Articles: Iraq commander lauds 56th Stryker Brigade efforts
MND-B Soldiers, Salman Pak leaders reopen industrial school
NCO Academy Develops IA Leaders
Chamchamal partners cut ribbon on correctional facility
Iraqi doctors practice modern medical techniques
ISF Arrest al-Mashadani for Suspected Crimes
Purple Heart recipient saved by helmet
Romanian contingents swap out at FOB Delta
Iraqi Security, Coalition forces respond to recent attack
Multi-National Corps – TIKRIT, Iraq – Samarra Special Weapons and Tactics with Coalition forces conducted a raid March 24 in Salah Ad Din Province to capture a suspected terrorist cell leader responsible for criminal and terrorist actions.
In response to a recent attack against CF, Samarra SWAT and CF advisors arrested the suspect pursuant to a local judicial-issued warrant.
The detained individual is also allegedly responsible for the facilitation of weapons sales, illegal arms
“The teams dedicated a lot of time, effort and resources to this target,” said the CF ground forces commander. “This operation is a model for successful cooperation.”
NCO Academy Develops IA Leaders
BAGHDAD — Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, U.S. Army officials saw a need for training the reconstituted Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) in many basic military tasks. Troop leading procedures, map reading, infantry tactics and hand to hand combat are all now standard training initiatives performed by the men and women who make up the nearly 160 Army Military Transition Teams (MiTT) currently operating in Iraq.
“The MiTT mission is vital to the stability of Iraq,” said Makhayel Bey, civilian advisor, 11th Iraqi Army Division MiTT. ”We are not here to be the occupying force, our job is to teach, train, and mentor the Iraqi force so they can train their own [military] to be a better military, protect their people, and be a more self-sufficient military force once we pull out of here.”
The 11th MiTT and their Iraqi counterparts from the 11th IA Div. have worked and trained together over the past few months. Utilizing the Iraqi Non-commissioned Officer’s Academy set up by the previous MiTT team, the 11th pushes for a higher standard, while continuing to nurture a growing confidence in their partnership force.
“What we are trying to do is change the imagery from an NCO academy to a TRADOC [Training and Doctrine Command], where we can capture all the material from intelligence, signal, and computer operations. Anything we can implement to help the 11th IA become more proficient,” said Capt. Charlie Silva, the 11th MiTT intelligence advisor.
By American military standards, the idea is not a revolutionary one. However, for the IA, learning to conduct business “more constructively” through collective thought and goal-oriented processes is a key training point the 11th MiTT is implementing.
“There is an exchange in culture; a period of earning our counterpart’s trust,” said Silva. “These are very proud individuals who have plenty of reasons to feel the way that they do. We have to prove they can trust us, before they will sit down and learn from us.”
“So you have to understand that it took the U.S. Army over 200 years to get where we are at,” Bey said. “These guys are about six or seven years into the process. The change is not going to come over night, so we have to be patient and realize how important this training opportunity is and build that bridge to help get the Iraqi Army where we know they can be.”
Iraqi troops have taken the first and most important steps successfully, with the establishment of a working relationship within the 11th IA Div. and U.S. MiTT members. Based on this success, the MiTT team has started closer coordination with the main IA school house in Camp Taji, organizing what Silva calls a more cooperative and focused approach for military commanders and troop leaders to share knowledge resulting in a more tactically prepared IA.
“Right now we are focusing on sorting out hang-ups and snags along the way,” said Silva. “It is the small things that are hindering us now, like getting paper work for the class participants submitted in a timely manner.”
For Silva and team mates, this innocuous problem is compounded by the fact that a number of his students cannot read or write. They are slowly moving toward rectifying these things by working closer with IA commanders and offering literacy classes to help speed up the learning process.
“There is definitely no lack of want or drive to be successful with these guys. We just have to remain humble, put aside that ego and realize we are in their country to help. Then you can drive on with the training,” Bey said.
