January 28, 2006 Official Weekly Command Information Report for the Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq

Transcription

1 January 28, 2006 The Advis r Cadets join the fight Official Weekly Command Information Report for the Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq

2 Page 2 January 28, 2006 THE ADVISOR Volume 3 Issue 3 Commanding General U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey Command Sergeant Major U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ralph G. White Public Affairs Officer U.S. Army Lt. Col. Frederick Wellman Deputy Public Affairs Officer U.S. Army Capt. Mark Jacobsen Layout and Design Editor U.S. Army Master Sgt. Ryan Mosier Public Affairs NCOIC U.S. Army Sgt. 1st. Class Paul Tuttle Journalists U.S. Navy JO2 John J. Pistone U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Woodbury CPATT Public Affairs Officer Ann Bertucci The Advisor is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Defense Department and multinational partners. Contents of this paper are not necessarily the offi cial views of the U.S. government, multinational partners of the U.S. Department of Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Multi- National Security Transition Command Iraq Public Affairs Offi ce. Direct questions and comments to: pao@mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil MNSTC-I PAO APO AE DPN: To subscribe to The Advisor, visit us online at: ON THE COVER A cadet from the Iraqi Military Academy at Al Rustamiyah stands at the position of attention during the commissioning ceremony Jan.19. The cadet is a member of the first class to graduate from the academy under the year-long Sandhurst-modeled training program. Photo by U.S. Navy JO2 John J. Pistone DOD officials: Military culture must change to fight long war By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON As the United States confronts terrorism, military personnel have to make a cultural shift as they fight what officials now call the Long War, senior DOD officials said. Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in an interview that the generation of servicemembers entering the military today must focus on how the United States will deal with extremist networks that threaten America and its allies. Odierno said the situation is analogous to the situation confronting servicemembers who fought the Cold War. The Cold War was a generational conflict that started after World War II and only ended with the break-up of the Soviet Union in This generation of servicemembers will be in what we re calling the Long War, the general said. Our estimate is that for at least the next 20 years, part of our focus will be on how do we deal with the extremist networks that will continue to threaten the United States and its allies. While conventional forces must remain robust and their capabilities must remain second to none, the military s focus will broaden to include a greater emphasis on special operations. We have to be able to respond conventionally if necessary, but we must provide more focus on irregular warfare missions, Odierno said. Even after the defeat of al Qaeda, extremists groups will remain a problem, Odierno said. This will be complicated because terrorist networks are non-state actors that may be operating in friendly nations. The mission will not be to confront armies, navies or air forces, but shadowy groups. The Long War will require different military capabilities and require U.S. leaders to develop a holistic concept of how to defeat these networks. Odierno said this entails being able to coordinate the military aspect of the fight with the efforts of diplomats, financial experts, police officials and others. It also will entail countering propaganda and misinformation that extremists release. Another piece of the Long War for servicemembers is cultural awareness, Odierno said. Young leaders must understand what drives extremists. We have to try to understand why they do the things they do, because you have to understand your enemy, he said. Troops will also have to understand countries U.S. forces will operate in. You have to understand what their cultures are, what s important to them, Odierno said. We have learned a lot in the last three or four years, but we have a long way to go. As part of the Long War mindset, the military is moving more toward an expeditionary force. With ground forces moving back to the United States, we are able to react around the world and rotate forces quickly, he said. All ground forces are going to have to work more closely with special operations forces and must enhance their capabilities to work in irregular environments. Special operations forces must also develop new capabilities, and the United States must develop more special operations personnel, Odierno said. While the changes affect ground forces the most, the Air Force and Navy are not spared. The Air Force global strike capability will be crucial in shaping the battlefield. The Navy, while maintaining its skills in the open ocean, known as blue-water capabilities, will move more into littoral, or coastal, warfare. Even after we win in Iraq, even after we win in Afghanistan, there will be extremist groups that will threaten us, Odierno said. Military personnel must be ready for whatever confronts them in this Long War.

