Dear Interested Reader,
Joint patrol with the 463rd MP Co spreads goodwill. Farmers' Market open for business. Rabee Packing Shed serves as 1st modern fruit and veg. packing facility. 5 brothers make Navy their family business. Col. Butch Kievenaar meets with Shaykhs.
In Afghanistan, Marine Lance Corp. Corey Gosey is glad for the chance to stay a Marine. Tactical communications Airmen keep military ops online. Districts in Farah, Zabul safer following ops. Jalrez District conducts first all-female Shura.
Joanna
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June 21, 2009
Multi-National Division Baghdad RSS
Spreading Goodwill in Ameriyah
Story by Jon Soles
Two Iraqi boys smile after receiving stuffed animals from IP in the Ameriyah neighborhood during a joint patrol with the IP and Soldiers of the 463rd MP Co, 93rd MP Bn, 8th MP Bde, June 17. The stuffed animals were donated to deployed Soldiers to be distributed to Iraqi children. "It helps with the perception that the IPs are good; they're here to help," said Staff Sgt. Preston O'Neal, an MP. "The locals get the sense that the IPs care."
BAGHDAD – An IP officer clutches his weapon in one hand and a black garbage bag in the other hand, with eyes fixed ahead, scanning every corner and open window in the Ameriyah neighborhood during a joint patrol, June 17.
American Soldiers, walking behind the IP, offer support and more sets of eyes. Suddenly, an IP produces something colorful and furry from the bag, handing the stuffed animal to an Iraqi child.
The "Demons" of the 463rd MP Co, established a good rapport with the people of Ameriyah through constant foot patrols, according to Staff Sgt. Preston O'Neal, an MP.
"We're pretty much known for our dismounts," O'Neal said. "We usually help the Iraqis. We go and listen to the people."
Some of the help provided by the Soldiers have included repairing equipment, and distributing toys and school supplies. O'Neal said he likes to work with his hands, and is eager to use his skills to help the Iraqis. On this patrol, he helped an Iraqi install brakes on his car in front of a mechanic's shop. "Just last week we helped fix a generator," O'Neal said. "I like to work on things. It shows them we're people too, and we're here to help."
The children who met the Soldiers on patrol received stuffed animals from the IP. The toys were donated to deployed troops with the purpose of delivering the toys to children.
"It feels good because they're not very privileged," added Pfc. Joel Cantu, an MP. When Soldiers first arrived, children were standoffish, according to Cantu, but now they greet the Soldiers and IPs.
O'Neal said the goodwill shown toward the Iraqis and their children will hopefully reap continued security gains in the future, when the SF are fully responsible for keeping Ameriyah safe. "If they're comfortable with the IPs, and know they're here to help, they will most likely give info," O'Neal said. "It helps people to trust the IPs more."
Cpl. Jonathan Montgomery, left, and Pfc. Kyle Crossley search an abandoned car while on patrol with the IP. Montgomery and Crossley, both MP showed their IP partners techniques for searching vehicles for weapons.
Pfc. Joel Cantu, an MP pulls security on a street in the Ameriyah neighborhood. Cantu said he has seen a positive change in the neighborhood during his time with the 463rd "Demon" MP Co and IP.
Staff Sgt. Preston O'Neal, an MP takes time to use his mechanical skills to help an Iraqi identify a problem with the brakes on his car. O'Neal said he works on his own cars at home, and likes to help Iraqis he sees on patrol in Baghdad.
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DoD Imagery
Iraqi Farmers' Market Open for Business
By Spc. Darryl Montgomery
An Iraqi boy sorts tomatoes at the newly opened Central Euphrates Farmers' Market, June 12. The market is built on Highway 1, connecting Basrah with Baghdad and Mosul, which is projected to become Iraq's most significant growth corridor in the years ahead.
MAHAWIL — After 2 years of planning and building, the Central Euphrates Farmers' Market is now open for business after a grand opening ceremony, June 12.
"The fact that this market is here today demonstrates the cooperation of the ISF and the CF," said Brig. Gen. Jerry Lang, dep. comm. gen. of support for the 34th Red Bull ID. "We hope this model of cooperation you have demonstrated here today will help us bring it to the rest of Southern Iraq."
"We've received a lot of help from the CF, and for that, we're finally to the point that we're here for celebration," said Shaykh Khodaer Abdlhosaen, dir. of the Central Euphrates Farmers' Market.
