Knee Deep in the Hooah!

Can you believe that we are already into October? I remember back in February and March of this year vividly. ToySoldier was still in Baqubah and there was a lot of buzz hitting the airwaves. We all knew that once Spring arrived there would be an upswing in the fighting and violence in Iraq.

Did it happen? Sure. There was a mild upswing, but nothing at all like the years before. That was, to me anyway, a huge indicator of the massive defeat that AQI had taken. Spring and summer are their fighting seasons. When the show they had to offer was really not much of a show at all, it was an indicator of what they were capable of — and that was massively diminished from the years before. I wonder if Harry Reid is ready yet to recind his infamous “This war is lost” proclamation? I guess he’ll rescind when Murtha apologizes to the Marines…. and hell freezes over. Enough of my babbling this morning. Good morning and enjoy your good news for the week!

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Helping Iraqis Help Iraqis
Posted on 10.02.2008 at 07:06AM
By Pfc. Alisha Nye
14th Public Affairs Detachment

Excerpt
DIYALA, Iraq – The Provincial Reconstruction Team for the Diyala province conducted an assessment of the health care capabilities at Baqubah General Hospital July 28, 2008.

The assessment was one of many to take place in order to facilitate the improvements being made to medical facilities throughout the Diyala province. So, in the future, Iraqis can rely more on their people for medical treatment than U.S. intervention.

“We look at everything from manpower, facilities, supply systems, training, emergency response – the health care system as whole and how it works,” said Jerry Gardner, the senior public health advisor for the PRT in Diyala province. “We actually help rebuild health systems.”

In order to start rebuilding the health care system at Baqubah General Hospital, the PRT has been helping to get existing contracts to rebuild in the hospital, that were put in place six to eight months ago and have been stalled, moving by managing the contracts and working with the contactors.

“There hadn’t been a whole lot of face-to-face contact and hope was kind of lost on getting it done,” Gardner said. “We’re able to use the government center here and some of our influence with the government to help contactors do their jobs.”

“We have an arrangement with Dr. Jerry regarding the extension of the emergency hospital,” said Dr. Abdullah Salam, the manager of Baqubah General Hospital. “This is a new hospital only for emergency cases and includes 70 beds. This will be achieved within the next nine months, as planned.”

Just seeing the work being done has helped the Iraqi people emotionally, said Gardner. Read More
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Iraqi Police Work to Change Image, Focus in Wasit
Friday, 03 October 2008

Exerpt
FOB DELTA — Iraqi Police (IP) in Wasit province are transforming their force from a paramilitary police force to a more traditional one, changing a structure left over from Saddam Hussein’s regime.

The restructuring, a directive from the national ministry of the interior, aims to place IPs in positions to exploit their greatest strengths.

“We assign IPs with military backgrounds to the special response teams and the checkpoints,” said Brig. Gen. Alawy Hussein Alsaray. “Those who have been trained solely as police officers are assigned to the community police stations. That way, those with a military background work in the areas that are most military-like. The others are assigned to investigations and other traditional police roles.”

This method is effective because many of the IP officers are former Iraqi Army, said Sgt. Peter Klementowski, 511th Military Police Co., a trainer for the IP.

“Placing the military minds in the SRTs is effective because they play a more military role, are heavily armed and trained in urban warfare tactics,” Klementowski said.

“The traditional role, the neighborhood stations, is to be visible every day and to interact with the population,” he added. “These should be roles for new officers, those brought up in the police system.”

“The biggest thing we are working on is changing the image of the IPs,” said Capt. Jess Traver, commander, 511th Military Police Co. “We want to focus on community policing, interacting with the community … developing a visible IP value system emphasizing duty, commitment, honesty. Read More
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Tip Leads IA to Cache Near Janabi Village
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

Excerpt
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – A citizen’s tip led Iraqi army soldiers to a tip near Janabi Village on Sept. 30, 2008.

Soldiers from 4th Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Brigade, 17th IA Division found the cache about 30 kilometers southwest of Baghdad.

The cache contained 46 cases of .51-caliber loose rounds, seven cases of 14.7-mm loose rounds, five 122-mm mortar rounds, four 82-mm mortar rounds, four 60-mm mortar rounds, two 82-mm mortar rounds, one 60-mm mortar tube, two 82-mm mortar tripods, 51 plastic explosives and an unspecified amount of loose AK-47 ammunition. Read More
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3RD ESC Soldiers, Iraqi Government Join Forces to Provide Clean Drinking Water for Abdul Razaq
Posted on 10.03.2008 at 11:25AM
By Spc. Anthony Hooker
215th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Excerpt
ABDUL RAZAQ, Iraq – Soldiers from the 7th Sustainment Brigade gathered with local Iraqi leaders in Abdul Razaq to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the village’s water purification unit, Sept. 30, 2008.

Col. Mark Barbosa, 7th Sus. Bde. commander, met with Iraqi government, military and tribal leaders to celebrate the combined effort between Iraqi and coalition forces to improve clean water production.

Within the past two months, the brigade, deployed from Ft. Eustis, Va., has worked with Dhi Qar officials to refurbish two reverse osmosis water purification units within the province.

