Stories to include: Flight Surgeons Training; Marksmanship Competition; Sec of Def on video; photos
Mosul SWAT Prevents Large-scale Attack on Coalition Forces Bases
| Wednesday, 29 April 2009 | |
| TIKRIT — Mosul Special Weapons and Tactics, with Coalition forces advisors, detained a suspected terrorist planning an attack against two large CF bases, during an operation in Qayarrah April 22. |
According to intelligence sources, the suspected terrorist had already constructed two capable improvised rocket launcher platforms and planned to build more. The plan was to fire five rockets simultaneously on forward operating bases around Mosul, from hidden locations in the surrounding city.
“The detention of this individual will prevent this pending attack, disrupt (terrorist) operations and provide further [information for future missions],” said the ground forces commander.
(Multi-National Corps – Iraq)
Flight Surgeons Train Iraqi Counterparts |
| Wednesday, 29 April 2009 | |
| By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham U.S. Air Forces Central 
Iraqi Air Force and Army members strap a person on a litter inside a UH1 Huey helicopter during the aero-medical evacuation class at New al-Muthana Air Base, Iraq, April 20, 2009. Photo by Senior Airman Jacqueline Romero.
"The Coalition Air Force Training Team is conducting a flight surgeon training course here in Iraq," said Col. William W. Dodson III, Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq CAFTT surgeon. "It is a four-week course and at the end we will graduate seven new Iraqi Air Force and Iraqi Army flight surgeons." After graduation the newly certified Iraqi flight surgeons will be able to directly support their own military mission. "Upon graduation the seven new flight surgeons will be able to not only perform physicals on student pilots who want to serve the country of Iraq, but they will also be able to take care of the current pilots," said Col. Dodson. "This will add to the strength of the Iraqi military." Not only are the Iraqi flight surgeons learning how to perform physicals on their future patients, they are also learning how to outfit aircraft for aero-medical missions. "Today we are learning how to convert the UH-1 Huey from a passenger version into an aero-medical version that can carry litters," said Col. Dodson. The doctors also learned to convert the C-130 Hercules to carry litters stacked on vertical racks. The course, currently being taught by both Americans and Iraqis, will eventually be taught exclusively by members of the Iraqi military. Iraqi Air Force Capt. Mohammed Al Hijami Kadhim, the lead Iraqi flight surgeon instructor, said having the Coalition partnership in training will ultimately help the Iraqis build continuity so that one day they can take over completely. "This training is important because it is critical to do the aero-medical evacuation mission," he said. "We are very lucky that the Coalition side is present here because we want them to teach us how to do this mission perfectly before we take it over." |
ISF, CF Hit Bull’s-eye in Friendly Marksmanship Competition
| Tuesday, 28 April 2009 | |
| FORWARD OPERATING BASE BERNSTEIN, TUZ — Everyone was shooting, but no one was hurt when the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police, the Sons of Iraq and Coalition forces fired AK-47s, M4 carbines, and Glock 9mm pistols together in a friendly shooting tournament here, April 19. The event, hosted by Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, helped the four groups strengthen relationships. “This is a lot of fun,” said Pfc. Devin Nehring, a Co. A. “Shooting the AK-47 was really exciting, and they (the IA) have one guy out there who’s cash money – he’s hitting everything.” “Some people are natural marksmen,” said Khalid Shwan Ibrahim, a Sons of Iraq member who competed against some of the best the Salah ad-Din province has to offer. Halfway through the day, Soldiers from Co. A fired up a grill and started cooking traditional American barbeque fare for all the competitors. “This food is very good,” said Mowlud Shakour, one of the Sons of Iraq’s top competitors. “The men on the grill are talented, because they can cook and be Soldiers at the same time,” he quipped. The competition was a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs, and each group took the lead at least once during the full-day event. After each iteration, scores were posted as eager competitors looked on. There were pats on the back and pep talks between each episode as the marksmen prepared to shoot again. Spc. Mostafa El Saka, a linguist, was impressed by the accuracy of the Iraqi Security Forces. “If you look at the results, the Sons of Iraq are doing the best right now. For people who don’t get many opportunities to practice shooting, they’re all doing very well.” Sgt. Shaun Maynard, who was one of the scorekeepers throughout the competition, was excited to watch new friendships blossom as the ISF members both teased and congratulated one another. “This is a nice little get-together,” said Maynard. “We’re getting to interact with the ISF; we get to see how they are when they’re having fun instead of being all business.” During the last event, the Suleyman Bek police department catapulted into the lead. Although they had no experience with the Americans’ M4 carbines, U.S. Soldiers coached them all the way to first place. Immediately after the final event, Lt. Col. Chris Stenman, who commands the Special Troops Battalion, handed out certificates to the event’s top shooters and gave a short speech to the group. “I’d like to invite you all to come do this again,” said Stenman. “We’ve started something today that should become a tradition, and I’m very impressed with both the results and your professionalism as Iraqi Security Forces.” (Multi-National Division – North) |
Iraqi Freedom Minute, April 27
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 Watch Now |
Boom!
An Iraqi Soldier from Mortar Battery, 142nd Iraqi Army Brigade, fires the M120 mortar system on Camp Taji, Baghdad, Iraq, April 25. Photo by Spc. Joshua E. Powell.
Friendly Reminder
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Miller attached to the Rough Riders, 91st Battalion, Task Force Dragon, relaxes with group of Iraqi policemen at a firing range in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, on April 23. The Rough Riders are instructing Iraqi policemen how to safely aim and fire their weapons. These policemen will then be sent out to instruct other Iraqi Police officers throughout Iraq. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert J. Whelan
Stumble It!
