Knee Deep in the Hooah!

Here’s your weekly inoculation of good news against the negative MSM “Defeatist Disease.” Once again, there was so much to choose from that this post would be a mile long if I hadn’t gone through and picked out a cross section of the articles. The first one is out of Djibouti. I even posted a thank you note to the troops that I found on the Multi-National forces page. It was very touching!

There’s lots of good stuff out there, and as usual our troops and the coalition forces are kicking terrorist butt! There are 17 articles…

Sailors, Soldiers repair school

by Petty Officer 3rd Class John Hulle

CJTF-HOA DJIBOUTI

(Excerpt)

(June 12, 2008) — U.S. Servicemembers here gathered an assortment of materials and construction skills to make repairs to the Balbalas primary school. Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74, based out of Gulfport, Miss., and Soldiers from the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion, based out of Columbus, Ohio, replaced light fixtures, hinges and hasps on shutters, fixed doorframes and repaired a water pump and cistern during an ongoing project at the school that is expected to be completed in June.

The soldiers and sailors are deployed to Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa. “I enjoy coming out and working on projects like this. I like to get out and help the community,” said Builder 2nd Class Kevin Bragwell, NMCB 74 crewmember. “Plus, every time we come out here, there’s something different to do.”

This was the first time Army Capt. Sikiru Kafaru, 412th CA BN team leader, worked side by side with Seabees. Kafaru said this was an “outstanding” experience. “For us it’s an exciting thing,” he said. “We appreciate the Seabees getting involved.” Without NMCB 74′s involvement, the 412th CA BN would have just donated the materials. Instead, by using the construction force’s building expertise, the crew is able to complete the many small projects and spend more time interacting with the community. Read MORE

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Thank you note to the troops: “Hey Veteran! Thanks for my Freedom”

Saturday, 14 June 2008

I find your commitment and service inspirational. My bumper sticker yells to the country and you “Hey Veteran! Thanks for my Freedom”. When I find your loved ones in need here while you are there I do what I can to help. Whether it is a tank of gas or a bag of groceries I am happy to give back.

God Bless and Thank you. Tim, Pepin, WI, USA

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Iraqi army troops take lead in joint operation

by U.S. Army Grant Okubo

4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div.

(Excerpt)

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq (June 9, 2008) — Patriot Brigade Soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, conducted a combined operation with Iraqi army soldiers in Muthana, June 5.

Soldiers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment and 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi army division worked together to conduct a combined search operation at a suspected cache site.

The mission ran smoothly and went a lot quicker than search operations typically do, said Staff Sgt. Jerry Anderson of Co. D. Although they did not find a cache, the mission proved worth while as a deterrent to militants that use locations like these for illegal activities, said the San Angelo, Texas native.

Missions like these are important for ensuring the security of Iraq by taking weapons out of the hands of extremists and discouraging future illegal acts of violence, said Anderson. Conducting combined operations with IA is standard operating procedure for Co. D.

“We work with the IA exclusively now for all these types of missions,” explained Anderson. “They have demonstrated that they are capable of conducting these kinds of missions; and eventually, they’ll be able to do it by themselves without any help from coalition forces.” Read MORE

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Iraqi flight teams protect date palm crop

Armed Forces Press Service

(Excerpt)

WASHINGTON, DC (June 10, 2008) – Iraq’s Agriculture Ministry improved its ability to protect the nation’s commercial date palm crop from deadly dubas beetles through a nationwide spraying program completed this week.

Pilots and maintenance crews increased their coverage by 33 percent this year, spraying nearly 170,000 acres in six provinces. Last year, crews sprayed just more than 120,000 acres in four provinces.

“Left unchecked, the dubas beetle, which bores into the tree and kills it, can seriously disrupt the production of dates in the area,” said Mike Stevens, a Baghdad 7 Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team agriculture advisor. Read MORE

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Eagles Send in the Troops

By Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray

Regimental Combat Team – 5

(Excerpt)

CAMP AL QA’IM, Iraq – Dust and debris filled the air as a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter approached the landing pad with gunners manning their weapons on the port and starboard sides of the helicopter. The rear platform dropped and a team quickly disembarked, ready to continue its mission.