Barbosa and the local dignitaries were given a short demonstration of the facility along with its basic features. The unit, which has an overhead delivery system to rapidly fill water trucks, is capable of producing 700 gallons of clean water per hour.

Resan Meqdad, the mayor of nearby Ur who initiated the project with 7th Sus. Bde. leaders, said the assistance was sorely needed. He recalled how, previously, many children drank directly from canals resulting in a number of health problems.

“The water system here was so bad,” said Meqdad through a translator. “People could not get fresh water for drinking . . . it could not be used for consumption.” Read More
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School Is in Session in Iron Caisson Computer Lab
Posted on 10.03.2008 at 09:08AM
By Spc. Allison Churchill
41st Fires Brigade

Excerpt
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Ten computers are giving 132 Soldiers the opportunity to pursue college degrees while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The leadership of 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade established a computer lab in their headquarters to give Soldiers a place to work on online courses.

“Soldiers need to get civilian education behind them for whatever they do in life,” said Lexington, Ky., native Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Taylor, 589th BSB’s senior enlisted leader.

Whether a Soldier leaves the military after his initial contract or stays in to eventually retire, civilian education will help him compete in the job market, Taylor said.

“We – as the command team – needed to give them the tools to do that,” said Capt. Earlglenn Bowser, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 589th BSB.

The tents the battalion’s Soldiers moved into upon arrival on FOB Delta didn’t lend themselves to Soldiers getting personal Internet accounts, so the leadership went to work providing other options.

The 589th BSB communications section worked with the brigade’s communications office to request computers and commercial Internet. Soldiers from El Salvador’s Cuscatlán battalion Rotation X built computer desks, said Bowser, of Perryopolis, Pa.

Five computers were up and running in July. In August, five more arrived. Soldiers appreciate having the computer lab so close to work as many are nearing finals in their first classes.

Sgt. Jason Huey, currently working on an associate’s degree in Internet security information from Central Texas College, said he was able to finish a class a few weeks early thanks to having the computer lab next to his office. Read More
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Coalition Forces Apprehend Alleged Weapons Smuggler
Courtesy Story
Posted on 10.03.2008 at 07:46AM
By the Multi-National Force – Iraq Public Affairs Office

Excerpt
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces struck a blow to the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq criminal network by apprehending two suspected criminals Thursday during an operation in Amarah, Maysan province.

Acting on intelligence information, coalition forces targeted a suspected senior weapons smuggler responsible for militant operations against Iraqi security and coalition forces.

Forces moved in on the wanted man’s location in Amarah where they detained the suspect and an associate, who also is believed to be involved in the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq criminal network. Read More
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MND-B Soldiers Detain Suspected Criminals
Courtesy Story
Posted on 10.02.2008 at 12:16PM
By the Multi-National Division – Baghdad Public Affairs Office

Excerpt
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained two criminals including one suspected special groups criminal, Oct. 1-2, 2008, in the Rashid District of Baghdad.

At approximately 2 p.m., Oct. 1, 2008, Soldiers of Troop B, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B, arrested a criminal suspected of conducting intimidation attacks against local Iraqi citizens in the Hadar community of southeastern Baghdad. The patrol returned to a coalition force combat outpost with the suspect to conduct additional questioning.

At approximately 3 a.m., Oct. 2, 2008, Soldiers from Company D, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, attached to the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B, arrested a suspected SG criminal for the shooting of a coalition force Soldier last year and sectarian killings in the Bayaa neighborhood. Read More
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Coalition Forces Detain Six Suspected Terrorists in Mosul, Baghdad
Courtesy Story
Posted on 10.02.2008 at 11:25AM
By the Multi-National Force – Iraq Public Affairs Office

Excerpt
BAGHDAD – Al-Qaida in Iraq networks in Mosul and Baghdad were dealt another blow Thursday, as coalition forces captured two wanted men and detained four additional suspects believed to be associated with the terrorist organization.

Coalition forces acting on tips from individuals already in custody captured a wanted man and detained two additional suspects during an operation in Mosul. The wanted man is believed to be developing technology designed to impede coalition forces’ ability to detect car bombs and other improvised explosive devices. Intelligence reports also suggest that the man is using his business as a cover for AQI money laundering activities. Read More
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Morning Prayers Heard Again in Samarra Shrine Amidst Peace – Safest Ramadan Since 2003 Locals Said
Story by Maj. Johnpaul Arnold
Posted on 10.02.2008 at 08:43AM
By Maj. Johnpaul Arnold
1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Divison

Excerpt
SAMARRA, Iraq – After two years of silence enforced by sectarian violence, prayers of Shia worshippers were echoed today in Samarra’s Maqam Ghaybat Shrine, which is co-located with the ancient Al Askari Shrine.

Shia faithful gathered in the morning, Sept. 30, 2008, to pray to commemorate the end of Ramadan.

“Hundreds of people were at the Mosque for the Eid celebration,” said Maj. Gen. Rasheed Flahe Mohammed, Samarra Operation Center Commander, who’s a Shia himself. “Today we are celebrating in the mosque. We are very happy.”

