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A Run to Remember
Story by Lance Cpl. Casey Jones
Posted on 09.20.2008 at 01:20AM
By Lance Cpl. Casey Jones
Regimental Combat Team 1
Excerpt

RAMADI, Iraq - The Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, came together to honor and remember service members killed during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, Aug. 24, 2008.

They did so in a special, but simple and familiar way—they ran.

“Recently, we came together as a unit to run for our fallen comrades in an event called ‘Run for the Fallen,’” said Gunnery Sgt. Frederick White, the Headquarters and Service company gunnery sergeant for the battalion, who helped coordinate the run. “We lost two of our Marines over here, and we just wanted to take time to pay tribute to them.”

The “Run for the Fallen” event kicked off June 14, 2008, in Fort Irwin, Calif., when a group of runners pledged to run one-mile for every service member killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The runners reached Arlington National Cemetery Aug. 24, and throughout their journey across the nation they encouraged others to participate and run at least one-mile for a fallen service member.

Over 325 members of the battalion participated in the three-mile run, with each mile dedicated to a fallen service member.

The first mile was in memory of Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter, a 1/9 Marine killed in action on April 22. The second mile was in remembrance of Staff Sgt. Danny Dupre, a 1/9 Marine killed in action July 14. The third, and last mile, was to honor all service members killed.

Members of the battalion became aware of the event from Haerter’s mother, JoAnn Lyles, who said she heard about the run via an email from a complete stranger.

The e-mail was received from Rachel Early Dee, who wrote to Lyles, “His death touched me deeply. I’ve since learned that we share the same birthday and it will be my honor to dedicate this run to him and to all those who have given their lives serving our beautiful country.”

Lyles immediately sent the information to everyone she knew.

“After I read her email, I forwarded the event’s website link to family members, friends and Marines,” Lyles said. “I thought what a perfect way to honor Jordan and other fallen heroes!”

Capt. Gerard Dempster, the battalion’s Headquarters and Service Company commander, brought the service members together after the run to reflect upon the lives of those lost.

“This run was a symbolic memorial for all those fallen,” Dempster told the Marines and sailors. “I think what all of you have done here is phenomenal and I know the Dupre and Haerter families would be proud. President Reagan said it best when he said, ‘Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they’ve made a difference, the Marines do not have that problem.” Read More
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Iraqi-led Security Is Nothing New
Posted on 09.18.2008 at 02:24PM
By Lance Cpl. Scott Schmidt
Regimental Combat Team 1
Excerpt

JAZEERAH, Iraq – Although official provincial Iraqi control has only recently been applied in the al Anbar province, Iraqi police in Jazeerah have conducted themselves as the area’s leading security force for some time.

Jazeerah police and Marines with 1st Platoon, Company C, Task Force 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, have been conducting combined security patrols in the area since the battalion’s arrival in July 2008. This partnership was in place with other battalions in the area before 1st Bn., 2nd Marines’ arrival.

Once a hot spot for terrorist weapons caches, Jazeerah is becoming a model community for the province.

From July 2006 to July 2007 there were 238 total incidents in Jazeerah, to include cache discoveries, improvised explosive devices and small arms fire.

One year later, due largely to the active nature of the Jazeerah security forces, those numbers have dropped significantly to only five cache discoveries and very few acts of violence.

As Iraqi police and Marines patrol through the many small neighborhoods in the city, it is now the Iraqi police dictating the pace of the operation, said Cpl. James Mohr, a 26-year-old squad leader with the platoon.

“The police know the area,” explained Mohr, a Howell, N.J., native. “They are the ones making the routes and leading the patrols.”

The city’s community has also been involved in the progress of peace. Read More
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Iraqis Training Iraqis Key to Their Independence
Posted on 09.20.2008 at 06:06AM
By Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret
Multi-National Division-Center Public Affairs Office
Excerpt

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – If numbers could talk, they would say amazing things about the an-Numaniyah Military Training Base.

The base can hold up to 11,000 Iraqis security force members. Of those, 8,000 are trainees going through various military courses; the rest are instructors. Classes of 2,000 Iraqi police officers receive training at the national police academy alone.