The team wasn’t made up of Marines, however, it was five cheerleaders with the Philadelphia Eagles on a tour to visit deployed service members in Kuwait and Iraq.

The cheerleaders’ quest to get into country and visit deployed troops was not an easy one and took almost two years to accomplish. They finally got their wish and headed to Kuwait on June 1. They stopped at a few bases along the way and arrived here June 6, where the “Warlords” of Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, reside. Read MORE

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2/2 Gets a Tour of New Husaybah

By Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray

Regimental Combat Team – 5

(Excerpt)

Husaybah, Iraq – Store owners here open shop every morning to provide a wide variety of goods and services. The store owners welcome Marines with open arms, eager to meet new friends, but it wasn’t always this way.

Lt. Col. Steven J. Grass, the battalion commander of Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, and the mayor of Al Qa’im walked through the streets of Husaybah to visit shops and greet the townspeople here, June 2.

“You can see how relaxed the people are now,” said Farhan Tekan Farhan, the mayor of Al Qa’im. “Before, if anyone was seen talking to Marines, insurgents would come back after the Marines left and kill them.”

Shops closed down and citizens avoided the market due to the possibility of losing their lives.

“In 2005, no one would go to the market,” Farhan said. “Insurgents forced shop owners to close their businesses and leave, or just robbed them. You could sense the fear there.”

Locals came out to greet the Marines walking in the street and approached them with confidence. Marines still go back to their bases after patrolling Husaybah, but now Iraqis have others to watch over them. The Iraqi police and Iraqi army have trained to stand up against those who would bring harm to their city.

“Thank God security and peace have been restored to this city,” Farhan said. “We hope through the Iraqi police, Iraqi army and the Marines, that the situation stays like it is for years to come.” Read MORE

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In Sadr City, 1,500 Iraqi Citizens Participate in Peaceful Prayer Demonstration

Multi-National Division – Baghdad Public Affairs Office

Courtesy Story Posted on 06.14.2008

(full article, public domain)

BAGHDAD – Approximately 1,500 Iraqi citizens attended a peaceful prayer demonstration in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, June 13.

The demonstration, which occurred around noon, was believed to be in response to Muqtada al-Sadr’s May 27 directive for his followers to conduct peaceful protests of the status of forces agreement being negotiated between the governments of Iraq and the U.S. after Friday noon prayers.

The number of protestors has decreased dramatically over the past three weeks. About 10,000 protestors attended the first protest May 30, followed by approximately 3,000, June 6. Source LINK

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Iraqi Army, Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers Seize Large Weapons Cache in Khadamiya

Courtesy Story

Posted on 06.13.2008

Multi-National Division – Baghdad Public Affairs Office

(full article – public domain)

BAGHDAD – Iraqi army soldiers with the 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi army division uncovered a large weapons cache in the Khadamiya district of Baghdad at approximately 4 p.m., June 13.

The cache consisted of 30 sets of body armor, 10 improvised explosive devices, nine explosively formed projectiles, four 107 mm rockets, 10 rocket propelled grenades, 28 sticks of C4 explosives; 18, 120 mm mortar rounds; 20, 82 mm mortar rounds; 33, 81 mm mortar rounds; eight 60 mm mortar rounds, a 120 mm mortar tube, three 81 mm mortar tubes, a 60 mm mortar tube, a 60 mm mortar bipod, two 81 mm mortar bipods, a 120 mm mortar bipod, an 81 mm mortar base plate, a 120 mm mortar base plate, seven anti-personnel mines, 40 pounds of homemade explosives, liquid accelerant, shocks, fuses, various wires and detonation cord.