3 Page 3 January 28, 2006 Cadets first to graduate from year-long military training By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Woodbury MNSTC-I Public Affairs AL RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq The first class of cadets for the new Iraqi Army graduated from the Iraqi Military Academy Al Rustamiyah under the year-long Sandhurst-modeled curriculum Jan. 19. The 73 graduates completed 52-weeks of intensive military training in order to become the Iraqi Army s newest officers. The training included 2,490 hours of lesson time and 14 field training exercises. The cadets training focused on basic soldier skills, small unit tactics, communications, decision making and developing leadership skills suitable for an officer in the army. The event, attended by Minister of Defense special advisor retired Iraqi Lieutenant General Dahim Awad and Gen. James L. Jones, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, was an opportunity for the cadets to celebrate their training and accomplishment over the past year. I am very proud of myself and the other graduates, said newly commissioned Lt. Raad through the aid of an interpreter. Today is also a great day for the Army. During the ceremony, the graduating cadets passed the senior class flag on to the junior class. The graduates then recited the officer s oath of allegiance. The highlight of the ceremony for one cadet was responding to role call with the rank of lieutenant for the first time. I feel now I am ready to serve and lead in the Iraqi Army. said Lt. Sadik, Photos by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Woodbury A newly commissioned officer in the Iraqi Army gets lieutenant epaulets buttoned onto his uniform after his graduation ceremony Jan. 19 at the Iraqi Military Academy Al Rustamiyah. The academy traces its roots to 1924 when the British built the facility at its current site to train Iraqi Army officers. through the aid of an interpreter. The senior class celebrated their induction into the officer ranks with the traditional buttoning of new lieutenant epaulets on their uniforms while seeking their first salutes from the noncommissioned officers who have trained them for the past year. Instructors at the academy said they are proud of the new officers. These soldiers have set the bar high for the next class, said U.S. Army Maj. Joseph Brunetti, IMAR assistant chief instructor. Today s graduates are truly ready to be leaders in the Iraqi Army. The soldiers will now join units throughout Iraq to fill junior officer appointments in all branches of the Iraqi Army. Newly commissioned officers in the Iraqi Army speak to the press after their graduation Jan. 19. Cadets march in formation during their promotion graduation at Al Rustamiyah Jan. 19.

4 Page 4 January 28, 2006 Iraqi Military Academy Al Rustamiyah has rich military history Built by the British in 1924 Linked with the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst until 1990 Abandoned by the Iraqis in January 2003 prior to the war Occupied by the U.S. Army in mid-2003 Handed over to MNSTC-I and CMATT in March of 2004 Reconstruction commenced in May of 2004 Major reconstruction works completed September of 2005 Photo by U.S. Navy JO2 John J. Pistone Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Woodbury Iraqi army, MiTT soldiers learn skills from each other By U.S. Army Spc. Karl Johnson 363rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq The Military Training Team s task is to prepare the Iraqi Army to take over the job of securing its country. Coalition soldiers are keenly aware that the public is watching their progress with interest and understand a wellrun Iraqi army is necessary to the success of Iraq, according to MiTT officials. In Mahmudiyah, a city south of Baghdad, the goal of training the Iraqi Army to take over operations is being tackled. It s a very challenging mission, but the more we stay with the Iraqi Army, the better they become, said Staff Sgt. Arturo Delagarza, MiTT 2, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). That way they can transition to taking over their area, and we can shift to another location or even out entirely. The process of preparing the Iraqi Army for the eventual turnover is one that requires the dedication of both Iraqi and Coalition forces. They know we re not here to take over, Delagarza said. We re here to help build, and they re working toward taking over for themselves. The Iraqi Army conducts raids, patrols and operates traffic control points on their own now, said Delagarza. These examples of the ever-improving Iraqi army are reasons for hope and excitement, he said. And yet, there are still transition goals that remain to be accomplished. Along with partnered missions, the MiTT provides various types of training to the Iraqi Army to help with overall development. We ve done a lot of tactical training with these guys, said Capt. Ryan Hartwig, officer in charge, MiTT 2, 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), like entering and clearing rooms, close-quarters marksmanship and basic movement formations. MiTT leadership say they are impressed with the experience the Iraqi soldiers bring with their training. I m finding out that a lot of them have been in the army for a long time, and they ve got some great ideas, said Capt. John Stroh, MiTT 2, 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Division. There is a reason the U.S. has such a professional Army, said Hartwig. We have an NCO corps, and we re trying hard to build an Iraqi NCO corps. One of the biggest steps taken to help build the Iraqi army NCO Corps is the establishment of the first Primary Leadership Development Course. In January 2005, the Primary Leadership Development Course graduated its first students. Those graduates are just the beginning of the professional development plan under way for the Iraqi Army. For two weeks following their graduation, the first graduate students received the training necessary to begin teaching the leadership course themselves.

