War In Iraq Daily News - December 18, 2008
| Iraqi Logistics System Takes Shape, Boosts Efficiency |
| Thursday, 18 December 2008 | |
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CAMP LIBERTY — Iraqi security forces, aided by U.S. Soldiers, have taken another step toward self-sufficiency by securing the supplies and equipment they need to sustain operations. |
In the past five years, Iraqi Army logistics has struggled to make ends meet for its Soldiers. One of the crucial issues involved obtaining spare parts for Humvees, the primary vehicles Iraqi Soldiers use on their daily missions.
“It became such an inhibitor that it was an issue brought up in every meeting we went to. It was keeping them off the road from successfully conducting current operations,” Army Maj. John Joseph, officer in charge of the 4th Infantry Division’s Iraqi security forces logistics cell, said.
A lack of spare parts was not the issue. The Iraqi Army had ordered and received the parts, but a plan to distribute them to the battalion and brigade levels did not exist.
“There was a bunch of spare parts sitting unorganized in a warehouse in Taji,” Joseph said.
In September, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, along with Coalition military officials, developed a program that organized spare parts, put them into packages and distributed them to the 6th, 9th, 11th and 14th Iraqi Army divisions in Baghdad.
The divisions then developed their own plans to distribute them to the brigade and battalion levels, Joseph said.
Joseph, along with Army Maj. Shane Upton, has been monitoring the implementation of the program from the beginning and will see it through its completion at the end of this month.
“This is a true test of the Iraqi Army logistics system and the capabilities of the headquarters support companies,” Joseph said.
Many Iraqi Soldiers were trained by military police transition teams as mechanics, but the lack of parts prevented them from putting their training to use. Now that the parts are being distributed, mechanics can be pulled from checkpoints and do what they were trained to do -- fix vehicles, Joseph said. “The Iraqi logistics system now has a chance to work for itself, which is our goal.”
(By Army Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield, Special to American Forces Press Service)
Feature Stories
| Lithuanians Conclude Mission in Iraq |
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BAGHDAD — The Lithuanian armed forces contingent officially brought its mission in Iraq to a close during a ceremony at Al Faw Palace here, Dec. 16. The Lithuanians have provided an infantry platoon and multiple staff officers in support of Multi-National Force – Iraq, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, Multi-National Division – South East and Multi-National Division – Center South since 2003. |
| Freedom of the Press in Sadr City |
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Al Medina is a locally produced and locally owned newspaper that focuses on current news affecting the people of Sadr City. |
| Bawi Water Pump, Filter Facility Opens in Salman Pak |
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BAGHDAD — Local Iraqi leaders and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers held a reopening ceremony for the Bawi water pump and filter facility in Salman Pak, Dec. 13. This water facility has the ability to provide water to almost all of the major areas of the Mada’in Qada and many of the minor areas too. |
| Interactive Iraq :: Video News | |||
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•This edition features stories on an end mission ceremony for the Bulgarian military.
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Multi-tasking
Center of Attention
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operations Forces took hostile fire during an operation northwest of Baghdad Dec. 17, killing three of the assailants. In addition, four suspected criminals were captured, believed to responsible for attacking Coalition forces and Iraqi government officials. At the site, several weapons were also seized, along with bullet-proof vests, homemade explosives, suspect electronics, identification cards and other documents. “This operation was directed toward thwarting criminal activities,” said Col. Bill Buckner, spokesman for the multi-national corps - Iraq The professional manner in which the ISOF responded further illustrates the increasing capability, confidence and resiliency of the Iraqi Security Forces and their ability to protect the Iraqi people.” Prior Planning | |||||||||||||
| Wednesday, 17 December 2008 | Explosion kills 9, wounds 43 in Baghdad |
| Wednesday, 17 December 2008 | Three terrorists killed, 14 suspects detained late Tuesday, early Wednesday |
BAGHDAD – Three terrorists were killed and 14 suspects were detained as Coalition forces continued to degrade al-Qaeda in Iraq facilitation and leadership networks during multiple operations Tuesday and Wednesday.
Coalition forces captured one wanted man Tuesday in Bayji, 160 km south of Mosul. The suspected terrorist is believed to be an AQI cell leader in the city.
Also Tuesday near Abu Mariyah, 40 km north of Mosul, Coalition forces detained one suspect believed to have connections to a suspected AQI foreign terrorist facilitator.
Forces continued targeting AQI leadership early Wednesday. A wanted man assessed to be an AQI military leader was captured by Coalition forces in Mosul.
AQI’s foreign terrorist facilitation networks in northern Iraq were further disrupted by forces during two operations Wednesday. One terrorist was killed during an operation targeting a wanted man believed to smuggle foreign terrorists into Mosul and throughout Iraq. After the assault force detained one terrorist, the man broke his restraints and attacked a member of the assault force. Perceiving hostile intent, forces engaged and killed the man. Two additional suspects were detained without further incident.
A wanted man who reportedly has connections to AQI foreign terrorist facilitators was captured Wednesday in Talbah, 14 km northeast of Mosul. Three suspects assessed to be associates of the man were also detained for additional questioning.
Two terrorists believed to be linked to Sumarra AQI leaders were killed during an operation early Wednesday near Tikrit, 160 km north of Baghdad. When the assault force entered a building believed to be the location of a wanted terrorist operative, two men grabbed AK-47s and attempted to engage forces. Acting in self-defense, the assault force engaged and killed the two armed terrorists. In addition to the two rifles, forces found multiple grenades and magazines in the house. Two suspects were detained during the operation.
Two suspects assessed to be associates of a regional AQI leader were detained near Ramadi, 115 km northwest of Baghdad.
In Baghdad Wednesday, forces detained one individual believed to have ties to an AQI weapons facilitator and car bomb operative.
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