In Manuriya, Diyala, US "Advisors" working with Iraqi Security Forces Killed an Al-Qaeda Terrorist and captured seven others on the 18th.
In Rashidiyah, Diyala Province, Iraqis captured two "Promised Day Brigade" Terrorists.
In response, blew up at least two civilians in an Iraqi courthouse in Tikrit and gunmen killed 3 civilians in Diyala. In West Baghdad, US "Advisors" "assisting" Iraqi Security Forces captured an Al-Qaeda terrorist that specializes in car bombs. In Tarmiyah, on the 15th, US "Advisors" also assisted, on the 15th, also captured two Al-Qaeda terrorists.
In response, Terrorists in Iraq sent a suicide bomber to the Iraqi Army Recruiting Center to kill 51 Iraqis who were volunteering to defend their country and wounding more than 100 others.
Meanwhile, lead elements of the symbolic "Last Combat Brigade" of the 4th Stryker Brigade COMBAT Team, 2nd Infantry Division, left Camp Taji on the 17th, en route to Kuwait in fully armed and protected Mine Resistance Ambush Protected vehicles. And at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait are working 24/7 to keep a Million Gallons of fuel flowing to the Iraq Withdrawal efforts.
In Latafia, US "Advisors" along with their "assisted" Iraqi Security Force partners captured another Al-Qaeda bombmaker on the 17th. SPC Jamal Rhett of the 25th INFANTRY Brigade and Palmyra, NJ, gave his life on the 15th in Baqubah, Iraq in defense of Freedom.
The medical personnel of the USAF 332nd Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Wing continue to be moved by their patients, the wounded flying out of Balad, Iraq. The 103rd Sustainment Command continued to focus their Soldiers Skills on COMBAT Lifesaving Skills at the Joint Base in Balad, despite proclamations that Combat Troops were gone. To protect them from the dangers outside Balad, they welcomed in the 4th Battalion, 17th Iraqi Army Brigade to what was once known as al-Bakr Air Field.
In Amarah, Maysan, the 3rd Brigade COMBAT Team's PRT is working with the Department of Agriculture to give 20 Farmers microgrants of up to $5,000 each via the Iraq Government. (4th INFANTRY Division)
Despite the lack of government five months after the election, with talks of a coalition broken, continued violence, a plea by an Iraqi General for at least a decade longer US presence, and a rush to withdraw "combat" named Troops, outgoing US Ambassador Christopher Hill says Iraq is moving in the right direction in a speech to Congress on the 17th.
The US Embassy held a class for Female Iraqi Police Officers to raise awareness of Human Trafficking and Domestic Abuse in Baghdad. And the 1st Brigade COMBAT Team, 3rd INFANTRY Division convinced Baghdad Al-Amal 4H Club Children to pledge to improve their country. The 1st Brigade, 3rd INFANTRY Division struggled to teach Iraqis how to maintain the first of their 140 new M1A1 tanks on the 15th.
Iraqis at the Ministry of Interior are getting serious about explosives and Major General Jihad Aluaibi Taher is heading it up with a Counter-Explosives Directorate, where he trains the science and technology of recognizing the threat, based on what Americans have taught him. And the 162nd EOD of the 1st Brigade COMBAT Team, 3rd INFANTRY Division were more than happy to teach the Iraqis a few tricks at FOB Shields, Baghdad.
Stumble It!