“This is a good news story on so many levels,” said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman, MND-B and 4th Inf. Div. “It clearly shows their competency and their physical presence here in Baghdad. Furthermore, due to the shear number of improvised explosive devices, explosively formed projectiles, mortar tubes and mortar rounds, there is no doubt in my mind the jundi are life savers. MND-B Soldiers owe the 22-6 Iraqi army soldiers our heartfelt gratitude.” Source LINK

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IP Making Difference in Local Baghdad Community

Story by Sgt. Daniel Blottenberger

18th Military Police Brigade

Posted on 06.13.2008

(Excerpt)

CAMP VICTORY – When Iraqi police and coalition forces arrived at the Zainab Girls School in Hurriyah June 12, they were met by the smiling faces of more than 50 children and their caretakers in the Baghdad community.

“This makes it all worth while,” said 1st Sgt. Thomas Gray, 64th MP Co., 18th Military Police Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, who is a native of Oxford, Conn., after boxes full of school supplies and toys were handed out to the grateful Iraqi children.

The Hurriyah IP brought toys and supplies to hand out to the children to help show the families of the area that IP were here to help protect and serve the community. Read MORE

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Teachers Prepare to Return to South Baghdad Schools

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

06.13.2008

(Excerpt)

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – For school children in the south Baghdad area, getting an education has become a difficult, even dangerous prospect in recent years. In some cases, supplies were short and facilities were in disrepair. Sometimes the teachers weren’t there. In a few cases, the schools themselves were all but gone.

The area where the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division arrived in June 2007, had long been an insurgent strong hold, with many villages controlled by al-Qaida terrorists who kept children, especially girls, from attending school. With no coalition or Iraqi security force presence, local schools suffered the same fate as many farms and businesses in the area. They were looted and damaged, even becoming battlegrounds.

“About two years ago, the Ministry of Education ordered all of the teachers out of the rural areas because the security situation was so bad,” said Capt. Trista Mustaine, education adviser to the Baghdad-7 embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team, which works with the 2nd BCT to rebuild the local infrastructure and economy.

The area is now more secure than it has been in years, with Iraqi army and Iraqi police establishing a presence and preparing to hold the gains made by the 2nd BCT, which is scheduled to redeploy in July. Read MORE

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Iron MPs Continue Making History

By Spc. Opal Vaughn 14th Public Affairs Detachment

06.13.2008

(Excerpt)

KADASIA, Iraq – They are physically fit, mentally tough and thoroughly trained in everything they do. Dating back to the 1940′s, these Soldiers come from a long history of motivated military policemen that served with pride. Based out of Wiesbaden, Germany, the Soldiers of the 501st Military Police Company, 1st Armored Division stand strong as a testimony of living history in being the Iron MP’s, Old Ironsides’ last divisional MP’s.

“Dismount on left. Prepare to dismount,” Sgt. Joseph Shannonhouse, a Plymouth, N.C. native, utters through the radio.

After they dismounted their vehicles in the Kadasia neighborhood, the Iron MP’s hit the pavement to talk with the local residents and ask questions to improve their living environments, May 23. Read MORE

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94th Brigade Support Battalion Soldiers Deliver Goods

Story by Sgt. Jeremy Todd

4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

Posted on 06.13.2008

(Excerpt)

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq — Soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Multi-National Division – Baghdad, fulfilled a vital role as they delivered supplies during a Deliberate Combat Logistical Patrol to Forward Operating Base Loyalty, June 6.

Patriot Brigade Soldiers from Company A, 94th Brigade Support Battalion, conduct an ongoing mission convoying from FOB to FOB with supplies, said Sgt. Matthew McCormick, a Boller, Texas, native, and non-commissioned officer in Co. A.

In addition to traveling to and from various FOBs, 94th BSB Soldiers support joint security stations and other combat outposts with much-needed supplies, said Sgt. 1st Class Laderek Terrell Green, a support operations non-commissioned officer in charge assigned to Co. A, who hails from McComb, Miss.

“Ammo, water, food (and) anything they need to get the mission accomplished – that’s what we take them,” explained McCormick. The 94th BSB Soldiers conduct daily missions, which does not include non-scheduled supply missions that can come up, said Green. Read MORE

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Combat Logistics Battalion-1 Marines Train Sisters of Ferris

Story by Lance Cpl. Cindy Alejandrez, 1st Marine Logistics Group

06.13.2008

(Excerpt)

FERRIS, Iraq – Five women graduated a female searchers training course June 5, which prepared them to work alongside Iraqi policemen at entry control points.