“With every day that passes and every block of instruction, you see just how much you are affecting the big picture,” Silva said. “They always show us something new every day that lets us know this program and our partnership is heading in the right direction.” (Multi-National Division – Baghdad Release)
| Operational Update: Maj. Gen. Perkins, Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta, March 25 |
 Maj. Gen. David Perkins, MNF-I, and Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta, Iraqi Army, provide an operational update.
|
Multi-National Division –Iraq commander lauds 56th Stryker Brigade efforts
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Forces—Iraq Commander, Gen. Raymond Odierno, praised the work of 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team Soldiers following a visit to the Taji region of Iraq, north of Baghdad.
Odierno met leaders of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Unit March 21, while also participating in a patrol conducted by one of the 56th SBCT companies in Tarmiyah.
Odierno took time at the conclusion of a daily morning briefing to laud the 56th, saying the brigade “has done a very good job of picking up the fight” from the unit it replaced in February – the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based in Hawaii.
“I found the brigade and the company that was in that area to be very aware of its surroundings and to be developing good relationships with the Iraqi Security Forces - specifically the Iraqi Army units there - as well as quickly bonding with the community,” Odierno said. “It was a very impressive visit and they are on the right track.”
Odierno commented that the brigade “has established a very good relationship” with the civilians who comprise the reconstruction team at work in Taji. He pointed out that the National Guard Soldiers have brought their civilian skills to Iraq.
“They are using some of the unique capacity they have, that a National Guard unit brings, specifically, the number of police officers they have who normally serve as police officers back home. They are using them in order to support the PTTs [police training teams] that are working with the local police,” Odierno said.
Command Sergeant Maj. John Jones, 56th SBCT command sergeant major, spoke with Odierno during the visit. Jones said Odierno wanted to know about the living conditions of the Soldiers.
“He was asking about the welfare of the Soldiers,” Jones said. “He asked about the life support and the force protection for Soldiers at our JSS’s (Joint Security Stations).”
“Our Soldiers need to know that a general officer at that level is concerned about them,” Jones added.
The 56th SBCT will be deployed in Iraq through late summer. More than 4,000 Soldiers are deployed with the 56th SBCT and the brigade’s Soldiers are from armories throughout Pennsylvania.
| Iraqi Freedom Minute, March 30 |
|
 Watch Now |
Multi-National Division –MND-B Soldiers, Salman Pak leaders reopen industrial school
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from Task Force 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, attended the grand opening of the Salman Pak Industrial School, March 24. The USAID provided funding for the $600,000 renovation project.
The Industrial School reopened its doors after major reconstruction work was completed after virtually being destroyed during insurgent led attacks at the height of sectarian violence in 2006-2007.
The Industrial school will offer eight courses available for up to 700 students to learn skills on sewing generator maintenance, welding, automotive repair, plumbing, electrical installation, masonry and carpentry. The Industrial school also received new equipment for a women’s sewing room, a machine and metal working section and a computer room.
The Ministry of Education will maintain the building grounds, hire and retain qualified teachers for the school, and provide a full-time guard for the school.
“This school has a 30-year history and always represented a chance for learning and helping the youth of the Mada’in progress, but because of the violence in the area after the war it stopped,” said Qassi Mrweh, Mada’in Qada Council Chairman.
The improved security situation brought by the ISF, CF and also by the local people who became tired of the instability, enabled contractors to rebuild the industrial school, according to Mrweh.
“This is an excellent example of cooperation between coalition forces and our Iraqi counter parts in the Mada’in Qada,” said Christopher Crowley, mission director, USAID/Iraq.
Local leaders, partnered with MND-B Soldiers, continue to work to bring Salman Pak to its former glory days when the city was known for the Ctesiphon Arch and city amusement park and not as a battle ground of sectarian fighting.
Chamchamal partners cut ribbon on correctional facility
By Hassan Mohammad - Gulf Region North - Chamchamal, Iraq – The Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq completed the two-year, $27 million Chamchamal Correctional Facility on time and on budget and were on-hand recently for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
The project, managed by the Gulf Region North district, marked one of the largest partnership agreements in Iraq for USACE. GRD Commanding General Maj Gen. Michael Eyre presided over the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – the final phase of the partnership initiated to build the facility.
