In this edition
Enemy IED in Al Karradah district kills one, injures three (Baghdad)
Iraqi Army Assumes Full Control of JSS
Airmen Teach Iraqis Aircraft Maintenance
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Sorenson addresses AFCEA meeting (Baghdad)
ISF, MND-B Soldiers detain suspected criminals (Baghdad)
Freedom Journal Iraq, Feb. 27
Enemy IED in Al Karradah district kills one, injures three (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD –One Iraqi Soldier was killed and three were wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated in the Al Karradah district of eastern Baghdad, Feb 26.
At approximately 7:30 a.m., an Iraqi patrol with 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, was struck by an IED. Multi-National Division—Baghdad Paratroopers with 1st Battalion., 319 Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Div., immediately responded to the scene to assist with security and evacuation of the wounded.
The wounded were treated and taken to a local hospital for further care.
An investigation is on-going.
Iraqi Army Assumes Full Control of JSS
Friday, 27 February 2009
BAGHDAD — U.S. Soldiers turned over the reins of Joint Security Station Sheikh Marouf to the Iraqi Army during a transfer ceremony, Feb. 23.
“Many may remember the darker days when a combined U.S. and Iraqi security station was necessary,” said Lt. Col. Robert Kirby, a native of Louisville, Ky., commander, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment. “The [Iraqi] Security Forces, the local leaders, and more importantly, the people decided there had been enough violence and it needed to stop.”
Since 2003, terrorists had a significant influence in the Karkh area of Baghdad, specifically the infamous Haifa Street, which was battleground in early 2007 between Sunni insurgents and partnered Coalition and Iraqi forces.
“Terrorists tried to take over, but they will never again because of the hard work and sacrifice of Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces,” said Maj. Hussein, commander, 1st Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division. “We will never forget those who lost their lives to help secure this area.”
After the partnered warriors neutralized their enemy in the Sheik Marouf area, Hussein said the neighborhood, district councils, government and religious leaders and citizens of Karkh came together to ensure peace thrived through the area.
“I’m so thankful for the dedication of the people here,” he said. “We removed the terrorist elements from here and we are here to stay.”
As security improves, the ISF continue to take the lead in ensuring their people are safe. Kirby noted that the transfer was an example of the ISF’s improvement over the last few years.
“Today’s transfer is truly another step forward for the Iraqi people. It shows the capabilities of the Iraqi Army and Police to protect the people,” Kirby said. “While Coalition forces no longer operate from this site, our commitment to share its goals does not change. We will continue to operate in partnership with the ISF to enable the bright future that lies ahead for the people of Karkh.”
He also said Karkh’s citizens are beginning to reap the benefits of safety in their neighborhoods.
“From this site, Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Coalition forces, in concert with local government and civic leaders, and the people, planned and conducted operations to rid the area of the violence that plagued it. Families are seen shopping in the markets or in the parks and children attend school without fear,” Kirby said. “Now the concrete walls are coming down and the people are living peaceful together without the threat of attacks and violence.”
(By Spc. Dustin Roberts, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs)
Airmen Teach Iraqis Aircraft Maintenance
Friday, 27 February 2009 By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
Baghdad Media Outreach Team
SATHER AIR BASE — Imagine trying to teach someone how to perform a very complex task when they have no formal training. Now picture accomplishing this when you don’t even speak the same language.
This is the task at hand for many aircraft structural maintenance Airmen from the 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, but for them it’s not just about teaching, it’s also about learning.
“When we first arrived there was a huge language barrier, but over time we have made progress in teaching the Iraqis aircraft maintenance,” said Tech. Sgt. Jim Grifasi, 321st AEAS metals technician advisor. “We have also learned a lot about how to teach them.”
The advisors concluded that the best way to teach the Iraqis the intricate tasks of aircraft structural maintenance was to let their counterparts do the teaching for them.
“We decided to teach the ones who could speak English, the ones we could communicate with, and then let them teach their own,” said Grifasi, who is deployed from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
The experimental teaching process has been an enormous success, according to Tech. Sgt. Bobby McKenzie, 321st AEAS aircraft structural maintenance advisor.
“Not only are the Iraqis learning how to do their job, but they are even using American written technical orders to accomplish tasks,” he said. “I came in one day and one of them noticed a part was missing. So he took it upon himself to interpret the T.O., order the part and use the Iraqi supply system to get the part delivered.”