Even more remarkable, the total number of coalition forces present on the base is fewer than 30, making it one member of the U.S. forces for every 360 ISF members on base.

Most significantly, though, is the number of coalition members directly involved with training ISF.

Zero.

“This base is a kind of success story because the Iraqis are running everything. The base really is self-sustaining,” said Cmdr. Kurt Mondlak, the Logistics Maintenance Advisory Team commander who oversees the base’s logistical issues.

The base is host to a motor transportation regiment, an Iraqi training battalion, an Iraqi army military police academy, a national police training center, a war-fighter training team and various job-specific training sites. Read More
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Operation Northern Exposure Sends Message to Extremists
Posted on 09.20.2008 at 05:36AM
By Pfc. Michael Schuch
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Public Affairs Office
Excerpt

COMBAT OUTPOST CASHE SOUTH, Iraq – Coalition Soldiers conducted an extensive search through a major canal in Umm al Abid as part of Operation Northern Exposure Sept. 5, 2008.

Soldiers from Companies A and B, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment initiated the search because the area was used numerous times before for emplacing improvised explosive devices aimed at Iraqi security and coalition forces.

Operation Northern Exposure is in response to extremist activity in the Diyala province and is meant to disrupt support and freedom of maneuver for al Qaida in Iraq and other extremists groups attempting to operate in the area.

After a short link-up with members of the Iraqi national police at Patrol Base Jaguar, the combined element moved 600 meters north to the site of the canal, which spanned four- and-a-half kilometers.

The men split into several groups to quickly scour the canal and surrounding area looking for any disturbances to the land, possible hidden weapons caches or IEDs.

Two Soldiers and two Iraqi national police Shurtas entered the heavily overgrown canal with a metal detector as several other Soldiers provided overhead security. Read More
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A Country’s Dreams Manifested Through Its Children
Posted on 09.18.2008 at 04:11PM
By Lance Cpl. Scott Schmidt
Regimental Combat Team - 1
Excerpt

KHALIDYAH, Iraq – Marines with Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, met with school officials in Khalidyah to discuss any essential services the school may need on Aug. 21, 2008.

During their meeting, the Marines donated backpacks and school supplies, which teachers handed out to students.

“Our children are our future,” explained Hamda Fauil Metap, the Khalidyah school’s headmaster. “They see everyday, how Iraq is growing and they will be the ones to make the advancements to the community as they grow older.”

Khalidyah’s community joined together during the last few weeks to clean the school’s grounds and make repairs in preparation for the start of the new school year.

Students also took part in their schools’ cleanup, sweeping rooms and organizing desks.

“It is important that the children have a clean and adequate place to learn,” explained Metap.

Metap has been teaching for 25 years and in that time she said she has never seen a brighter future for the children than in recent months.

“Everything [the Marines] and the Iraqi community have done for us, we are extremely grateful,” she said. Read More
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Suspected IED cell leader detained
Friday, 19 September 2008
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080920-02
Sept. 20, 2008

BAGHDAD – A suspected improvised explosive device cell leader and his brother were taken into custody Sept. 18.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, detained the suspect at approximately 11 p.m. north of Taji.

The individual is an alleged IED cell leader in the al Abayachi area and suspected of orchestrating an Aug. 10 suicide-belt improvised-explosive device attack in Tarmiyah, as well as multiple small-arms attacks. The suspect is also alleged to have secured weapons for use against Iraqi Security and Coalition forces.

“These two are suspected to be an integral part of an elaborate improvised-explosive device group. Having them off the streets provides an immediate security win,” said Maj. Jim Craig, operations officer for 2nd SBCT, 25th Inf. Div. “Sons of Iraq turned these two over to Coalition forces in an effort to remove known criminals from their area. With actions like this, the Sons of Iraq continue to prove their value to their neighborhoods and to the country. ” -30- Source Link
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Iraqi-led Security is Nothing New
Friday, 19 September 2008
By Lance Cpl. Scott Schmidt
Regimental Combat Team 1
Excerpt

JAZEERAH — Although official provincial Iraqi control has only recently been applied in the al Anbar province, Iraqi Police in Jazeerah have conducted themselves as the area’s leading security force for some time.

