Knee Deep in the Hooah!

We have a returning theme this week. Last week many of the stories highlighted the accomplishments of the Iraqi Army, the SOI and the IP. Keep up the good work, guys!

Iraqi Troops capture mid-level AQI leader, six other suspects

BAGHDAD (May 4, 2008) –

Soldiers with the 5th Iraqi Army Division and a Muqdadiyah Special Weapons and Tactics team, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained a mid-level al-Qaeda in Iraq leader and detained six other suspected terrorists in an operation in As Sa’diya, approximately 55 miles northeast of Baghdad, May 3. Read more…

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‘Sisters’ are doing it for themselves

by Lance Cpl. Robert Medina 1st Marine Logistics Group

http://www.centcom.mil/en/press-releases/285.html

FALLUJAH, Iraq (May 8, 2008) – Marines on a female search team and Iraqi women with the “Sisters of Fallujah” program have been working together at an entry control point here to help make the city of Fallujah a safer place.

The program was formed because females were needed to search other females. In Islamic tradition, a man touching a woman who is not his wife is considered offensive.

Just like Iraqi security forces that have been assuming more responsibilities, Iraqi women are striving to do the same with the help of Marine FSTs.

“(The Sisters of Fallujah) are our eyes and ears inside the booth, where we cannot go,” said Sgt. William A. Lamascus, sergeant of the guard of ECP-1. “It helps to have them here because when they find things, they bring it to our attention.” Read more

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Iraqi women’s committee reps meet in Mahmudiyah

by Sgt. David Turner 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

Public Affairs Office

FOB KALSU (May 7, 2008) — Representatives from four local women’s committees in the Rasheed Nahia met in Mahmudiyah, 20 miles south of Baghdad, May 5.

Among those attending the gathering were Soldiers of Multi-National Division – Center and the U.S. State Department’s embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team Baghdad-7, who helped organize the committees.

Women’s issues are nothing new to the Government of Iraq, and now, after years of turmoil and the rebuilding of the nation’s institutions, the committees have provided many women a support channel, said Capt. Trista Mustaine, ePRT women’s assistance group leader.

“It’s trying to build connectivity that’s been severed,” she said. Read more

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Market opening spurs return of prosperity in Basra

BASRA, Iraq (May 7, 2008)

Citizens of Basra, the third-largest city in Iraq, celebrated the opening yesterday of a central market that demonstrated a return of peace and prosperity to an area that until recently was a stronghold of Shia militias.

Schools closed early as families from the Jameat district gathered with local dignitaries, investors and media to watch the ceremonial opening of the Jameat Market, Multinational Corps Iraq officials reported.

“I am pleased to open the Jameat Market, which is an excellent example of the many projects contributing to the rebuilding of Iraq,” said Nigel Haywood, the British consular general in southern Iraq. “This project will help establish prosperity in Basra.” Read more

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Iraqi, Coalition troops detain 29 in raid

by Spc. Amanda McBride 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

Public Affairs Office

FOB KALSU, Iraq (May 6, 2008)

In an effort to clear out criminals in the area, Iraqi army soldiers raided several houses in the city of Jabella, Iraq, May 2.

With support from coalition forces, the raid resulted in the detainment of 29 suspected insurgents.

Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 31st Brigade, 8th IA Division, led the early morning raid, with help from Soldiers with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, currently attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

“This raid was very successful,” said 2nd Lt. Kyle Comfort, a native of Anniston, Ala., and currently assigned to Company B. “Once the operation got rolling, they already had a cordon off of the city.”

With information from Iraqi intelligence, the soldiers set out to start clearing the area of caches, suspected criminals and illegal weapons.

“This was actually a completely Iraqi army (conducted) raid,” Comfort said. “They were in charge of planning and coordinating the operation.”

*snip*

The detainees and weapons were turned over to the IA soldiers for further questioning.

The daytime raid was another operation conducted in support of Marne Rugged, an operation to establish security for local Iraqi communities against al-Qaida in Iraq and criminal forces. Read more

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Karada Vocational Training Center provides new start

by Pfc. Michael Schuch 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

FOB HAMMER, Iraq (May 7, 2008) – Iraqi citizens near Jisr Diyala, Iraq, now have new opportunities in providing for their families, thanks to the Karada Vocational Training Center.

The training center offers local Iraqis the chance to learn entry-level skills required to obtain jobs through a wide variety of courses, such as masonry, welding, sewing and electrical installation.

