Thread: Operation Iraqi Freedom/Multi-National Force

Model neighborhood, active government keeps Qadisiyah thriving

Thursday, 12 July 2007


By Spc. Alexis Harrison
1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs


Glenwood, Md., native, 1st Lt. Joe McDonald, a platoon leader with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, hands out a few pencils to kids living in the Qadisiyah neighborhood July 2. Photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison.

BAGHDAD — Just to the west of the heavily-fortified International Zone lays a neighborhood that has made great strides in achieving and maintaining peace and prosperity.

A little more than two years ago, the troops from the “Red Dragons” of the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment patrolled this neighborhood in hopes that it would become a beacon of stability for the area. Now, after the artillerymen from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, have come back after that rotation, they have noticed that not much has changed. And that's a good thing according to several of the troops.

The troops maintain a consistent presence in the neighborhood nonetheless. Recently, instead of just patrolling and maintaining security, they made a stop in the neighborhood to spread a little cheer among the kids living there by handing out soccer jerseys, toys and school supplies July 2.

1st Lt. Joe McDonald said that many of the kids are well-known to his platoon. The Glenwood, Md., native also said that the kids are always eager to come out and see the troops when they roll in, especially when there's a chance of getting a free toy or football.

One of the deputy Neighborhood Advisory Council chairmen boasted that Qadisiyah is the best neighborhood in Baghdad. He's happy to show you why.

Instead of mounds of trash there are neatly-trimmed bushes along most of the streets and larger roads. Instead of empty shops, bountiful fruit stands and even a portrait studio are open and receiving business.

The owner of the shop said that he was very proud to be able to own his own business and that it was due to the hard work of both coalition forces and the local leaders.

This is all a stark contrast to the neighborhoods around Qadisiyah. The residents of Karkh along the once-infamous Haifa Street only began to go about their normal lives after intense fighting was slaked by coalition and Iraqi security forces earlier this year.

But Qadisiyah has remained quiet. Capt. Don Cherry, commander of Co. A said that the neighborhood does a good job taking care of itself by sticking together and taking pride in what they achieved.

He said that many of the residents have been living in the area most of their lives, and they take an active role in community cohesion with events like the one for the kids and even humanitarian aid food drops for residents in need of assistance.

Some of the residents of the neighborhood are English-speaking Christian Iraqis. Unlike the other residents, they have the unique ability to be able to carry on light-hearted conversations with the troops as they walk around talking to people.

While making their special delivery, Soldiers had their hands full with the small mob of children who had come out for the free stuff.

Several of the children approached the Soldiers asking for soccer balls. One of the Soldiers replied that he didn't have a soccer ball for them, but asked if they were interested in a toothbrush instead.


Multi-National Force - Iraq - Model neighborhood, active government keeps Qadisiyah thriving

Police recruiting drive a major attraction

Thursday, 12 July 2007

MAHMUDIYAH



De****e Iraqi security forces being a primary target for anti-Iraqi terrorists, people continue to volunteer for the Iraqi police. A recruiting drive recently in Mahmudiyah brought almost 2,000 Iraqi citizens vying for jobs.
The three-day drive in Mahmudiyah from July 8-10 attracted 1,804 applicants eager to find a job. The drive was orchestrated largely by the 23rd Military Police Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade, which is based at Fort Bragg, N.C.

The mayor of Mahmudiyah, Mouyed Al-Ameri, visited applicants at the drive, as did Gen. Abid, the police commander in the area.

Applicants were safely processed and tight security and coordination between Iraqi and coalition forces ensured safety for everyone involved. Each person was searched twice before entering the compound, and twice within, to prevent attacks on the group of people.

The applicants were mostly Shia, although Sunnis were well-represented as well. They came from many of the local villages – al-Rasheed, Mahmudiyah, Lutifiyah, and Yusufiyah. The drive was extended for a day to the population of al-Rasheed and other areas of Sunni majority, so that the recruit base would be more evenly represented.

As each person applied, they were entered into a biometrics database with a retinal scan, fingerprint, and photograph.