Jazeerah Police and Marines with 1st Platoon, Company C, Task Force 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, have been conducting combined security patrols in the area since the battalion’s arrival in July 2008. This partnership was in place with other battalions in the area before 1st Bn., 2nd Marines’ arrival.

Once a hot spot for terrorist weapons caches, Jazeerah is becoming a model community for the province.

From July 2006 to July 2007 there were 238 total incidents in Jazeerah, to include cache discoveries, improvised explosive devices and small arms fire.

One year later, due largely to the active nature of the Jazeerah security forces, those numbers have dropped significantly to only five cache discoveries and very few acts of violence. Read More
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Women to Hold Positions in Iraqi Intelligence
Friday, 19 September 2008
Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq Public Affairs
Excerpt

BAGHDAD — A group of American intelligence specialists held a panel discussion here, Sept. 18, for the first class of Iraqi women to attend the Basic Military Intelligence Course.

“We are in awe of your willingness to take your place in the Iraqi security forces,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Mary Legere, Multi-National Force - Iraq director for intelligence. “You will, along with the men and women of the Iraqi security forces, work with us to take the fight to the enemy.”

Legere and five other women on the panel discussed the challenges they faced during the last two decades in the field of military intelligence. Several of them were the first women to arrive at their respective commands in the 1980s.

During a question and answer session, they offered the new recruits some technical insights gained from their years of experience with intelligence practices and processes. Read More
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Iraqi Army Soldiers Lead Humanitarian Drop, Aid People of Shulla
Monday, 15 September 2008
By 1st Lt. Christopher T. Taylor
101st Airborne Division
Excerpt

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Army (IA) Soldiers partnered with Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers conducted a humanitarian assistance (HA) drop in the northwestern Baghdad neighborhood of Shulla, Sept. 10.

Iraqi security forces (ISF) and Coalition forces (CF) have conducted numerous HA drops throughout Shulla, but this one was unique because it was planned and executed by the IA with minimal CF oversight.

“It is crazy to think that just a few months ago this place was completely off limits to Coalition and Iraqi forces,” said Staff Sgt. Perry Transue, while watching his platoon pull security for the event. “If you had asked me a few months ago if I’d be standing in the streets of Shulla watching the IA conducting operations this soon after the hostilities, I would have said, no.”

The IA has improved exponentially since the Strike troops took over the area in November 2007, said Transue.

“It is great to be given the opportunity to supply all these people with food, but this is just a small sample of the things we [the Iraqi Army] want to accomplish here in Shulla,” said Iraqi Army Maj. Muhammad. “We still need to clean the streets of trash, repair the streets, and provide better medical services to the residents of Shulla.” Read More
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Iraqi Security Forces Assist Family Returning From Syria
Thursday, 18 September 2008
By Capt. Mark Miller
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
Excerpt

FOB FALCON — As Iraqi security forces and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers dismounted their vehicles for a security patrol in the Rashid District, a family waited alongside a road in the Risalah neighborhood.

A displaced family, returning from Syria with all of their worldly belongings, sat anxiously on the road in southern Baghdad looking for someone to help them get back to the home they left two years earlier.

On the morning of, Sept. 15, National Policemen (NP) from the 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division, saw the family in need and readily assisted.

Upon seeing the dismounted patrol of NPs and MND-B Soldiers, Hatim Muhammed Suod, the father of the family, jumped from the curb and greeted Staff Brig. Gen. Bahaa, commander of the 5th Bde., 2nd NP Div.

The Iraqi man quickly explained his situation and requested assistance.

“We left two years ago when our family was receiving death threats,” Suod explained. “It wasn’t safe here.”

When Bahaa asked if the man was returning to his community as a result of the reduced violence, Suod replied, “Yes, the situation is better here now, and I feel it is safe to bring my family back to our home.”

Bahaa responded quickly, ordering his NPs to bring a truck up to the side of the road and assist the family loading up their belongings.

The assistance provided by the Iraqi NP seemed second nature to them as they helped the Iraqi family load their belongings in the back of their patrol truck.