“Now the Iraqi graduates have these basic skill sets,” said Mickey Toreano, U.S. Agency for International Development representative. “As businesses return to the Jisr Diyala area, they will be able to fill the jobs.”

Toreano called it a good start for the Iraqi people, as it will give them other options to feed their families instead of planting improvised explosive devices for money.

The center’s most recent course cycle produced 66 graduates out of a total of 81 students. The previous cycle produced only six graduates, before Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team began promoting the center. They did so by talking with governmental counterparts and encouraged them to take slots at the academy. Read more

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Transition Team Teaches Skills to Iraqi Army Soldiers

Friday, 09 May 2008 By Pvt. Christopher McKenna

3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT), PAO

FOB Falcon

A Military Transition Team stationed at FOB Falcon, about eight kilometers south of Baghdad, plays a rigorous and important role in rebuilding the capacity of Iraq. The MiTT helps the Iraqi Army to operate in an optimal manner, said Sgt. Chad Highland, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Soldiers from the MiTT, assigned to 1-33rd Cav. Regt., teaches a five-day Iraqi basic training course using U.S. Army knowledge converted into something Iraqi Army Soldiers can execute.

“It’s basically a course to teach basic Soldiering skills and something to refresh what they … already learned in their basic training,” said San Antonio native Sgt. Adam Troxel, MiTT gunner and trainer.

The five-day course, taught monthly, has a capacity for 25 Soldiers; five from each of the companies with 3rd Battalion, 25th Brigade, 6th IA Division. Read more

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200 Students Graduate from Iskandariyah Vocational-Technical School

Friday, 09 May 2008 By Pvt. Christopher McKenna

3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT), PAO

FOB Kasul

Approximately 200 students from the Vocational-Technical School in the Iskandariyah Industrial Complex (IIC) graduated May 4 with friends and family members in attendance. “I’d like to say congratulations to the vo-tech director and his staff but most of all to the students of this graduating class,” said Lt. Col. Jeff McKone, Multi-National Division – Center Iskandariyah Industrial Complex liaison, Team Iskan officer in charge. “It is an honor to be a part of the success in the rebuilding of the Iskandariyah vo-tech. Read more

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Bridge Brings Two Provinces Closer Together

TIKRIT — A ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening two temporary bridges in Bayji was held May 8.

These two bridges, which expand over the Tigris River, will promote more trade and stimulate the economy of the region by allowing the people of the provinces of Salah ad Din and Kirkuk to unite.

Iraqi Security Forces helped to set the conditions in the area to make it possible to reconstruct the bridge, symbolizing the dedication of the ISF. With the skilled workmanship of the Iraqi Army Field Engineer Company who along with the Coalition Forces, built this monument to the people of Iraq.

“This bridge is a symbol of the perseverance of the Iraqi Spirit and the steadfast dedication to return Iraq to its rightful place in the Arab world. This bridge is a milestone towards the permanent bridge which will usher in a brighter future for the people of Salah ad Din and Iraq,” said Col. Melvin L. Burch, commander of the 111th Engineer Brigade.

(Multi-National Division – North PAO) LINK

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Platoon’s Teamwork Keeps Wheels Rolling

Friday, 09 May 2008 By Pfc. Monica K. Smith

3rd CAB, 3rd Inf. Div., PAO

Camp Striker — Despite the frustrations that can accompany a year in deployment, Soldiers in Company E, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment’s maintenance platoon have remained a close-knit team.

“I enjoy working hard with my peers, my (noncommissioned officers) and getting the job done,” said Spc. Shaneka Simmons, from Fort Meade, Fla. “It makes Iraq better than it seems by having good people around you.”

The platoon provides maintenance to all ground support equipment within the battalion, which includes trucks, trailers and generators, in addition to dispatching vehicles, conducting services and performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Read more

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Iraqi Army receives delivery of over 100 specialty vehicles through Foreign Military Sales (Baghdad)

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No. 080510-01

May 10, 2008

BAGHDAD, Iraq

– The Iraqi Army received a shipment of more than 100 specialty vehicles at Old al Muthana Vehicle Warehouse through the Foreign Military Sales program here May 8.

The delivery included 19 Chevrolet Integral Ambulances, 74 International™ 5-ton cargo trucks, 12 Heavy Equipment Transports with 60-ton trailers, as well as a number of 1-ton utility trailers and 2,000 liter water trailers.