In addition to the Corps of Engineers, the U.S. State Department’s Regional Reconstruction Team and the Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister, other partners in the project include the Chroo Group – the general contractor; the Governor of Sulaymaniyah; the Mayor of Chamchamal; the Iraqi Correctional Services; and the Iraqi Ministries of Electricity, Roads and Bridges, Environment, Agriculture, Justice, Health and Work and Social Affairs.
In his opening remarks, Eyre said, “This [project] was no simple task to accomplish. However, with the combined team effort of all the partners and open communication and coordination we were able to overcome all the challenges associated with the project. I am extremely proud of the culmination of our collective efforts that brought this project to a successful completion: on time and on budget.
“This is a remarkable accomplishment that sets the standard for all construction efforts.”
According to Gary Lowe, the GRN project engineer for the correctional facility project, “The success of this project encompasses the entire USACE business model, which is proven and tested by the history of our organization. This Federal Correctional Facility project is the first of its magnitude and type completed on schedule and within budget and that is a USACE success story for the Iraq mission.”
Lowe said the major construction challenge for the project was starting with a poorly maintained existing structure that was built without consideration of any international building codes. Engineers had to redesign the existing facility’s internal layout and support buildings to make it a modern correctional facility that complies with both international and U.S. Coalition requirements for the humane treatment of inmates. The redesigned structure also meets modern electrical, plumbing and fire safety codes.
The correctional facility, located outside the city of Chamchamal in northeastern Iraq, will house 2,000 medium security inmates and 1,000 high security inmates. The facility will have a staff of 1,200 employees, which includes a large guard force. Most of the staff will be hired locally, providing a much-needed economic boost to the surrounding communities.
| Freedom Journal Iraq, March 26 |
|
|
Iraqi doctors practice modern medical techniques
Multi-National Division – Center - KARBALA, Iraq – Iraqi medical staff participated in applied techniques and medical discussions with a team of 10 U.S. doctors during a medical symposium held at the Al-Hussein General Hospital here March 22-25.
Col. John P. Schriver, 10th Combat Support Hospital Chief Surgeon, has been working with the Iraqi doctors to modernize their medical procedures.
Schriver walked with them through patient wards at the hospital, discussing the best candidates for a joint surgery to be performed by Iraqi and American surgeons.
“By examining each patient’s case, I am able to listen to what the staff here has diagnosed a patient with, and then we can design a care plan for those patients,” Schriver said.
The Iraqi doctors and Schriver considered several candidates for the joint surgery. A pancreatic surgery, a colon surgery, a surgery to repair a hole in a patient’s intestines and a stomach and esophagus surgery were among those considered. After discussing the candidates’ cases, Schriver and the Iraqi doctors decided to perform the surgery on the stomach and esophagus.
The symposium also included classes taught by U.S. doctors to help advance the techniques and procedures used by the medical staff.
“The goal is to help improve the medical care here in Karbala, and the staff has been very receptive of the information we're providing them,” said Capt. Michael S. Cahill, 172nd Infantry Brigade Surgeon.
According to the medical staff here, Cahill's goals were achieved and the medical symposium was a success.
“I think this symposium was a good way to communicate with medical staff here,” said Dr. Ihsan H. Musa, a physician at the hospital. “The training we received will help improve the health care provided here and, in the future, improve the health care in all of Iraq.”
ISF Arrest al-Mashadani for Suspected Crimes
BAGHDAD –Adel Karim Shaker al-Mashadani was arrested on March 28 in an operation led by the Iraqi Emergency Response Brigade and supported by Coalition Force advisors.
Mashadani was arrested under a warrant issued by the Iraqi government. He is suspected of illegally searching, detaining and extorting bribes in excess of $160,000 a month from the citizens of Fahdil, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks that killed Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), leading an IED cell, leading an indirect fire cell, ties to Al-Qaeda in Iraq, and collusion with the terrorist network Jaysh al Islami.
He was not detained because of his involvement with the Sons of Iraq (SOI).