Not only are the advisors teaching the Iraqis how to perform their day-to-day jobs, but according to McKenzie, they are also teaching them the importance of running a successful shop.
“We have an Iraqi major and we are trying to make him realize that he is the boss and he needs to make decisions that are in the best interest of his shop,” said the Manchester, Tenn., native.
“We are also promoting pride in the workplace and the importance of a clean work space,” added Grifasi, who is originally from Buffalo, N.Y.
The Iraqi maintainers have come full circle since these advisors arrived more than six months ago, but they said it was their dedication that impressed them the most.
“One of our guys had a baby girl recently and when we worked it out so he could go and see her for the first time, he said, ‘if you can stay here for a year away from your family to teach me, then I can wait a few more days to see my daughter.’ That’s how dedicated these guys are,” said McKenzie.
The two advisors said it has been difficult at times but all in all, they feel like they are making a difference.
“It has been a very rewarding experience,” said McKenzie. “I have just focused every bit of energy on teaching the Iraqis as much as possible and making friends.”
“I told my commander that if I don’t do something that truly makes a difference in changing their life, then I have wasted the last year of mine,” added Grifasi.
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Sorenson addresses AFCEA meeting (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD – U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Sorenson, Chief Information Officer for the Secretary of the Army, spoke at the monthly Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association meeting here Feb. 26. The meeting, held at Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq headquarters, was attended by Iraqi Maj. Gen. Sa’ad Kadhum, Director General of Communications for the Ministry of Information; Brig. Gen. Aliwe Jassam, Director - Radio Repair Division; Brig. Gen. Mahmood Al-Anni from the Ministry of Information; Brig. Gen. Ahmed Hoan, Advanced First Responder Network Program Manager for the Ministry of Information; and Dr. Ali Taresh, Chief Information Officer for the Ministry of Defense.
The event was joined via video teleconference by other AFCEA members and guests from Victory Base, including communications officers from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and DoD civilians.
Lt. Gen. Sorenson began by saying to the group, “When it comes to information, it is not what you know, it is what you share.” He added, “The U.S. Army is transforming what its IT network will look like by developing a better expeditionary capability and by having the ability to establish collaboration as a way of doing business. The Army will be transitioning a lot of independent networks into a single network enterprise. In order to be effective, we in the United States have to be able to communicate with all our expeditionary forces. The current network we have is not a single enterprise and we have to do a lot to make it function to the expeditionary level.”
Sorenson summarized by saying, “We want to get to a universal data storage point, with one phone number, e-mail, and one set of collaborative tools that will not change, even when one physically moves, and will be effective anywhere in the world.”
Dr. Taresh asked if the Coalition faced any obstacles that the Ministry of Defense could learn from to achieve the same level of network capability. Sorenson replied, “Getting people to come to agreement on the governance and protocol and the network structure was a challenge. We now have a process where we have one single group that looks at the network structure.”
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Deveon Sudduth from MNSTC-I, J-6, said, “The information Lt. Gen. Sorenson shared was very enlightening. It was very good to see what the Army’s way forward is. I can’t wait to see this process and structure work.”
U.S. Air Force Col. Jeffrey Kromer, MNSTC-I J6, said, “The Baghdad chapter of AFCEA has been active since Nov. 2008. There are over 140 AFCEA chapters worldwide with 19,000 members, 13,000 corporate associates, and 16,000 corporate members. The organization serves as a bridge between government and industry communications professionals.”
MNSTC-I’s and AFCEA’s efforts in training and mentoring their Government of Iraqi partners represents a vital step towards ensuring Iraq’s self-sufficiency for the future.
ISF, MND-B Soldiers detain suspected criminals (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD –Iraqi Security Forces partnered with Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained three suspected criminals Feb. 24-25 while conducting operations in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.
Acting on a tip from an Iraqi citizen, Iraqi National Police from the 1st Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd NP Division, captured two suspected bomb makers in possession of more than 70 timers, one remote control, 13 batteries, a soldering gun, one silicon glue gun, a video cassette recorder and a laptop computer at approximately 12:45 p.m.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, responded to assist their NP partners in the investigation. The NP transported the suspects to a nearby headquarters for processing.
At approximately 6 a.m. Feb. 25, police officers from the 5th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, and Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, used a Baghdad Operations Center warrant in the Shurta community to detain a suspected criminal accused of terrorist activities.
The combined patrol moved the man to a detention facility for additional questioning.
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