Written by Spc. Jessica Luhrs
1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
Saturday, September 18, 2010 KIRKUK –While driving to the Mamah Iraqi Police station near here for a recent meeting with the station’s chief, an Army officer noticed something different about the Iraqi security checkpoints along the way; a change he feels sets a shining example for all IP stations to follow.
“While we were driving up we noticed that the checkpoints were being manned by Iraqi Police, Sons of Iraq [security volunteers] and Iraqi Army Soldiers,” recalled Capt. Jeff Kain, company commander for Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. “This is something that is not seen often and sets a standard for other stations.”
According to the Mamah Police Chief, Col. Hameed Omar Abdullah, he instituted this cooperative program to show the citizens their Iraqi Security Forces are united in fostering area security and keeping insurgents out.
He said since the IP have been working with their ISF brothers the security has improved in their area.
“Before the security was very bad but now everything is good because we are doing what we can to keep the insurgents out,” said Hameed, a veteran IP.
In addition to manning their multiple checkpoints, the IP frequently conduct patrols and other various operations with the ISF to help keep the peace.
“We are responsible for our security now,” said Hameed. “We will do whatever it takes to keep the insurgents out of our area.”