“We remain thankful for the extraordinary work of the Sons of Iraq, and the contributions they have made to the security of Iraq,” said Major General David Perkins, spokesman for Multi-National Force – Iraq. “The Sons of Iraq have provided a great service to the people of Baghdad.”
Fighting in Fadhil subsided overnight with sporadic gunfire ending by 2 a.m. ISF met with SOI leaders in the area on Sunday and made a call to turn-in weapons in the area.
Purple Heart recipient saved by helmet
Multi-National Division – Center - CAMP ECHO, Iraq – A 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Soldier, whose life was saved by his Advanced Combat Helmet, received a Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge on Camp Echo March 20.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Harvey, construction supervisor, Company E, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, and attached to Special Troops Battalion, received the awards after being shot and continuing to return fire during an enemy attack in Najaf Feb. 10.
The attack came during a route clearance mission when Harvey, who was truck commander of the lead vehicle, dismounted to clear debris that became tangled underneath his vehicle.
“As I was leaning forward, I saw three rounds hit by my feet,” Harvey said. He added that he quickly turned and identified the enemy shooter partially concealed behind a berm. “I returned fire and yelled back up to my driver and gunner.”
He continued to return fire until he saw the enemy go down. He then stood up and scanned the area.
“I saw something to my five-o’clock and called up to the gunner. As soon as I turned, I got hit. The round went through my Kevlar,” Harvey said, pointing to a point above and behind his right ear. The Kevlar altered the course of the bullet, channeling the bullet around his head and down the back of his neck.
Harvey said the force of the impact slammed his head into the vehicle, cutting a gash on his cheek. He went down and noticed blood flowing from his left cheek. In his shock, he said he thought the bullet had passed through his face.
“I yelled up that I was hit,” Harvey said.As Harvey laid on the ground,I he continued shooting at the enemy.
In a disoriented state, Harvey thought he was at a training range, where Soldiers often times practice rifle marksmanship by firing at pop-up targets at placed various distances.
“I was trying to shoot the guy. I thought I was at a pop-up range, because I couldn’t hit the target,” Harvey said. “I could see my rounds impacting. I remember thinking: ‘Man, this pop-up target won’t go down. I’m going to get a bad score’,”
Harvey still hadn’t realized that the round struck his ACH. His Soldiers continued engaging the enemy and another vehicle in the convoy pulled around to cover him and load him into their truck.
“They pulled off all my gear and the medic came up and checked me out,”
Harvey said.Other than minor shrapnel wounds, cuts and a possible concussion, the medic told him he was fine. The other Soldiers downplayed the incident and told Harvey that he was probably just hit with shrapnel from bullets striking the vehicle and ground.
“I told them, ‘No, I’m pretty sure I got hit,’” Harvey said. “That’s when their squad leader picked up my Kevlar and said, ‘Hey man, you’ve got a bullet hole through your Kevlar!’”
“I still had my adrenaline going, so I wasn’t really in that much pain,” he continued. “I still wanted to [command] my truck.”
His platoon leader made him try to relax as they returned the vehicle back to Forward Operating Base Endeavor on a flat tire.
“I smoked a cigarette and drank a Rippit. By that time, my adrenaline stopped and I started puking and got dizzy,” Harvey said. “I was kind of going in and out of it. The (medical evacuation helicopters) came in and medics checked me out and gave me (intravenous fluids).”
“I came to as I was going into the hospital at Balad. They checked me out and told me I was lucky,” Harvey said. They gave him additional tests and treated him for minor shrapnel wounds, cuts and a bad concussion.
After a few days of tests and evaluations, he was sent back to Camp Echo and saw his Soldiers for a day before going on his pre-planned environmental morale leave.
“I was already scheduled for leave, so I went home and hung out there,” said Harvey. He said his wife Crystal, whom he has been married to for more than a year, was shocked when she found out, but also strong and supportive.
“She’s pretty strong. She got through it and understands,but she told me to stop getting hurt,” he laughed. “I get hurt too much,” he added with a shrug.