5 Page 5 January 28, 2006 Iraqi Security forces assume Diwaniya and Kut Province s battle space By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Woodbury MNSTC-I Public Affairs Iraqi Maj. Gen. Othman, 8th Iraqi Army Division commander, fields questions from the media after the battle space assumption ceremony Jan. 26 at Camp Echo. Photos by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Woodbury Polish Maj. Gen. Piotr Czerwinski, Multi-National Division - Central South commanding general, and Iraqi Maj. Gen. Othman, 8th Iraqi Army Division commander, sign documents transferring the security responsibilities of Diwaniya and Al Kut Provinces over to the 8th Iraqi Army Division Jan. 26 at Camp Echo. DIWANIYA, Iraq Iraqi Security Forces assumed security of the Diwaniya and Al Kut provinces from the Multinational Division - Central South during a ceremony at Camp Echo Jan. 26. The ceremony, attended by Gen. George Casey, Multi-National Forces Iraq commander and other Iraqi and Coalition forces leaders, was the capstone of the completion of the Iraqi Security Forces Coalition training and the MND-CS certification process, according the divison s leadership. This is a great chapter in the Iraqi Army s history, said Iraqi Maj. Gen. Othman, 8th Iraqi Army Division commander, about the handover of battle space security to his soldiers. I am grateful to the Coalition for their support, and I truly feel we are ready for this new responsibility. The handover was made official by the signing of a aggreement by Iraqi and Coalition military and police leaders. Today s handover demonstrates two important things happening in Iraq, said Casey. First, there is real progress happening with the Iraqi Security Forces and second, there is a strong partnership within the Coalition Forces to accomplish the task of training Iraqi forces to take over the fight. The Coalition Military Transition Teams focused their training efforts on the units of the 8th Iraqi Army Division and the Iraqi Border Police which made the handover happen, according to MND-CS leadership. In September, the MND-CS certified six battalions of the 8th Iraqi Army Division operating in the Babil, Diwaniyah and Al Kut provinces. In November, staff members of two Iraqi brigades were certified and took over command of their battalions. Lastly, Dec. 20, the training of the division level was concluded, and 8th Iraqi Army Division staff were certified by MND-CS. During this same time MND-CS worked side-by-side with the Iraqi Police Service and Border Police. Some of the specific training the ISF received to prepare them for the handover was counter-insurgency operations, force protection, reconnaissance, operation planning process, communication and engineering support. The way the ISF handled themselves during the referendum election proved to me they were capable of handling operations on their own, said Polish Maj. Gen. Piotr Czerwinski, MND-CS commanding general. I am confident the ISF will continue to provide professional force protection in the area. To date, MND-CS has aided the Iraqi Army in recruiting and training more than 20,000 Iraqi soldiers. U.S. Army Gen. George Casey, Multi-National Forces Iraq commander, and Iraqi Lt. Gen. Nasier Abadi, deputy chief of staff for the Iraqi Armed Forces, discuss the handover process during the ceremony at Camp Echo Jan. 26.

6 Page 6 January 28, 2006 NCO academy training builds stronger enlisted leadership By U.S. Army Sgt. Rachel Brune 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Sustainment Brigade Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq The light rain that began as a drizzle in the early morning turned into a downpour, covering Perimeter Street in a thick coat of mud. Down the long, gray road, the first three runners drew nearer, running as quickly as they could in their desert combat boots. Sgt. 1st Class Wesley E. Derrick, a senior instructor at the NCO Academy, looked down at his watch and began counting time out loud. Breathing hard, the soldiers in their distinctive chocolate chip patterned fatigues crossed the finish line and stood single file to catch their breath. Jan. 23 marked the third day of training at Q-West Base Complex for Iraqi NCOs, beginning at 6 a.m. with physical training or a PT test. The test, a modified version of the U.S. Army physical fitness test, consisted of three events. The soldiers had one minute each to do as many sit ups and push ups as possible, then complete a one-mile, timed run. As U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Edwin R. Sanchez, an infantryman from 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, read the instructions, he paused frequently to allow interpreters to translate his words into Arabic and Kurdish. Fellow instructor U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Willie Signil, also of 1-17th Infantry, demonstrated the proper way to complete each exercise. The Iraqi soldiers have never taken this kind of a PT test and most do not perform group PT on a regular basis, said Sanchez. They re a little rough right now, said Sanchez, in between test-takers. In a few days, they ll be rolling. Alongside the American instructors, Iraqi army instructors Sgts. 1st Class Neshwan and Mohammed pushed the soldiers to pound out more push ups or exert themselves for one last sit up. Neshwan got down on the floor and did push ups along with the soldiers to keep them from giving up. Once they start the cycle