“We always help returning families when they come to us for help,” said Bahaa. “This helps build trust among the people.” Read More
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Q-West leaders promote Iraqi economic opportunity, self-reliance
Monday, 15 September 2008
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080915-08
Sept. 15, 2008

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq – Coalition forces are working to help Iraqi entrepreneurs learn the skills needed to earn the money to remain successful after Coalition forces leave.

The Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone initiative is currently helping 14 Iraqi owned businesses, six industrial and eight retail, operating on Q-West.

The businesses were awarded land-use agreements to operate on the contingency operating base, and sell goods and services to Soldiers, contractors, local nationals and foreign nationals. Some are also awarded a contract.

As of Sept. 1, the COB had paid out $7.9 million in contracts for the fiscal year, with a monthly impact of $274,433 going back into Ninawa province, according to the badging office at Q-West, which tracks IBIZ contracts and impact.

“As the local population becomes more invested in the growth and prosperity of their local economy, they are less likely to join the local insurgency,” said Sgt. 1st Class Sean Shanahan, events and communication non-commissioned officer in charge, and IBIZ assistant coordinator, Mayor’s Cell.

Shanahan added that many of the more than 150 Iraqis that work on Q-West are also learning job skills, like heating, ventilation and air conditioning repair, vehicle and generator maintenance and welding, which will allow them to be successful after Coalition forces leave.

“The key is for these individuals to establish themselves and survive on the skills they learn,” Shanahan said.

Officials here are currently in the process of awarding a land-use agreement for an Iraqi-owned gas station to be built on Q-West, said Capt. Todd Howell, events and communication officer in charge, and IBIZ coordinator, Mayor’s Cell.

“Local nationals and foreign nationals will pay for the fuel they use,” Howell said. “And they will build it according to American standards. We don’t have to do that, but when we turn over this COB to Iraq, we will be responsible for the environmental state of this site, so it’s not in our best interest to let anyone skim on standards.”

The base is also negotiating a cell phone tower and concrete batch plant, Howell said. Source Link
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Iraqi Army Surging Ethics Training
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq Public Affairs Office

Excerpt

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Army wants every Iraqi Soldier to receive ethics training just like he receives marksmanship or drill and ceremony training.

Since 2003, the primary focus for the Iraqi Army has been building the force. Getting Soldiers trained to fight took precedence over many other military functions. Iraqis came from all locations and all walks of life to join the fight to secure their country from terrorists.

Every one of those Soldiers brought a unique set of values with him: personal values, family values, community values and religious values. Creating a culture of ethical behavior means that each Soldier must now learn and accept Iraqi Army values.

Those core values are the same as the United States Army’s: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and courage.

Unifying ethical standards in a force of more than 150,000 Soldiers cannot be done haphazardly or in a reactionary fashion. The Center for Military Values, Principles and Leadership Development is tasked with creating ethics training doctrine for the Army and providing ethics training for the Soldiers.

Army values and principles is just one of the five blocks of training CMVPLD covers. In addition, Soldiers learn; role of the military in a democracy, law of armed conflict, military professionalism and leadership. Read More
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Civil Service Corps Takes Root in Iraq’s Kirkuk Province
Thursday, 18 September 2008
American Forces Press Service
Excerpt

KIRKUK — Former members of the “Sons of Iraq” citizen security groups in Iraq’s Kirkuk province took the next step in improving their communities this week as they became apprentices in the Civil Service Corps (CSC). On Sept. 14, Hawijah celebrated the start of a new CSC and the next day, two started in Dibis.

“The CSCs are intended to provide the necessary training, education and skill that will allow the graduates to seek and attain good-paying jobs and to begin the hard task of rebuilding Iraq village by village, city by city,” said Army Lt. Col. Kevin Hudie, commander of the 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Battalion, 6th Artillery Regiment, at the Dibis commencement ceremony.

The CSC program is patterned after a U.S. depression-era job program known as the Civilian Conservation Corps, designed to put young men back to work, officials said. All of the CSC apprentices are former Sons of Iraq members who have contributed to the significant security gains in the Kirkuk province. Read More
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