The Mahmudiyah District, which includes Lutifiyah and Yusufiyah as well as countless outlying villages, will have eight police stations and joint security stations in the next five years; most of them are already built. But staffing them with trained police is the next goal – one which the recruitment drive helped substantially.

“We’ll be able to have more presence patrols and more checkpoints,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Porter, a native of Portsmouth, Va., and a platoon sergeant with the 23rd MPs. “We can cut out the unauthorized checkpoints and provide more established security, just as soon as we get police through the academy and get them the resources they need.”

The operation was aided by the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., and the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, both based in Mahmudiyah.

“With good recruits, we’ll end up with a police force more capable of providing security for the local population,” said Capt. Dustin Walker, a native of Bedford, N.H., and an adviser to 2-15’s partnered Iraqi army unit. “Recruits from this area have a vested interest in protecting their home areas, and the number of people who want to get involved with their government is outstanding.”


Multi-National Force - Iraq - Police recruiting drive a major attraction

Karkh holds first-ever job fair

Thursday, 12 July 2007
By Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim
1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs


The Karkh Chamber of Commerce and the 2nd "Black Jack" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division teamed up to host a Job Fair in central Baghdad July 7. Approximately 4,000 job seekers attended the fair. Twenty-eight prospective employers participated in the event. Organizers said that 200 came away with jobs that day. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim.
BAGHDAD — With three young children and a wife, Mahare Mohammed, a part-time mechanic was one of the almost 4,000 applicants seeking an opportunity for employment at the Karkh Chamber of Commerce’s first-ever job fair held at Zawra Park in the center of the Iraqi capital July 7.

“There’s no work at all,” Mohammed said. “We are afraid to work. We hear about dead bodies being found all the time.”

Even though Mohammed said he and others were afraid to work because of the constant reports of dead bodies found in and around Baghdad, it didn’t stop thousands of hopefuls from standing in the 100-plus degree heat and waiting for their turn to speak to the 28 employment groups waiting inside a former restaurant.

From 9 a.m. to noon, more than 1,000 people showed up for the event. In the afternoon, nearly 3,000 more job seekers filled out applications until the job fair ended at 3 p.m.

According to Capt. Jason M. Lewis, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division’s civil affairs officer, the number of applicants was a clear indication of the desperation of the Karkh residents. With almost half of them jobless, it’s a percentage that also mirrors Iraq’s jobless rate.

With so many unemployed in the area, the “Black Jack” Brigade and the Chamber of Commerce, who they have been working closely with for the past few months, wanted to get together and see what they could do through this job fair.

“People are in need – they are desperate for jobs,” said Lewis, of Santa Barbara, Calif. “This is just the first step; it’s just a flash in the pan. Hopefully, from here we can consolidate a lot of the information we have about people who need jobs and push that down to the local neighborhood councils, and they can become like a de facto employment office.”

Of the 28 prospective employers present, most of them were offering labor-type jobs. However, the table for interpreters seemed to draw the most attention.

Outside the restaurant, thousands of applicants tried to find any way of shielding the unforgiving sun away from them as they filled out their applications. Since the local Iraqi security forces ensured that the event went without incident, the heat was the only thing job seekers had to combat.

By the end of the day, the employers hired approximately 200 people, and although the percentage of jobs was low compared to its number of applicants, Lewis hailed the event a success.

“I’m very happy (with the turn out),” he said. “Of course, there’s a lot of things that could have been done better, but I’m still thankful and happy with what the Chamber of Commerce has done and very proud of them.”

With only 200 new jobs filled, Lewis said it only puts a small “dent” in the unemployment problems in Baghdad’s Karkh District. He said what needs to happen in the long-term is a good system needs to be put in place at local employment offices where people and employers can go to look for, and find, one another.


