In this edition
Iraqis Assume Full Control of FOB Iskan
Attack at IP station in Mosul kills two, injures four Update to: 20090224-05
ISF, MND-B Soldiers discover munitions, magnetic IED
Iraqi Interpreter killed in SAF attack
Iraqi M1A1 Tank Program Managers visit Besmaya Range Complex
Video Available: Troops Celebrate Black History Month
Accountability
Iraqis Assume Full Control of FOB Iskan
Wednesday, 25 February 2009 Multi-National Division – Center Release
FOB ISKAN — Coalition forces transferred authority of this Forward Operating Base (FOB) to the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity (MoE) during a ceremony here, Feb. 22.
The ceremony officially turned over the responsibilities of the FOB to the MoE and signified that the Iraqi government has the capability to secure the Musayyib Thermal Power Plant.
Al Abd al-Ameer al-Yasseri, the general director of operations at the Ministerial Presidency, and Lt. Col. Steven Miska, commander, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, both spoke about what it meant to transfer the responsibility for FOB Iskan over to Iraqi officials.
“This transfer of authority reinforces the Iraqi government’s independence and demonstrates the capabilities of the Iraqis,” said Miska.
Lt. Col. Mary Morehouse, deputy director of personnel, Logistics and Resource Management for Multi-National Force - Iraq, and Yasseri, signed the official paperwork transferring the authority to the MoE.
“The Iraqis have come to a point where they can stabilize security on and around the FOB,” said Capt. Bradley Kinser, 1st Bn., 2nd Inf. Reg.
The Musayyib Thermal Power Plant is located here, and provides power to the majority of Babil Province and 25 percent of the electricity to Baghdad.
Security for the plant will be one of the major responsibilities for the MoE. The last attack by anti-Iraqi forces on the FOB happened in October 2008, when a mortar attack occurred and left many Iraqis without electricity.
The power plant had stopped generating electricity in 2003 due to terrorist activities.
Coalition forces maintained the security on the FOB, while the 1,600 Iraqi employees fixed and continued to work in the power plant.
Watching
Gate Keeper
Attack at IP station in Mosul kills two, injures four Update to: 20090224-05
Multi-National Division – North
Mosul, Iraq – One U.S. Soldier and one Iraqi interpreter died as a result of an attack at an Iraqi Police station in Mosul, Iraq, Feb. 24.
Three U.S. Soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter were also wounded.
Injured personnel were taken to the Combat Support Hospital in Mosul, where the U.S. Soldier died of his wounds.
The cause and nature of the attack are under investigation.
The names of the deceased and wounded are being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the U.S. Department of Defense.
ISF, MND-B Soldiers discover munitions, magnetic IED
Multi-National Division – Baghdad
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division—Baghdad Soldiers discovered a mortar cache and diffused an improvised explosive device Feb. 23, while conducting combined operations in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.
Acting on a tip from a Sons of Iraq security volunteer, Iraqi National Police from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd NP Division, working with Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, discovered a cache consisting of four 81mm mortar rounds and 15 60mm mortar rounds in a Bayaa neighborhood at approximately 5:30 p.m., Feb. 23.
A Coalition forces explosive ordnance disposal team responded and assessed the cache.
The mortar rounds had a lot number of 2006 and were in good condition, said Staff Sgt. Isaac Lewis, the operations sergeant, assigned to the 752nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., Feb. 23, in the Zubaida area, SoI security members working with Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, identified an improvised explosive device attached to the undercarriage of a local SoI leader’s vehicle.
A CF EOD unit responded to the scene to properly defuse the IED.
There were no injuries or damages reported.
Iraqi Interpreter killed in SAF attack
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
MOSUL – Four U.S. Soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter were injured and another Iraqi interpreter was killed in a small arms fire attack during a meeting at an Iraqi Police station in Ninewa Province at approximately 2 p.m. Feb. 24.
The injured have been transported to a combat support hospital in Mosul. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause and nature of the attack. Subsequent information will be provided as details become available.
Iraqi M1A1 Tank Program Managers visit Besmaya Range Complex
BESMAYA, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Coalition partners traveled to Besmaya Range Complex Feb. 23 for an update on the new M1A1 Abrams training program underway here. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Salazar, commander, Joint Headquarters Army Advisory Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, accompanied Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Hazim, Col. Razzaq, and Col. Abdul Ameer, program managers for the M1A1 Abrams tank fielding for the Iraqi Army.
The visit consisted of a tour of an M1A1 Abrams tank, a question-and-answer session with the top Iraqi student, Lt. Husham Jamel Ali, and finally an exhilarating ride in the M1A1 designed to demonstrate the speed and maneuverability of the weapons platform.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Timothy Renshaw, Coalition Senior Advisor - Besmaya Combat Training Center, briefed training scenarios and the objectives of the intense tank training to the program managers. Detailing the steps involved in completing the course, he said, “They first learn how to operate the main gun, and then advance to acquiring multiple targets.”
Husham, currently a student in the train-the-trainer course, was asked about his impression of the training to-date. He replied, “The combination of hands-on training and classroom training is very effective. The training is difficult, but we are dedicated to completing each training scenario. We do not leave the training area until the mission is complete, no matter if it is past normal duty hours.”
The Iraqi M1A1 Abrams students have the opportunity to train with simulators to familiarize themselves with the operations of the weapons system. Husham said, “We cannot tell the difference between training in the simulators (on the weapons systems) compared to the real thing. Using the simulators is an effective way to learn the weapons system and gain confidence before live-fire training.”
Mr. Mark Bangsboll, JHAATT M1A1 Project Officer/Advisor, stated, “Currently, the first four American tanks are at Besmaya Range Complex, with another 18 to be delivered within the next month. The 22 tanks will be used to train 11 Iraqi tank crews in each of thirteen future 45-day rotations. Iraq has purchased 140 M1A1 Abrams tanks, scheduled for delivery in August 2010.”
Salazar added, “We currently have 30 Iraqis in the M1A1 Train-the-Trainer course for the first phase of the process. The second phase will involve these new instructors training the new crews. They are committed to providing the best possible training to the Iraqi Army before they receive the first new tanks.”
Video Available: Troops Celebrate Black History Month
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
BAGHDAD – Coalition members on Camp Victory held a Black History Month observance in Al Faw Palace Feb 23. Footage includes B-Roll of the event, themed “The Quest for Black Citizenship,” and includes song, dance, poetry and a speech by Lt. Col. David M. Hamilton, Commander’s Initiatives Group, Multi-National Corps-Iraq. For access to the video, contact the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System by calling (678) 421-6604 or visit the Web site at www.DVIDSHUB.net
Direct link to Part 1:
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=55044
Direct link to Part 2:
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=55045
Direct link to Part 3:
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=55046
The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Feb. 23 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using small arms fire. They were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Killed were:
Cpl. Michael L. Mayne, 21, of Burlington Flats, N.Y.,
Spc. Micheal B. Alleman, 31, of Logan, Utah, and
Pfc. Zachary R. Nordmeyer, 21, of Indianapolis, Ind.
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