Left to right, Army Brig. Gen. Jerry Lang, 34th ID dep. comm. gen. for support; Sheik Khodaer Abdlhosaen and Dep. Gov. Iskander Witwit of Iraq’s Babil province discuss how the market will help the region excel in agriculture.
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MNF-I
Adhamiyah Packing Facility Serves as Model for Future Iraqi Facilities
By Pfc. Bailey A. Jester
Shaykh Ali Al-ghreer (left), the Rabee packing shed owner, Tracy Atwood (center), Inma Chief of Party, and Glen Keiser (right), the ePRT III leader, participate in the cutting of the ribbon at the grand opening ceremony of the Rabee packing shed in Adhamiyah, June 14, the first modern fruit and vegetable packing facility in Iraq.
BAGHDAD — "It [the packing facility] will allow farmers to receive more value for their efforts,” said Glen Keiser. “The produce will be properly cleaned, packed, stored, and transported to different markets around the country."
According to Inma, a branch of the U.S. Agency for Int'l Development, by adopting modern post-harvest handling methods, local growers will not only address strategic shortfalls of quality home-grown fruits and vegetables, but will also create jobs for a large part of the of the area's rural workforce.
"The packing shed serves as a model for future packing sheds around the country," said Keiser. "Inma has almost completed a second packing shed in the Taji area, and plans on building 3 more in the urban Baghdad area. I find this very encouraging and exciting; and see this as an agricultural advance for Iraq."
Most packing facilities in Iraq are currently inadequate. Poor packaging techniques contribute to 60% of the fruits and vegetables that are damaged beyond consumption. This is due to farmers generally lacking post-harvest skills, proper storage facilities and technology required to transport produce over long distances.
"This project that we're about to open represents cooperation between people and it is a gift from American people to Iraqi people," said Shaykh Ali Mejbel-ghreeri, the Rabee fruit and vegetable packing shed owner. “We hope that it will be the first initiative and not the last regarding this area in order to enhance the [lives] of the Iraqi people."
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Special to American Forces Press Service
Face of Defense: 5 Brothers Make Navy Their Family Business
By Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Katesha Washington
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Roberts holds a photo of him, his 4 brothers and his son, a Marine, while taking a break from his duties in the bn's steel shop at Al Asad Air Base, June 3, 2009.
AL ASAD AIR BASE – For 5 brothers from a small town in Kentucky, serving in the military is a family tradition.
Chief Petty Officer Chad Roberts, Petty Officers 1st Class Jody and Dwayne Roberts, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Roberts are brothers who serve in the Navy, and with the same unit -- Naval Mobile Construction Bn 24, a Seabee unit based out of Lexington, Ky. Their brother, Bruce, retired from the Navy in 2006.
Chad and Chris, both steelworkers, and Dwayne, a construction electrician, are deployed to western Anbar province in Iraq. Jody, also a steelworker and the youngest boy out of 7 children, did not deploy overseas with his brothers, but supports them while they're gone.
The brothers’ childhood dreams included the possibilities of becoming a professional baseball player, a veterinarian or even a farmer. Never did any one of them imagine that he, much less all of the brothers -- would join the Navy. But fate and their overwhelming love of country drew them to where they are now.
Dwayne, the oldest of the siblings, was the first to join the Navy, in 1984. He didn’t join seeking excitement or to just have a 9-to-5 job, but rather to achieve his aspiration for a higher education, and to satisfy his desire to serve his country. “I wanted to get educated and serve my country,” he said. “I was already married, but couldn’t afford to go to college, because my wife and I were both ‘bringing home the bacon’ so to speak.”
Dwayne’s younger brothers, Chad and Jody, joined the AF in 1984 and 1986, respectively. After completing their obligated 4 years of service, they left the AF, and Dwayne finished his 4 years in the Navy. More than 10 years passed before any of them thought of putting on a military uniform again.
Then, on Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists attacked America. “It was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Chris, the middle child of the family, said of the tragedy. “I didn’t like the fact that we were attacked on our own soil in the U.S. I knew I had to do something.”
Exactly 2 weeks after the attack, he raised his right hand and swore to support and defend the U.S. as a member of the Navy Reserve. Dwayne, Chad and Jody already had re-enlisted months before the attack. “To do something like serving in the military is the most honorable thing one can do for their country,” Jody Roberts said. “Everyone needs to fight for the freedom of our country -- stand up, do your duty, and do it with honor, courage and commitment. That's the backbone of our military and a code we live by.”