here, we challenge them every day, said Mohammed through an interpreter. He added, the point of the course is to push the soldiers. If the training is too easy, after graduation they will know nothing, said Mohammed. Then they will go out, and the terrorists will be able to kill them. This is the challenge the instructors face. This NCO course is not just for promotion points. These Iraqi NCOs and their soldiers will go back to facing terrorists shortly after they receive their graduation certificates. The day after graduation, these guys can be on a mission, said Signil, who is originally from Philadelphia, Pa. For the first three days, the training takes place mostly in the classroom. Each instructor teaches blocks of information such as the Iraqi Army Values or Law of Land Warfare. The most important instruction is the Iraqi army values, because when they learn these, they will do everything the right way, said Mohammed. The instructors teach the values with Courtesy photos NCO academy instructors at Q- West Base Complex encourage Iraqi soldiers during their physical training time. use hypothetical scenarios to get the trainees to think about using the values in their daily lives as soldiers, said Sanchez. We tell them, for example, you can t be late for a mission, said Sanchez. If they are professional at their job, people will see they want to do good things for their country. The instructors have varying levels of experience training soldiers. The Americans are all noncommissioned officers, the Army s first-line leaders, and here they face not one, but two language barriers. You learn that if you can teach these guys, you can teach [anyone], said Sanchez. Unlike American recruits, the Iraqi soldiers and NCOs who attend both the NCO Academy basic combat training course and the NCO course are not fresh from civilian life. The different Iraqi army battalions hand pick soldiers to attend the training, many of whom may have already served for about a year or more, said Derrick. An Iraqi soldier practices his marching skills while he attends the NCO academy at Q-West Base Complex. a presentation that includes the definition of each value in English and Arabic. They See ACADEMY, Page 7

7 Page 7 January 28, 2006 Q-West Base Complex NCO academy trains enlisted leaders From ACADEMY, Page 6 Under these circumstances, part of the training is to break bad habits by showing the soldiers the correct way of performing missions such as manning traffic control points or by teaching them the Iraqi Army values or the Warrior Ethos. Derrick admits he had some misconceptions before beginning as an instructor at the Academy, which is currently the main training facility for northern Iraq. I was skeptical, said Derrick. I changed my perspective. For example, one of the Iraqi trainees was a first sergeant with 18 years of experience. He assisted us through the NCO course, said Derrick. Standing in the rain, the new batch of NCOs shivered as Staff Sgt. Alvin J. Cates, an NCO academy instructor, listed their student identification numbers next to their run times. Cates primarily teaches combatives, or self-defense. I think they like [the combatives] a lot, said Cates. When asked why the recruits enjoyed his class so much, he shrugged and smiled. They re guys, said Cates. They like to fight. People like to know how to defend themselves. At the end of the pack of runners, Sanchez, Mohammed and Neshwan brought up the rear. As they neared the finish, Neshwan jokingly grabbed Sanchez by the arm to help him over the line. The Americans unanimously speak of their Iraqi colleagues with respect. If all Iraqi soldiers were like [Mohammed and Neshwan], we d be out of here tomorrow, said Signil. Courtesy photo NCO academy instructors at Q-West Base Complex encourage Iraqi soldiers to do one more push-up during physical training time. They are the two best Iraqi soldiers I ve ever met, said Derrick. The coming days at the Academy s 21-day course will bring many more classes on subjects such as drill and ceremony, urban operations and professional development as a soldier. If the training is like this all the time, all the areas [in Iraq] will be safe and all the U.S. soldiers will be able to go home, said Mohammed. TAJI A soldier from the 1st Tank Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, moves into position to conduct a search north of Baghdad Jan. 21 as a Military Transition Team advisor observes the action. Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brent Hunt

8 Page 8 January 28, 2006 Courtesy photo U.S. Air Force Capt. LeeAnn Roberts, a Coalition Military Assistance Training Team leader, instructs Iraqi trainees and a Coalition Soldier the proper firing techniques on the range at Al Kasik Training Base. Roberts is the first female instructor assigned to the base, and the only female assigned to the 8,000 man Iraqi base. U.S. Air Force captain overcomes cultural challenge By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Woodbury MNSTC-I Public Affairs AL KASIK, Iraq For one U.S. Air Force captain, breaking down gender barriers is something that just seems to happen in her military career. Capt. LeeAnn Roberts, a Coalition Military Assistance Training Team leader, is breaking both gender and cultural barriers by being the first female instructor at Al Kasik Training Base and the only female assigned to the 8,000 man Iraqi base. Roberts teaches the new Iraqi recruits basic policing and military