The Samarra Operation Command’s comprehensive security strategy has bolstered the confidence and courage of the citizens of Samarra. Elements from the national police, Iraqi army and local Sunni Sons of Iraq have provided security contributions.

“After five years, Samarra achieved a lot of services. Thanks go to the Iraqi police, Iraqi army, Sons of Iraq and support of coalition forces,” said Mahmood Khalaf Ahmed, Samarra Mayor.

2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division Commander, Lt. Col. J.P. McGee said, “A year ago the city was in the grips of terrorists, and we as a team set out to destroy the foundation of fear that paralyzed any progress in the city. Because of the active support of the population and the close cooperation of ISF, what we have been able to do as American forces is to shift our focus from fighting the insurgents to helping rebuild the city.” Read More
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IA Assumes Control of Patrol Base Shanghai
Posted on 10.02.2008 at 07:57AM
By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

Excerpt
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – The Rakkasans handed over Patrol Base Shanghai to the Iraqi army during a ceremony, Sept. 30, 2008.

Company B, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) traded places with 3rd Co., 1st Bn., 23rd Bde., 17th IA Division.

“Today is an honor for us [to receive] Shanghai,” said 2nd Lt. Muhammad, commander of 3/1/23/17th IA Div.

In spite of the pomp and circumstance and VIPs, the commander of Co. B, 3-187th Inf. said the day was just an official recognition of what the IA troops have been doing all along.

“Today the Iraqi army is not doing anything out of the ordinary. They are not assuming any more area; they are just moving from one home to another,” Capt. Joshua Gaspard said. “The Iraqi army is doing what it has been doing for the past 13 months in the … area. They provide security; they support the people – they care. The Iraqi Army has been and is ready. Nothing has changed.” Read More
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New Equipment Boosts Iraqi Company’s Transformer Production
Thursday, 02 October 2008

Excerpt
CAMP VICTORY — Diyala Electrical Industries recently received two machines to help the Iraqi owned company get closer to meeting its production demand. The machines are a benefit of a partnership between Diyala Electrical Industries and the United States government and are needed at the company for production of industrial sized electrical transformers for power lines.

DEI is the only company that produces transformers in Iraq. These are used to help transport electricity through power lines throughout the country. The machines the company received are wire cutting and gas cutting machines that will increase the amount of transformers manufactured. The company needs these machines to increase their capabilities to meet demand.

“Diyala Electrical Industries is critical to Diyala and to the country as a whole,” said David Matthews, senior economic advisor with the Provincial Reconstruction Team for the Diyala province, “I think the improvement over the past year has been dramatic.”

Meeting the demand is the goal of the company. The company employs over 2500 Iraqis and as the demand goes up so will the employment. This will help the economy and the people that work at the company as well as Iraq. Read More
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Continued Progress: Security Allows Opening of West Baqubah Road
Sunday, 28 September 2008

Excerpt
BAQUBAH — A ribbon cutting ceremony recently took place in a western Baqubah neighborhood to reopen a road that had been closed to the locals in the area for more than a year.

“This was in the workings since early May,” said Capt. Kevin P. Ryan, the officer behind coordinating the opening. “My idea is to transition this area of operations (AO) back to the Iraqi people and to open the roads up, to give something back to the people.”

To do that, though, he had to work with Iraqi security forces (ISF) to set up some conditions, which were to set up a series of checkpoints, Ryan said. There were three set up.

“The three of them lead into the west side of the AO,” Ryan said. “From here, Iraqi security forces with their Sons of Iraq brothers can search the vehicles and allow the vehicles to come in. Traffic has not been allowed inside the western part of this AO in over a year, so today was a big day giving something back to the people.”

Traffic had not been allowed in for so long due to security reasons, Ryan said.

“This was the foothold of al-Qaida in Iraq,” Ryan said. “So, they banned all traffic due to clearing operations and never allowed traffic to come back in because the situation didn’t allow it.” Read More
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Report: Iraq improving, but conflict remains
by Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

Excerpt
WASHINGTON (Sept. 30, 2008) – Trends across the security, political and economic landscape of Iraq continue to improve, but the fundamental character of the conflict remains unchanged, according to a Defense Department report submitted to Congress Monday.

The improved security in Iraq has opened the doors for dialogue between the leading parties in the country’s government and communities and has made room for other institutional developments. But results are still tenuous and long-term stability will only be realized if the Iraqi government continues to build its legitimacy and take on existing challenges, the report says.

The quarterly report is required by the 2008 DoD Appropriations Act and measures the stability and security in Iraq.

The report states that security in the country has continued to improve, even as coalition forces have drawn down, with security incidents at levels last seen in 2004. Civilian deaths across Iraq have declined by 77 percent compared to the same reporting period last year. Major contributions include the surge of coalition forces, the growth of the Iraqi security forces and the efforts of the “Sons of Iraq” citizen security groups, according to the report.

High-profile suicide attacks have taken fewer lives, and they have not been as successful at inciting subsequent violent acts, the report says. Read More
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