The only opportunity for all 5 brothers to be in one location while serving in the Navy came in 2003, when Chad, Jody, Dwayne and Chris were at the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, but Bruce was unable to get orders there.
The Roberts brothers attribute their enthusiasm for service to the love and support they’ve received from their own families and their local community in Kentucky. “Our community is very supportive,” Chad Roberts said. “We all live in a small town of roughly 600 people, so everybody helps out our wives and watches out for our kids at school and around town.”
Their father and their mother, Barbara, are especially supportive and proud of the sacrifices that their sons are making for their country. They never tried to talk any of them out of joining the military, and they were not surprised when they finally joined.
“We taught them to stand together in whatever they did and to support each other through life,” Barbara Roberts said. “They're not only brothers, but also are friends.”
The deep connection the brothers have with each other and the Navy is something they hope to pass on, and already have begun to sow the seeds of brotherly love and commitment into their sons – Chris’ son is a Marine, while Bruce’s son followed his father’s footsteps into the Navy. Family get-togethers, they all agree, bring them even closer.
“We grew up as a close family doing the usual family vacations,” Chad Roberts said. “My mom and dad both have close families, so it was second nature to us. We all went into the military, but after our service was over, we all returned to our small town we grew up in to raise our own families there. So now we drill together, go camping together, and just spend time together.”
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DoD Imagery
Army Commander Meets With Shaykhs
By Staff Sgt. Carlos Burger
Col. Butch Kievenaar, 2nd BCT, 4th ID cmdr, talks to key Basrah province shaykhs about civil action projects, in a meeting held at the Basrah Ops Center, June 16.
BASRAH — The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the bde cmdr to the shaykhs, as well as discuss partnership as it’s related to the U.S.-Iraqi Security Agreement, said Maj. Richard Fierro, fire support officer for the bde.
"Since we moved into the province, I wanted you to hear from me what our purpose is, and what we're doing to help the people of Basrah," Kievenaar said during the meeting. "We're turning over this month 2 locations. They both will be handed over back to the IP before the end of the month," Kievenaar said. He also stated that 2 other locations will continue to have a U.S. presence to train the ISF at the request of key leaders in the province. "Currently, we have 103 projects ongoing in the city of Basrah,” he said. “These projects are all designed to help improve the quality of life."
Looking forward, Kievenaar said, "Part of the challenge with these projects is that by our own U.S. law, we have to go in and certify these projects. After the 30th of June, I'm sure you will hear from your people how they saw Americans in Basrah, but please assure them we're only there to continue the work on these projects, and make sure the contractors get paid.”
Fierro said that engaging the shaykhs in the area is a great way to reach out to the people of Basrah. "Talking to the shaykhs is another avenue of approach to foster partnership with the populace," he said. "What we're trying to do is open up communications between all of the tribal leaders and our forces so that there are no secrets, and we're sharing info to provide an avenue to resolve any issues," he said.
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RCT 3 RSS
Marine Corps Mailman Keeps His Bn Motivated in Afghanistan
Story by Lance Cpl. John McCall
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand Province – Mail doesn't seem like a very big deal to most people, but to Marines deployed to Afghanistan it means the world to them. "I like to see other people happy," said Lance Cpl. Corey Gosey, the bn mail clerk for 1st Bn, 5th Marine Regt. "Knowing that someone else can get a care package from their mom or a letter from their wife is a good feeling.
"This isn't what I pictured myself doing when I joined the Marine Corps," Gosey said.
Originally a mortarman with 1/5, Gosey suffered a knee injury during boot camp that he never fully recovered from. "I didn't know what to think at the time. I thought this can't be happening to me - it's too early," said the 21 year old.
Medically "broken" Gosey would be unable to deploy with his bn in the billet of a mortarman. "I would go to physical therapy and get better, but then we would go train and I would hurt my knee again," he explained.
Gosey was transferred to HQ and Service Co in January to be a mail clerk, allowing his knee time to heal in a less strenuous environment, and giving him his opportunity to deploy. "Being here and seeing how a lot of people depend on mail, I feel good about handing out the mail," he said. "Things could be a lot worse for me. I could be in worse condition, or even be out of the Marine Corps," he said. "I'm very grateful to be able to do my part and feel like I serve a purpose."