The Sisters of Ferris, trained by Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, with support from Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, will inspect women for weapons, suicide vests, large amounts of cash and contraband at ECPs. Read MORE

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‘Kick for Nick’ Brings Soccer to Children

Courtesy Story

1st Lt. Zach Boes, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

06.12.2008

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ISKAN, Iraq – Receiving a soccer ball may not seem like a big deal to some, but for the Iraqi children who don’t have much in the Hay Mo’Alamen and al-Jursa neighborhoods of Musayyib, the round ball gives them something to entertain themselves with now that summer is here.

The Soldiers, from 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, handed out 40 soccer balls to local children during a patrol, June 3, as part of a program founded to honor a fallen comrade.

“Kick for Nick,” was established in honor of Pfc. Nicholas A. Madaras, who was killed, Sept. 3, 2006, due to injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol during combat operations in Baqubah, Iraq. Read MORE

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Sons of Iraq repel second attack in Salah ad-Din province

Thursday, 12 June 2008

Multi-National Corps – Iraq Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RELEASE No. 20080612-10

TIKRIT, Iraq – The homes of several Sons of Iraq members were attacked by al-Qaeda fighters, near the town of Ishaki in the Salah ad-Din province June 11,

The SOI members successfully defended their homes in the ensuing firefight, which left four enemy fighters dead and three SOI injured. Three suicide vests laden with explosives, and a vehicle laden with explosives were found on the scene and later destroyed by explosive ordnance disposal technicians.

This is the second time in two weeks the SOI in the Salah ad-Din province were attacked and successfully repelled deliberate attacks by enemy criminals. On May 29, SoI near Owja killed nine enemy fighters who attempted to overrun an SOI checkpoint by detonating a suicide vest and attacking with small arms fire.

“Al-Qaeda in Iraq are becoming more and more desperate in their attempts to discourage a burgeoning Sons of Iraq movement here in the Salah ad-Din province,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Hauerwas, a spokesman for the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. “The willingness of the Sons of Iraq to fight the enemy toe to toe, demonstrates their resolve to expel AQI from this province.” Source LINK

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Improved Iraqi Security Leads to Reconstruction, Jobs

Friday, 13 June 2008

By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD — Improvements in overall security incidents and Iraqi forces continued to rise during the past week, enabling the central government and coalition forces to begin progress in other areas vital to Iraq’s growth and sovereignty, a senior U.S. military official in Iraq said June 11.

The country began to see a reduction in security incidents four weeks ago, marking the lowest levels since March 2004, Army Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told reporters at a Baghdad news conference. The Iraqi government is undertaking broader efforts to provide services that were not possible a year ago, such as reconstruction in Sadr City and the Shola neighborhoods as well as agricultural initiatives across the country, he said. Read MORE

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Locals lead Iraqi, Coalition forces to sizeable weapons caches near Balad

Friday, 13 June 2008

Multi-National Corps – Iraq Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RELEASE No. 20080613-04

TIKRIT, Iraq – Local citizens’ tips led Iraqi and Coalition forces to sizeable weapons caches over the last two weeks in and around the city of Balad.

Balad citizens informed Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 32nd Calvary Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) of caches consisting of 16 phone bases, 12 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, five fuses, two anti-tank grenades, four ejector motors for RPGs, two sniper rifles, one light machine gun, one night sight and one day sight for mortars, 10,000 light machine gun and AK-47 rounds of ammunition, 12 pounds of propellant, four 120 mm HE mortar rounds, one 122 mm projectile and one 100 mm projectile.

“The people of Balad are continuing to show their commitment to reconciliation and protecting their county,” said 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division Executive Officer Lt. Col. Thomas Hauerwas. “These significant cache finds, coupled with the recent reconciliation of over 500 men, are leading the way to peace and economic prosperity in this area of Salah ad Din Province.”