About a month after the attack, he said his headaches began to subside and have now almost completely stopped. But the headaches are a small price to pay for his life, thanks to his helmet.
Harvey has been in the Army for more than seven years and has deployed to Iraq four times. He said he has been shot at or hit by roadside bombs during each deployment and has been saved a number of times because of the equipment and armor provided to him by the Army.
This is Harvey’s second Purple Heart. He received his first during a deployment to Iraq in 2003 after a roadside bomb explosion injured him in the head and neck. In that incident, his older-style helmet stopped or hampered the destructive passage of shrapnel. He said he feels his helmet helped save his life then as well.
He said the incidents increased his confidence in the equipment he uses. The members of his command and his fellow Soldiers are also more confident after seeing the deadly effects of a bullet thwarted by the helmet that many of them once complained about having to wear.
“You guys looked at that Kevlar and saw the direction that (round) was going and where it went out. It did exactly what it was designed to do,” said Lt. Col. Leo Caballero, commander, Special Troops Battalion,10th Mountain Division, to the company formation during the award ceremony.
Harvey received his awards from Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, deputy commanding general of operations, Multi-National Division – Center.
“(The Purple Heart) is a significant award,” said Buchanan, during the award ceremony. “It’s in recognition of the American people and the sacrifice that you personally made. It’s in recognition of your selfless service.”
For Harvey, his Purple Hearts are reminders of the sacrifices he has made and is willing to make for his country and his people. They are also reminders of how close he came to dying and how precious life is.
“I feel lucky. This wasn’t the first time I’ve been hit, but it kind of opens my eyes a little more,” he said.
He said he appreciates life and what he has more than ever.
“I wasn’t married for my other deployments. We’ve been married a little while and are trying to have kids,” said Harvey. “It kind of made me think more, but I still plan on staying in. This is what I do. They’ll probably have to kick me out after 30 years.”
However, he said he hopes, as does his family, that he receives no more Purple Hearts.
Romanian contingents swap out at FOB Delta
Multi-National Division – Center - FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – The 11th Romanian Contingent passed their Iraqi mission on to the 12th Romanian Contingent during a transfer of authority ceremony on Forward Operating Base Delta March 23.
“As a valued member of our team, the 41st Fires Brigade salutes the 11th Contingent for their partnership, professionalism, significant contributions and, most of all their friendship,” said Col. Richard Francey, commander, 41st Fires Bde.
“Thank you for all you did in helping the Iraqi people in their quest for this unprecedented freedom,” Francey added. “The history books will speak highly of your effort.”
The 11th Romanian Contingent worked with the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team and the 41st Fires Bde. intelligence and engineering sections, conducting unmanned aerial vehicle operations. The 12th Romanian Contingent will continue to fulfill the same missions at FOB Delta.
“We leave Iraq with the feeling that we did all our best to fulfill the received mission,” said Col. Valentin Nistor, 11th Romanian Contingent’s senior representative.
“I want to deliver my best regards and an easy mission to the Romanian newcomers, to wish them to push further what we succeeded here and to fulfill with excellent results all the tasks,” he added. “Be safe and God bless you.”
Colonel Cornel Pavel takes over as the 12th Romanian Contingent’s senior Romanian representative and said that he is looking forward to continuing the mission.
“It is also an important chance to work with our American partners, I assure you we will do our best, and thank you,” said Pavel.
The senior Romanian representative in Baghdad also attended the transfer of authority ceremony and praised the 11th Romanian Contingent’s hard work.
“I have only heard very good things from the brigade commander, coming from the division commander and his deputy, General Buchanan, but also coming from the PRT,” said Romanian Brig. Gen. Catalin Tomescu. “That means you did your job well.”
Tomescu also encouraged the incoming Romanians to embrace the new cultures they will experience, both American and Iraqi, and to continue to show the professionalism and friendship that the Romanians are known for.
The 11th Romanian Contingent has been deployed to Iraq since Sept. 2008, and the 12th Romanian Contingent is scheduled for a six month deployment.
Stumble It!