skills needed in order to be a part of an army currently fighting insurgency throughout the country. Dealing with a culture still adjusting to Western ideas of women s roles has been a growing experience for Roberts. The soldiers are a little hesitant at first to take instruction from a female, she said. When they see that I know what I am talking about, however, they take instruction from me like anyone else. When the Iraqi trainees grasp the skills Roberts has taught, it brings her a sense of accomplishment in her work. When they finally get the things I m training, she said, it makes me proud to know I am equipping them with the skills they need to protect their country from terrorism. Roberts says that much like American culture, she knows she s been accepted by the trainees when they gave her a special nickname. The first group I trained gave me the nickname my sister. she said. This nickname seemed to be the one of choice from training group to training group. Roberts said the Iraqi leadership on the base has been the key to her training success. They really make sure I m treated right, said Roberts said. It is nice to know if a trainee can t overcome the barrier, I can rely on the leadership here to make things right. Capt. Joseph Pabalan, CMATT training group leader, handpicked her to be a part of the training team because of his experience working with her in the past. I knew she had the knowledge, ability and skill to train troops, said Pabalan. I also knew she was up to any challenge we would place in front of her. Pabalan said Roberts has an innate ability to pass her knowledge and skills to others regardless of the barrier placed in front of her. I m grateful for the opportunities the military has provided for me to do new things, Roberts said. I simply view every assignment as another mission that needs to get accomplished. Roberts began her military career 15 years ago after enlisting as a military police soldier in the U.S. Army. She spent 10 years as a military police officer before attending U.S. Army Officer Candidate School to become an ordnance officer. She spent two years as an ordnance officer before crossing over into the U.S. Air Force as a security forces officer. During her Army enlistment, Roberts broke her first barrier when she was assigned to be the first female to work at the Federal Penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas death row. I don t wake up every morning and think, what barrier can I break today. Roberts said. I just do my job and things just seem to happen. Roberts is stationed out of the U.S. Air Force Academy where she is the 10th Security Forces Squadron s deputy commander.

9 Page 9 January 28, 2006 Iraqi Air Force completes first validation flight By U.S. Navy Journalist 2nd Class John J. Pistone MNSTC-I Public Affairs BASRAH, Iraq The Iraqi Air Force flew the first mission where they transported supplies other than their own during a flight from Baghdad to Basrah Jan. 20. The supplies carried were communication equipment for the Iraqi Navy, supplies for the Iraqi Army and personnel going to various locations throughout Iraq. Every aspect of the flight was handled by the Iraqis, with Coalition instructors on hand as advisors. The Iraqis planned the flight, submitted the proper flight time requests, packaged and loaded the pallets, secured the cargo and an Iraqi pilot flew the plane. This flight was what we call a validation flight because they were responsible for every part, U. S. Air Force Captain Victor Suspects captured throughout northern Iraq By 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs TIKRIT, Iraq Iraqi security forces and Task Force Band of Brothers Soldiers detained 51 suspected terrorists during a series of unrelated actions throughout northern Iraq Jan. 24. In the largest action of the day, Iraqi troops from the 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division planned and conducted a large early morning raid Jan. 24 in three villages outside of Baqubah. The unit detained 19 suspects, including eight known to have strong ties to terrorists in the area. In the Bayji area, Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division s 3rd Brigade Combat Team continued to make progress against terrorists that have plagued the area. Ten known or suspected terrorists were captured in and around the city. Tips from Bayji area residents generated a series of searches south of the city early morning Jan. 24 which led to the capture of four men Norris said. It was a test for the Iraqi Air Force, and they passed with flying colors. According to Norris, this was not just a test of their flight skills but a test of their logistics and coordination training as well. From getting the correct load on each pallet and organizing the order in which the pallets went on the plane, to seating the passengers, no detail was overlooked he said. For us [Iraqis], this flight represents a huge step in being independent of the coalition, Iraqi Navy Captain Faqued who was accompanying the Navy s communication equipment said. We do not want to rely on them to get our supplies and goods to us. The plane arrived on time, refueled, loaded the equipment and personnel and took off on schedule. There were no incidents on the flight from Baghdad to Basra, and the plane landed on schedule. This mission was a success and the start of a whole new era for the Iraqi Air Force, Norris said. closely tied to a terrorist ring responsible