of appreciation to Duraid Malik (center) during the closure ceremony.
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Multi-National Division Baghdad RSS
American High School Students Deliver the Goods
Story by Spc. Phillip Adam Turner
Staff Sgt. Joseph Fimonetti, the fire support NCO-in-charge, with 2nd Bn, 112th Inf Regt, hands out new bookbags to Iraqi students at the Hamichun school, May 15.
BAGHDAD – In an effort to give a group of high school students a glimpse into the lives of Iraqis, a Dubuque, Iowa teacher assigned a service project to her students to apply 'real world problem solving solutions' that would benefit the people of the war torn country.
Brenda Foust, a world history teacher at Hemp Stead High School, and her students decided that a focus on education promoted the most, with the common belief that 'knowledge is power.' "We gathered donated school supplies for the children, feeling that that would help to better educate them and eventually help them effect change in years to come," said committee member and Hemp Stead High School sophomore, Rachel Splinter.
Partnering with the students and faculty of nearby Washington Middle School, the students gathered an abundance of pens, pencils, notebooks and many other educational tools that are far from common place in classrooms throughout Iraq.
"The amount of donations were really no surprise to us; most people are willing to help if it's a good cause, and we knew people would see what we were trying to do, and help as much as they could," said Splinter.
Gathering supplies from Washington Middle School and the nearly 1,800 students at Hemp Stead High was only half the battle. The next step would be to find a way to deliver the spoils of their project to those who would benefit the most. That's where sophomore Tracy Zurcher and her uncle, Master Sgt. Craig Roberts, with MND - Baghdad's provost marshal's office, helped build a bridge between American high school students and the Iraqi children.
"Since he was in Iraq, I introduced Mrs. Foust to Craig, and soon our class was exchanging e-mails, and video chatting with him. We were learning about Iraq from someone who was actually there, and that helped us to give our project a focus," said Zurcher. With the 1st Cav Div being deployed, I agreed to help them out because I saw that it was a good cause and a way for them understand what it is we're trying to do over here," said Roberts.
Soon all the pieces were falling into place. Roberts, having seen this project grow from an idea into a fully fledged humanitarian aid mission, took the next few steps on his own. "Once I received the supplies I started making connections through the 403rd CAB. They set me up with the 2nd Bn, 112th Inf Regt, which would ultimately provide the means to deliver these supplies to a community they had a relationship with," said Roberts.
So on May 15, many months of planning, and what seemed like 'divine intervention' for Master Sgt. Roberts, would finally culminate into a perfect ending to an Iraqi school day. Roughly 200 students of the Hamichun School in Baghdad gathered just outside their respective classrooms, filling the concrete courtyard with gleeful anticipation and chatter, as Roberts and the Soldiers of the 2nd Bn., 112th Inf. Regt., unloaded box after box of school supplies and mounds of book bags. For the students in Iowa, their hopes were that these children would see that they had not been forgotten.
"This is one of those things where a plan comes together. I had it in my mind that those[Hemp Stead High students had gone through so much to get that stuff here, that I was going to go that extra mile to get the donations out to kids who needed it, before school let out for the summer," Roberts said.
"I'm so glad that my students got to see the benefit of all their hard work," said Foust. "I really can't take any of the credit for this. All I did was give them an assignment. They took it, ran with it, and I couldn't be more proud of the results. I'm truly amazed."
Many lessons could be learned from such a act of caring, but the most important, for Dubuque sophomore Kaley Rigdon, was a view shared in common with all those who continue to promote peace through the smallest of gestures. "This project was about trying to help make things better," Rigdon said. "The world is much bigger than just Dubuque, Iowa. Reaching out shows your character; it will take you far in life, and ours led us to being good ambassadors for the world."
A student at the Hamichun school exits the school's courtyard carrying her brand new book bag full of school supplies.
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Iraqi Army cuts off terrorist weapon supplies
TIKRIT - In the midst of a recon patrol May 11, Iraqi Special Ops Soldiers with CF advisors, recovered a weapons cache in western Kirkuk and detained 2 men within the vicinity.
The detained men were found watching the cache area, and owned the property in which the weapons were buried. They were detained for further investigation. The cache included several dozen RPGs, 75 anti-tank rounds, and 1,000 rounds of small-arms ammo.
"The local knowledge of the discovery and detentions will likely create doubt within anti-Iraqi networks," said the ground forces commander. "The destruction of this cache will disrupt enemy attacks and eliminate bomb-making supplies in the near term."
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Multi-National Division - Baghdad PAO
ISF, MND-B troops discover weapons cache in Muhalla
BAGHDAD - Iraqi SECFOR and CF discovered a weapons cache in the Muhalla District of northern Baghdad, May 16.
Soldiers from the 1st Sqdrn, 5th Cav Regt, attached to the 1st BCT, 1st Cav Div, partnered with Ameriyah IP, discovered 2 mines, 6 small rockets, one 82mm mortar tube, 2 rusted RPG rounds, 2 warheads and several hundred rounds of 7.62 ammo.