The items found in these caches could have been used in future small-arms fire, indirect fire or improvised explosive device attacks, he added. Source LINK

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Bombing network disabled (Baghdad)

Friday, 13 June 2008

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ PRESS DESK BAGHDAD, Iraq Press Release A080613b-212

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained 18 suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists throughout Iraq Thursday and Friday, further degrading terrorist networks that organize and execute terrorist attacks.

Coalition forces continued to target the al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist networks across northern Iraq and in the Tigris River Valley Friday. A wanted man and an associate were captured near Bi’aj, about 130 kilometers southwest of Mosul. Coalition forces also detained one suspected AQI terrorist near Lake Thar Thar and three alleged foreign terrorist facilitators in Bayji, about 100 kilometers south of Mosul.

During operations on Thursday, Coalition forces detained three individuals, including a wanted man suspected of having ties to an AQI bombing network that operates in the Tigris River Valley.

Al-Qaeda’s network in the Northern Belt around Baghdad was further degradedFriday when Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists in separate operations just north of Baghdad. Coalition forces also targeted associates of AQI leaders in the Southern Belt around the city and detained three suspected terrorists Thursday west of Baghdad.

In Mosul, Coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists during operations Thursday and Friday while targeting associates of AQI leaders in the northern city.

“Coalition forces will continue to seek out terrorists throughout Iraq and remove them as a threat toinnocent citizens,” said Navy Lt. David Russell, MNF-I spokesman. Source LINK

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Iraqi National Police adopts Code of Ethics

Friday, 13 June 2008

Multi-National Corps – Iraq Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RELEASE No. 20080614-02

BAGHDAD – In the ancient land of Mesopotamia, the earliest code of ethics became known as the Code of Hammurabi. Some 4,000 years later, in the same “Mesopotamia” region, Staff Maj. Gen. Hussein Jasim Mohammed Al Awadi, commander of the Iraqi National Police, in his continuing efforts to transform the National Police into the most professional paramilitary police force in the Middle East, introduced another code of ethics at a press conference June 8.

The newly adopted code is patterned after the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. “Every police force in the world has its standards,” Hussein said. “Our federal forces now have a standard, approved by the Ministry of Interior that every National Policeman must adhere to.” The basis of the code states that each police officer is to committed to protecting the people of Iraq, safeguarding lives and property, respecting the laws and public service. It further outlines the individual officer’s responsibility to be an example, obey and enforce all laws, maintain confidentiality, never act officiously or accept gratuities and recognize the position of a police officer as a “symbol of public trust”.

Hussein stressed the importance of the code of ethics which is to further the professional framework for acceptable standards of behavior within the National Police, establish benchmarks for each officer and leader, promote high standards of practice and reinforce a culture for respecting human rights.

He also discussed the NP’s recent operations launched in Baghdad, Basra and Mosul.

“In those cities, the NP found weapons, arrested criminals and secured the areas where we operated. The ISF and Coalition forces combined to establish security in the Basra operation and then moved to Mosul,” the general said. “Two Headquarters Battalions participated in multiple operations; however, we were not the only force that participated. The National Police was part of a bigger force comprised of forces under the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense.

“We have had 14 successful combat operations in the last six months that were critical to the security of Iraq, from Diwaniyah and the first Basra contingency last fall to the significant operations in Baghdad, ” said Brig. Gen. Jim Yarbrough, Iraq Assistance Group commanding general, who was also on hand to discuss the NP progress. “This is the first time the Government of Iraq has deployed forces in control of these strategic cities, Mosul, Baghdad and Sadr City. ” Yarbrough also highlighted the National Police’s presence in Samarra and Karbala as other examples of NP’s increasing effectiveness.

“They had the courage and resolve to face insurgents and criminals threatening Iraq,” Yarbrough said. “The National Police have a bright future and important mission, securing the interior of Iraq.”

The day after the press conference, the Prime Minister promoted Hussein to the rank of lieutenant general. According to Yarbrough, this is a reflection of his solid leadership during recent operations, and the confidence the Prime Minister places in him. Source LINK