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U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs RSS
Tactical Communications Airmen Keep Military Ops Online, on Target
Story by Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary
Staff Sgt. Andrew Palmer, telephone maintenance specialist, Nangarhar PRT, performs routine maintenance on a MRAP Vehicle, May 30, at FOB Fenley Shields. The PRT is responsible for development and reconstruction projects in Nangarhar province. The projects are built by local contractors and are designed to improve the livelihood of the people living in the area.
FOB FINLEY-SHIELDS -- Performing missions within Nangarhar province requires the U.S. military to maintain an open line of communication at all times, especially when convoys take people outside the wire.
For one Airman in particular, the role of tactical communications means knowing a variety of communications equipment is helping give the ground forces accessibility to real-time capabilities, staying in contact with base ops, as well as knowing moment-to-moment the critical info of a particular environment.
"I deal with tactical radio systems and the Blue Force Tracker system which give us situational awareness in a battlefield environment," said Staff Sgt. Josh Newman, tactical communications NCO-in-charge who is deployed from the 6th Communications Sqdrn, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. "My shop is also responsible for keeping systems functional so the intel world has an overall view of the battlefield, which gives the guys who go outside-the-wire the cover they need."
The job required Newman to attend advanced training with the Army prior to deploying. For 5 weeks at Fort Gordon, Ga., the sergeant went through the Army S6 course, which is historically a class targeting officers in the ranks of capt. and above. His was the first class in which he and 6 other enlisted Airmen were allowed to enroll, giving Newman an even broader scope of the communication systems available on the battlefield.
One of the things the sgt has had to overcome is how to repair systems when they eventually go offline or need maintenance. "This deployment has reinforced how effortless repair back at home is," he said. "Here, I am learning how to make due with what I have, which has made me think outside the box - something the Army training definitely prepared me for."
Being responsible for the communications for the PRT, ADT and HCT assets has required the communications people to work a grueling schedule of long hours. This frequently requires traveling to austere locations to give communications support while on convoys. They also need to know the complete spectrum of the communications world and how to find a fix when one is required.
"This job has been so different from other jobs," Newman said. "People come to you with all types of problems and it's my responsibility to get them a fix or find them an answer. I'm lucky enough to work with a really competent group of people, and I wouldn't be able to do half the stuff without them."
"There's a sense of urgency to our job because people need to talk when they go out," Newman said. "If you don't get enough training on certain equipment, you need to become familiar real quick, because those guys are counting on having that open line of communication when they leave the gates."
"This deployment has given me a finer appreciation for how hard I have to bust my butt to give these guys the communication they need," he said. "I do what I do for these guys who roll around outside the wire. As long as they come back okay, then it's been a successful day."
Staff Sgt. Josh Newman, satellite systems specialist, Nangarhar PRT, performs routine maintenance on a MRAP Vehicle.
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U.S. Forces Afghanistan RSS
Districts in Farah, Zabul Safer Following ANSF, CF Ops
KABUL – Afghan national SECFOR and CF met with local elders in Khak e-Safed District, Farah province, following the forces' op against prominent militant leadership in the area, June 19. Leaders discussed the op's importance in reclaiming safety for the district's citizens, as well as ways to satisfy infrastructure and medical needs in the district.
While on a patrol earlier today, several militants engaged the combined force. The force returned fire, ultimately killing militant leader Haji Jan. Haji Ghulam Jan is a logistics expert and IED facilitator with connections to multiple Taliban cmdrs and foreign forces.
In other ops, several militants engaged a combined ANSF and CF on patrol in Arghandab District, Zabul province, and were killed when the force returned fire. Local militant leader and IED facilitator Hikmatullah was found among the dead. Several militants were also detained during the engagement.
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U.S. Forces Afghanistan RSS
Jalrez District Conducts First All-female Shura
Women from Jalrez District attend an all-female shura with reps from Wardak Provincial Office of Women's Affairs and CF, June 17.
KABUL – More than 150 women attended the event, where a variety of issues were discussed, including security, quality of life, religious concerns and civil liberties. The Afghan Public Protection Program was commended by the group as the primary reason for improved security in Jalrez District, and the increased security provided by this force enabled the shura to occur.
The ever-improving security situation encouraged all participants to request additional all-female shuras to occur in other areas of Jalrez District.
The Afghan Public Protection Force provided security and conducted a humanitarian assistance distribution following the events. More than 100 pairs of shoes, 100 sets of women's and children's clothing, and 100 soccer balls were distributed. Additionally, key female communicators attending the event received radios and Afghanistan flags.
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