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MNF-I
Engineering Smiles
An Iraqi boy smiles as members from the USACE check the progress on a water treatment plant in Musayib, May 14. The plant will provide a safe source of potable water to thousands of Iraqi citizens in Musayib and Iskandaryia.
(Photo by Kim Smith)
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ISAF HQ Public Affairs RSS
International Security Assistance Force Base Prepares for New Troops
KABUL, Afghanistan - A joint effort is in place at Camp Dwyer, Helmand province as the base prepares for an incoming Marine bde. British and American forces are working together providing the security and labor required to ensure the camp is fully operational.
"The mission of this FOB is to protect the combat air power for the southern Helmand province," said AF Capt. Vincent Rea, officer-in-charge, Rapid Engineered Deployable Heavy Ops Repair Sqdrn engrs. "The incoming Marine unit will take over for the British as a roving security presence in the local area."
A small element from Navy Mobile Construction Bn 5 leads the build-up at Camp Dwyer.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Douglas Elsass, safety officer and project supervisor at FOB Dwyer said his Seabees have "hit the ground running" since their arrival at the expanding camp. A Seabee is a naval engr. "Our first mission here was to get security posted around this FOB," said Elsass. "We created over 19,000 feet of berms and a number of guard towers. Now that security is set," he continued, "force protection can get out there, and we can start constructing billeting for all the Marines that will be rolling in soon."
Navy Lt. David Olberg, Fast action officer for 25th Naval Construction Regt described the mission for the base, and the challenges that have been faced with its operational expansion. "Dwyer is going to be the home base for the RCT, their infantry bns and other support elements," said Olberg. "They're going to be pushing out the COPs in Helmand province to conduct forward ops."
As FOB Dwyer's scheduled date for operation draws closer, the joint services have great things to say about their camaraderie and work relationship. "I've absolutely nothing but great things to say about the other orgs working beside us," said Rea. "They have been more than willing to share assets with us to keep projects going."
"The friendship is good between my British troops and our American counterparts," said British Warrant Officer 2 Trevor Bell, Light Dragoons battle group. "If there's anything that we need, we will go to the Seabees or the AF."
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American Forces Press Service
Gates: Afghan Army Could Take Lead in 2 to 4 Years
By John J. Kruzel
WASHINGTON, May 17, 2009 – The ANA could lead ops in Afghanistan in 2 to 4 years, with the U.S. playing a support role, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said during a May 8 interview, portions of which aired on CBS’ “60 Minutes” today.
“I think what you'll see is the same kind of evolution here that you have seen in Iraq, and that is where the Iraqis have increasingly taken the lead and we have increasingly receded into the background,” he said. “I think that's what will happen here over time.” The ANA has about 86,000 troops with a “significant number” of bns leading joint ops with U.S. and NATO ISAF, Gates said.
The defense secretary said the Afghan army is showing progress as the size of its ranks grows over coming years to the currently authorized number of 134,000 troops. He also expressed confidence in the Pakistani army’s ability to root out terrorist safe havens along its border with Afghanistan, but he used measured terms in providing his assessment, acknowledging that the situation is subject to change.
“War is inherently unpredictable, okay, and the enemy always has a vote,” he said. “But I think that if things go according to the way that our cmdrs are planning and the strategies that we're following, that would be our anticipation.”
Some 47,000 U.S. forces serve in Afghanistan -- a number that is rising as 17,000 additional American troops arrive there. Meanwhile, NATO member countries and partners have more than 32,000 forces in country.
Gates, who has previously criticized the NATO contribution, reiterated his frustration at the disparity of force levels. “I've been disappointed with NATO's response to this ever since I got this job,” he said, pointing out that even excluding the U.S., they've almost 2 million men under arms. “Why they can't get more than 32,000 to Afghanistan has always been a puzzle to me.”
During the program, Couric asked Gates – who is the only cabinet secretary holdover from President George W. Bush’s administration – why he agreed to remain in his position as defense secretary. He replied: “I do it because it’s my duty. I do it almost exclusively for these young men and women out here in uniform, and whatever I can do to help them,” he continued. “The rest is all fluff as far as I’m concerned.”
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U.S. Forces Afghanistan RSS
Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain Three Suspects in Khost
KABUL – Afghan and CF detained 3 individuals during an op early May 18 in Khost, to further neutralize Haqqani network ops in eastern Afghanistan.
In Mando Zayi District, Khost province, approx. 15 kms southwest of Khost City, Afghan and CF patrolled to a village to capture an individual tied to Haqqani network senior leaders. Forces searched several compounds without incident, capturing the targeted individual and 2 others suspected to have ties to this terrorist org. Afghan and CF discovered a weapons cache on one of the compounds that included 5 bolt-action rifles, an AK-47 assault rifle and a shotgun.
Entrances on 2 separate compounds were damaged when forces initiated the assault. However, none of the 14 adults and 17 children present were endangered at any time during this op.
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