The transportation equipment, which cost over $14 million, was paid for through FMS, a program where the government of Iraq purchases defense equipment and supplies with Iraqi funds. The FMS program in Iraq is managed by the Security Assistance Office within the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq. The function of the Security Assistance Office is to help the Iraqi government build its defense capability through the purchase of defense equipment and services.

Now that the vehicles and accessories have arrived, it is the responsibility of the Iraqi Ministry of Defence to decide what units will receive the vehicles. This delivery is part of an on-going effort to furnish the Iraqi Army with much needed equipment, said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Keith Muschalek, MNSTC-I SAO FMS case officer.

Currently, the Old al Muthana Vehicle Warehouse has 57 2,000 liter water trailers, 282 1-ton utility trailers, 179 international 5-ton cargo trucks, 33 Chevrolet ambulances, 12 60–ton HETs, 49 gazelles, three wreckers, and two motorcycles on hand for distribution. Many of these units have been delivered just this week.

The 19 ambulances delivered today, along with shipment that arrived May 7, are part of the initial order of 33 ambulances placed in July, 2007. This is the first set of ambulances that the Government of Iraq has paid for with FMS funds.

“These vehicles are made to order, they were produced specifically for the Iraqi Army,” said Muschalek. “Once the vehicles arrive, the next step is training the Iraqi force on how to use the equipment,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Brett H. Hicks, MNSTC-I Health Affairs medical logistics officer.

“When the ambulances get to the clinics, the Iraqi personnel will receive training on them from our medics,” said Hicks. The Iraqi people are preparing to take the lead and with this new equipment and the training that will follow, the Iraqi people will have the resources and capabilities to succeed, he added. (entire news release reprinted with permission) Source link

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ISF, MND-B kill 8 criminals, seize four caches in separate operations (Baghdad)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RELEASE No. 20080510-01

May 10, 2008

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division – Baghdad

Soldiers killed eight criminals, who attacked Coalition force soldiers with rocketpropelled grenades and small-arms fire. ISF and MND-B Soldiers also seized four weapons caches during combat operations in Baghdad May 9 that continue to safeguard Iraqi citizens.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., MND-B soldiers discovered an improvised explosive device and a 122 mm rocket off a tip from Iraqi National Police.

At approximately 2 p.m., soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, killed three criminals who attacked their patrol with small-arms fire and RPGs.

At approximately 2:20 p.m., soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, discovered a weapons cache in southern Baghdad. The cache was discovered on a combined security patrol with Iraqi Army soldiers from 43rd Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division. The cache consisted of rifles, more than 400 rounds of ammunition and more than 50 mortar fuses.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, killed two criminals in the New Baghdad district of eastern Baghdad after the criminals fired an RPG at their patrol and missed.

At approximately 3:15 p.m., soldiers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team,4th Infantry Division, discovered pipe bombs, a PKC light machine gun, more than 600 PKC light machine guns rounds, a 60mm mortar round, and a grenade. The cache was found based on a tip from an Iraqi citizen.

At approximately 4:15 p.m., Iraqi Army soldiers from the 6th Iraqi Army Division, working with National Police officers from the 5th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division confiscated an RPG, grenades, a machine gun and ammunition.

At approximately 4:45 p.m., soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division were struck by two explosively formed projectile IEDs in northeastern Baghdad. Following the IED strikes, three criminals attacked the soldiers with small-arms fire. The soldiers defended themselves and killed the criminals.

“These criminals attack innocent Iraqi citizens and Iraqi and Coalition Forces,” said Maj. Joey Sullinger, spokesperson for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. “Along with our Iraqi counterparts and the Government of Iraq, we will continue to meet these criminals head on with deadly force. We will protect the people of Iraq and restore safety and security throughout Baghdad.” (entire news release reprinted with permission). Source link

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Al Qaeda Decapitated in Iraq

www.strategypage.com
by James Dunnigan
May 7, 2008

Between mid-March and mid-April, al Qaeda suffered major losses in Iraq. American and Iraqi troops killed or captured 53 al Qaeda leaders. These include men in charge of entire cities (or portions of large cities like Mosul or Baghdad), as well as men in charge of various aspects of terror operations (making bombs, placing them or minding the bombers).

Most important, nine of the ten most senior men involved, were captured, and interrogated. This led to locating more al Qaeda staff, and assets. Hundreds of weapons and explosives caches have been discovered this year, as a result of interrogating captured terrorists. Read more