for committing murders and beheadings in the area. A fifth man was killed after firing a pistol at the Soldiers searching his home. In another positive development, a local tribal leader brought three suspected members of an IED cell from the Bayji area to a coalition base and turned them over to coalition forces. Working with Iraqi troops from the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, the unit discovered two caches of weapons and stolen Iraqi Army uniforms and captured 12 suspects. The troops began their mission working from one tip and with each turn of events, another tip surfaced that carried the soldiers to two separate caches and 12 individuals. The citizens of northern Iraq continue to build confidence in the security forces protecting the newly established democracy, as the Iraqi soldiers grow into a mature, capable force, directly responsible for safeguarding the rights and lives of the people of Iraq. Photo by U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Molinaro U.S. Army Capt. Ben Simms, the Company D commander, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division; Saleh Husen Alwan, Diyarah Imam and Iraqi Capt. Majed Hady Al-Shemevy, 4th Company commander, 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division officially opened a new food distribution center Jan. 25 for the city of Diyarah, Iraq. The project was a total community effort as local politicians acquired funding for the project, construction workers rebuilt the structures, and Iraqi soldiers secured the area so the workers safe from terrorist threat. (2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office)

10 Page 10 January 28, 2006 IRAQI SECURITY FORCES / in brief Men, caches found in raid by Iraqi soldiers TAL AFAR Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division detained two men after a raid on their homes in Tal Afar disclosed weapons caches Jan. 25. The caches consisted of a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, five RPG rounds, rocket propellants, three AK-47 rifles, a shotgun and assorted ammunition. The caches and men were turned over to authorities for further action. Iraqi soldiers discover weapons caches HIT Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division and Coalition forces discovered nine weapons caches while conducting patrols along the Euphrates River Jan. 25. The caches consisted of four 107 mm rockets, one 120 mm rocket, one 122 mm rocket, eight 120 mm rocket warheads, a rocket launcher bipod, six 14.5 mm rounds, mm rounds, caliber rounds, mm rounds, mm rounds, 16 rocket-propelled grenade warheads, 37 RPG rockets, mm fuses, a blasting cap, five grenade fuses, mm mortar fuses, one TNT high explosive round, two 160 mm canister charges, 90 pounds of propellant and two pounds of explosives. The caches were taken into custody for further disposition. Troops make arrests, clear cache near Haditha HADITHA Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division collared four men and cleared an illicit weapons cache Jan. 24 during operations conducted near Haditha. The military-aged males were taken into custody for further investigation and questioning. The cache consisted of an AK-47 rifle with 65 magazines, three hand grenades, one K98 rifle, 400 rounds of loose small arms ammunition, 15 pounds of propellant, two feet of detonation cord, a garage door opener and two load-bearing vests. Troops find cache during combat patrol AL KHALIDIYAH Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division discovered a cache during a combat patrol north of Al Khalidiyah Jan. 24. The cache consisted of four 155 mm rounds, three 3-inch rockets, one anti-tank mine and one radio. The cache were handed over to the authorities to be destroyed. Soldiers find cache in Mosul MOSUL Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division found a weapons cache Jan. 24. The cache consisted of four 60 mm high explosive rounds and mm white phosphorus rounds. The cache was turned over to authorities. Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Company C, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, hand out rice, meat, blankets and Iraqi flags to Abu Ghraib citizens Jan. 13. (1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs) Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Shonnel Makwakwa

11 Page 11 January 28, 2006 IRAQI SECURITY FORCES / in brief Soldier wounded, caches cleared near Hit HIT Troops from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division sustained one casualty and found and cleared six caches Jan. 24 during joint operations with Coalition personnel by the Euphrates River near Hit. The soldier was wounded when the troops engaged insurgents near a bridge on the river. The illicit caches produced a mixed bag of two AK-47 rifles with eight loaded magazines, 14 assorted artillery rounds and fuses, 300 rounds of assorted small arms ammunition, 51 rounds for a 57 mm recoilless rifle, four ski masks and a license plate. The arms and ammunition were taken into custody for further investigation and disposition. Police find bomb near Baqubah BAQUBAH Iraqi Police discovered a bomb in a road pothole east of Baqubah after receiving a location tip Jan. 23. An explosive team was called to the site and found the bomb made of one 155 mm round, one 130 mm round and one foot of detonation cord. The explosive team realized the bomb had no initiation system and conducted a controlled blast to disarm it. Soldiers captures four terrorists, seizes weapons TIKRIT Iraqi Soldiers captured four suspected terrorists and seized several weapons caches during two cordon and search missions in Diyala Province Jan. 24. Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division conducted the first mission with coalition troops near Baqubah Monday morning. They discovered a bunker camouflaged by palm trees with four separate caches. The Iraqi Soldiers found a 60 mm mortar tube, detonating fuses, more than mm rounds, three load bearing vests with six AK-47 assault rifle magazines, grenades, 35 blocks of plastic explosives and various IED components. Soldiers from the same battalion conducted searches in two villages south of Baqubah Monday evening and detained four suspects and uncovered a substantial weapons cache. The Iraqi troops seized 11 artillery shells, five grenades, eight kilograms of dynamite, a mortar round and IED-making materials. They also discovered terrorist propaganda about killing Iraqi Police and Soldiers. (101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs) Iraqi troops find caches, capture insurgents HIT Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division and Coalition forces found six caches and captured three insurgents during patrols of various cities Jan. 23. The six caches consists of 15 pounds of explosives, two rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 21 RPG boosters, six RPG motors, 18 RPG warheads, caliber rounds, mm rounds, mm rounds, one mortar sights, 280 mortar fuses, 75 artillery fuses, two rocket motors, two feet of time fuse, two cell phone base stations, three mortar fins, one mortar base plate, two cell phones and 2,000-feet of wire. The stashes were found along the Euphrates River near Hit. Soldiers also detained two men for having weapons in their homes during a search northeast of Baghdad. Later, a man in southeast Muhammadi who claimed to have information regarding insurgent activity was detained. The caches and the insurgents were turned over to the authorities for further disposition. Soldiers capture insurgents, find cache KHALIDIYAH Troops from the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division captured four insurgents in Khalidiyah and discovered a cache north of Khalidiyah Jan. 20. One of the captured insurgents admitted he had been placing improvised explosive devices and implicated the other three men during his confession. The cache consisted of one 200 pound bomb, six 4-inch rockets, 60 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, five RPG launchers, one 120 mm round, two sniper rifles, four machine guns, five AK-47 assault rifles, one roll of detonation cord, twopounds of explosives, 12 blasting caps and several rolls of electrical wire. Both insurgents and cache materials were turned over to the authorities.

12 Page 12 January 28, 2006 IRAQI SECURITY FORCES / in brief Iraqi, Coalition forces repel attacks in Ramadi RAMADI Iraqi Army soldiers and Coalition forces repulsed attacks on military bases that started at approximately 3:45 p.m. Jan. 20 in the provincial capital of Ar Ramadi, about 100 kilometers west of Baghdad. The attacks were a combination of small arms and mortar fire which coincided with the Iraqi government s announcement of results from the first democratic election under the new constitution. Iraqi Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 1st Public Order Brigade along with Coalition forces defeated the attacks within an hour using a combination of small arms fire, medium and heavy weapons and pre-planned aviation assets. (2nd Division Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs) Early-morning mission nets seven terrorists HASWAH Iraqi army Soldiers and Multi National Division Baghdad Soldiers conducted a pre-dawn mission that resulted in the capture of seven suspected terrorists east of Haswah Jan. 20. Soldiers from 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division cordoned off the area as Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division air assaulted in and detained the suspects who were trying to flee the area. (2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs) Soldiers find bomb in Fallujah FALLUJAH Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division discovered a bomb in a rice bag along the side of a road while on a patrol Jan. 20 in northwest Fallujah. A cordon was established around the bomb while troops searched for secondary explosives and the possible triggermen. An explosive ordnance disposal team disarmed the bomb with no injuries or damages. Cache discovered north of Camp Habbaniyah HABBANIYAH Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division discovered a cache and medical supplies in a home four kilometers north of Camp Habbaniyah Jan. 19. The cache and medical supplies consisted of two hand grenades, two blasting caps, wire, an AK-47 stock and penicillin. The soldiers turned the cache over to the authorities to be destroyed. Police find insurgent, cache DIYALA PROVINCE Police detained an insurgent after finding detonator, wires and anti-coalition propaganda in a car during a search in the city of Jalula Jan. 18. The police then traveled to the man s home and found four 120 mm rounds, two batteries, three fuses and two rolls of tape. The insurgent and cache were turned over to the authorities. Iraqi army, U.S. Soldiers enjoy soccer match BAGHDAD Iraqi Army and Coalition Soldiers took time to