Multi-National Force - Iraq - Karkh holds first-ever job fair

Ubaidi, Anbakia tribes sign peace agreement in Diyala
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070713-03
July 13, 2007

Ubaidi, Anbakia tribes sign peace agreement in Diyala
Multi-National Division – North PAO

TIKRIT, Iraq – Key tribal leaders from the Ubaidi and Anbakia tribes signed a peace agreement, July 10, during a meeting at the Baqouba Government Center to end tribal conflicts that have been occurring for decades and stand together against al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations.

“The strength of the tribes comes from the sheiks’ courage,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

Sheik Hamed Hazber Hasan Abdal al-Anbak, paramount sheik for the Anbakia tribe, and a key tribal leader from the Ubaidi tribe, have been meeting for the past several months to discuss and work through grievances between their respective tribes.

By signing the peace agreement, the tribes agreed to “swear by God and his holy book Koran that we will unite in fighting terrorism in our areas.”

“The commitment of the tribes to sign this treaty signifies that the people of Diyala continue to feel disdain toward the hatred of al-Qaida and other terrorist groups throughout the province,” said Sutherland. “Just as the people of Buhriz, Tahrir, Mufrik and Khatoon have done, the Ubaidi and Anbakia tribes will show the terrorists that the people control the area because of their strength through unity.”

Key promises of the agreement include ending tribal infighting and kidnappings; providing names of tribal members operating against the people; fighting al-Qaida within Diyala; cooperating and working with the Iraqi Security Forces to assist in discovering improvised explosive devices and locating corrupt individuals within the government and security forces; honoring the law; solving agricultural disputes within tribes and assist in returning displaced families to their homes.

After signing the agreement, both tribal leaders placed their hand on the Koran to signify their commitment to the stipulations of the agreement.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Ubaidi, Anbakia tribes sign peace agreement in Diyala

Firefight in New Baghdad; US, Iraqi forces kill 9 insurgents, detain 13

Thursday, 12 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070713-01
July 13, 2007

Firefight in New Baghdad; US, Iraqi forces kill 9 insurgents, detain 13
2nd IBCT, 2nd Inf. Div. Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, with their Iraqi Security Force counterparts, killed nine insurgents and detained 13 more after coming under fire July 12 in the New Baghdad District of eastern Baghdad.

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, and the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, both operating in eastern Baghdad under the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, along with their Iraqi counterparts from the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Division National Police, were conducting a coordinated raid as part of a planned operation when they were attacked by small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Coalition Forces returned fire and called in attack aviation reinforcement.

Nine insurgents were killed in the ensuing firefight. One insurgent was wounded and two civilians were killed during the firefight.

The two civilians were reported as employees for the Reuters news service.

“There is no question that Coalition Forces were clearly engaged in combat operations against a hostile force,” said Lt. Col Scott Bleichwehl, spokesperson and public affairs officer for MND-B.

The command’s thoughts are with the families of the civilians who were killed during the combat action.

The incident is under investigation.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Firefight in New Baghdad; US, Iraqi forces kill 9 insurgents, detain 13

IA, 2-7 Cavalry find IED factory, detain 18 during raid

Thursday, 12 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070712-10
July 12, 2007

IA, 2-7 Cavalry find IED factory, detain 18 during raid
Multi-National Division – North PAO


MOSUL, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers and their Coalition counterparts found an improvised explosive device factory during a raid in Mosul’s Al Sina’a neighborhood July 11.

Working from local tips, soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, in coordination with Coalition forces from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment moved into the neighborhood and came under small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from insurgent gunmen. The CF and IA returned fire, killing three of the insurgents while the remaining attackers fled to a nearby building.

The Iraqi soldiers entered the building and discovered several unique elements used to create improvised explosive devices. These included an acetylene tank, fertilizer, sugar, and an industrial-grade sifter.

One of the detainees tested positive for TNT and a total of 18 suspects were detained.

The factory and bomb-making components were reduced on site.

