| Monday, 23 June 2008 |
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BAGHDAD — Time had little effect on the strands of razor-sharp concertina wire that spanned hundreds of meters and split Ali’s farmland except to dull its original purpose - security. Located on the outer wall of Camp Slayer on the Victory Base Complex in Baghdad, the fence was originally constructed sometime during the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom more than five years ago. But until early June, it served no purpose but to divide.
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In the small community of Radwaniyah, west of Baghdad International airport, an Iraqi farmer simply wanted to be able to access his fields without the seemingly unnecessary long walk-a-rounds resulting from the wire. He had wanted to take the fence down himself; however, he was afraid the coalition forces overlooking his farm from the towers might shoot him.
“I happy to do work taking poles out of ground, but don’t want someone to shoot me because I was stealing,” said Ali, who speaks relatively good English. “I talked to captain (Cesaro) when he drove by and I asked him if I could move it. I thank him very much. Good man.”
Although a handshake was enough to seal the deal for the young Army captain, he provided Ali with a business card explaining he had permission to take the fence down and Coalition forces would assist in the effort. Ali now proudly keeps the card in his wallet and proudly boasts about the friend he has made in Capt. Vincent Cesaro, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
Previously, the wire was designed to keep the Iraqi army out. Yet, in an ironic twist, the division provided by the fence would now serve as an opportunity to bring three forces together again—Iraqi army, coalition forces and Iraqi citizens—which is the focus for the Coalition. Ultimately, the coalition forces strive to turn Iraq to Iraqi control.
“I think it says a lot about the Iraqi Army that they were willing to come out and join us for this mission,” said Cesaro. “Every week we’re looking for opportunity for IA and Coalition forces to work together, and in this case, these guys had just gotten in from patrols at three in the morning, yet, they still came out here.”
With temperatures in Baghdad reaching more than 100 degrees, the Soldiers joined forces with these local farmers and began dismantling the fence. Constructed of 300 plus rolls of concertina wire and six-foot tall metal posts dug deep into the hardened earth, the two-day mission was very challenging at times. Weeds had grown around the wire which oftentimes required the strength of a vehicle to pull it free.
In between work periods, these Soldiers were able to learn more about one another - with the benefit of two interpreters - and, yet again, continuing to build on their relationship.
“Soldiers are Soldiers, and the IA guys are really interested in talking with our guys; building camaraderie, and most important, we’re getting the job done and building a better Iraq,” said Cesaro. “For me, it’s just real neat to see the progress.”
Feature Stories
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 BAGHDAD — At first glance it doesn’t look like much: a construction site with a large wooden box strapped to a forklift, a crane, approximately 15 Iraqi Army and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, and a small pile of equipment.
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BAGHDAD — After successful efforts to restore order in the Sadr City section of Baghdad, as well as Basra and Mosul, Iraqi Security Forces now are focused on conducting anti-insurgent operations in the southeastern city of Amarah, a senior U.S. military officer said June 22.
Navy Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll told reports during a Baghdad news conference that Iraq’s Soldiers and police are doing “their job to make sure the citizens of this country are no longer intimidated by terrorists and extremist militias and their work is being followed by other areas of government.”
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 BALAD — Joint Base Balad marked the beginning of a new program to spur progress in Iraq in the provinces surrounding the installation.
A ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, Brig. Gen. Gregory E. Couch, commander of the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and Sheik Shihab Ahmed Saleh Al-Tamimi commemorated the opening of the Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone (I-BIZ) Service Center, Basateen Al-Dejayl General Training and Contracting Company, ltd., at Joint Based Balad. The initiative is being spearheaded by the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Indiana Army National Guard.
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| Interactive Iraq :: Video News |
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 • This edition features a Public Works Station that is providing basic facilities including water and sewage for the Iraqi people.
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 • This edition features an operational update with Maj. Gen. Bergner, Iraqi military readiness, and Coalition forces providing medical training.
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