“We will continue to put factories used to build bombs that injure and kill Iraqi civilians, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition troops, out of business,” said Maj. Mark Reeves, operations officer, 2-7 Cavalry

No Iraqi or Coalition forces were injured during the operation.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - IA, 2-7 Cavalry find IED factory, detain 18 during raid

Salute to Americas Heroes: Fallen and Wounded Warriors

Thursday, 12 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070712-09
July 12, 2007

Salute to Americas Heroes: Fallen and Wounded Warriors
Task Force 3rd Medical Command Public Affairs
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO


BAGHDAD - Members of Task Force 3rd Medical Command, along with family, participated in a salute to America’s heroes with Sean Hannity, Oliver North and others via video teleconference from Camp Victory, Iraq July 10.

Lt. Col Ava Davis, Maj. John Heil, Capt. David Russo and Staff Sgt. Michael Mooney greeted a crowd gathered to see Sean Hannity, FOX News contributor, as he hosted the Hannity Freedom Concert at the Gwinnett Civic Center in Atlanta, Ga. More than 13,000 spectators attended the concert.

"It was a patriotic night," said Heil after the concert, "No matter what Americans think of the war they should always support the troops - we can't do it without their support."

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Salute to Americas Heroes: Fallen and Wounded Warriors

Insurgent leader captured during Operation Grenada

Thursday, 12 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070712-07
July 12, 2007

Insurgent leader captured during Operation Grenada
4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division
Multi-National Division – Center PAO


KALSU, Iraq — The ringleader of a cell responsible for conducting rocket and improvised explosive device attacks on the people and security forces of North Babil was captured by Task Force Steel near Tunis, July 7.

Paratroopers of 3rd Battalion, 509th Airborne, and Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division conducted an assault named Operation Grenada while simultaneously surrounding the target’s house with tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles.

Task Force Steel also captured two other cell members along with a rangefinder used to aim and target rocket attacks, IED materials, two AK-47 assault rifles with 600 rounds of ammunition, and militia propaganda.

In addition to the cell leader, cell members, weapons and materials, the Task Force also captured a truck that tested positive for exposure to explosive materials.

The suspects were detained for further questioning.

The weapons, propaganda and other materials were confiscated for use in the investigation.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Insurgent leader captured during Operation Grenada

Paratroopers capture cell leader

Thursday, 12 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070712-02
July 12, 2007

Paratroopers capture cell leader
Multi-National Division – Center PAO


KALSU, Iraq — Task Force Geronimo Paratroopers captured a cell leader responsible for conducting rocket and improvised explosive device attacks in Iskandariyah, July 9, near Mussayyib.

Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, conducted a raid on the man’s house and arrested him without incident. The man was responsible for conducting attacks against the residents and security forces of Iskandariyah.

The cell leader is being held for further questioning.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Paratroopers capture cell leader

19 suspected al-Qaeda detained in Coalition raids

Thursday, 12 July 2007
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Multi-National Force - Iraq
703.343.8790

July 12, 2007
Release A070712a

19 suspected al-Qaeda detained in Coalition raids

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 19 suspected terrorists during raids targeting al-Qaeda operations cells in central and northern Iraq Wednesday and Thursday.

Thursday in Mosul, Coalition Forces captured an individual believed to be the most active terrorist cell leader in Mosul. The suspected terrorist is allegedly involved in attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces, and facilitating the movement of foreign terrorists for participation in terrorist activities. During the raid, the ground forces also detained five suspected associates of the targeted individual.

Another raid in Mosul Thursday netted one suspected terrorist allegedly tied to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in the area.

Coalition Forces east of Balad captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq financier for the northern part of the country who has ties to senior leaders within the al-Qaeda organization. During the Thursday raid, Coalition Forces detained a total of 11 suspected terrorists.

Coalition Forces conducted a precision raid in Baghdad Wednesday and captured an al-Qaeda in Iraq operative who allegedly is an electrical engineer and bomb-making expert. Intelligence reports indicate he is connected to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and had been considered for a terrorist leadership position abroad.

“We are not just whittling away at the al-Qaeda organization, but cracking their command network,” said Maj. Marc Young, an MNF-I spokesperson. “We will continue to target terrorists and their organizations so the Iraqi people can move forward and build their own country.”

Multi-National Force - Iraq - 19 suspected al-Qaeda detained in Coalition raids