enjoy a soccer tournament held throughout the month of December at Camp Justice in the Kadamiyah area of western Baghdad. The 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division invited Coalition Soldiers from 1-10th Mountain s 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, who work closely with the Iraqi soldiers, were invited to enter the tournament. Each participant was given a trophy to commemorate the friendly spirit between (Iraqi) and U.S. Army Soldiers, both on and off the soccer field, said U.S. Army Maj. John Beatty, 1-71 Cavalry executive officer. Brig. Gen. Jaleel Khalif Shwail, 1-6 Iraqi Army commander, invited the Coalition participants to attend the final game with him in his sky box. U.S. Army Capt. Jessica Grembi, a medical officer with Company C, 10th Brigade Support Battalion, was at Camp Justice conducting a preventative medical assessment and also participated in the event. She was recognized at the awards presentation for being the only female to participate in the tournament. (10th Mountain Division Public Affairs) Photo by U.S. Navy Lt. Stephen Sherman

13 Page 13 January 28, 2006 IRAQI SECURITY FORCES / in brief Soldiers discover mass grave BAGHDAD The bodies of 11 murdered members of the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police were discovered by Soldiers of the 1st Brigade, 9th Iraqi Division and Soldiers from Multi-National Division - Baghdad s 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, in a mass grave west of Attarmiya, Iraq Jan. 18. All of the murder victims were found bound and blindfolded. The incident is under investigation by Iraqi authorities. (Multi-National Division Baghdad Public Affairs) Iraqi Army conducts cordon, search mission TAJI The 1st Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, supported by 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, conducted a cordon and search operation north of Baghdad Jan. 17. The Iraqi Soldiers searched 50 houses, finding one small-arms weapons cache and detained seven local nationals. Brig. Gen. Nazzal Kassim, the Iraqi brigade commander, personally led this operation to defeat local terrorist cells. The Iraqi Army planned and executed this operation in under 24 hours, said Col. James Pasquarette, commander, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Iraqi Army increases in quality every day. (1st Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs) Nine detained, murder victim discovered BAGHDAD Iraqi Security Forces and the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Infantry Division detained nine individuals suspected of making improvised explosive devices Jan. 16. Elements of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, the Hamiyah Police Department and Coalition forces combined forces to cordon off a region near Musayib to search for known terrorists. The units worked together, moving from house to house to detain those suspected of terrorist activity in the area. Eight suspects are being held for questioning by Coalition Forces. One was identified as a known terrorist and remains in Iraqi Security Forces custody. The 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment found the dead body of a male Iraqi Jan. 15 in Al Hillah. The Al Hillah Police transported the body to the hospital morgue and are attempting to identify it with their missing-persons list. The body was found with his hands tied behind his back, blind-folded and shot in the head. Both incidents are currently under investigation. (Task Force Ironhorse Public Affairs) Citizens lead forces to drive-by suspect TIKRIT Iraqi civilians in Mosul led Iraqi police and Coalition forces to the house of a man wanted for a driveby shooting Jan. 15. Iraqi police reported that a vehicle approached them and began to fire at the policemen with an automatic rifle. The car sped away and the police were unable to catch up to it before it was lost in dense traffic. Citizens who witnessed the event gave information concerning the direction the vehicle traveled. Coalition forces responded to help the police as they continued to follow tip after tip until led directly into the suspect s yard. The troops cordoned the area around the house as the police searched the residence and found the car involved with the shooting as well as the man responsible. (101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs) Soldiers detain nine suspects BAGHDAD Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces detained nine individuals suspected of making improvised explosive devices Jan. 15. Elements of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, the Hamiyah Police Department and Coalition forces combined forces to cordon off a region near Musayib to search for known terrorists. The units worked together, moving from house to house to detain those suspected of terrorist activity in the area. Eight suspects are being held for questioning by Coalition Forces. One was identified as a known terrorist and remains in Iraqi Security Forces custody pending further investigation. (Task Force Baghdad Public Affairs) Arms cache discovered near Barwanah RAMADI An Iraqi Army and Coalition patrol operating on the outskirts of Barwanah seized a cache after a Coalition translator discovered it Jan. 14. The site was secured overnight and excavation resumed early the next day. In addition to the first cache found, 10 additional caches were also discovered. The 11 caches uncovered produced 137 artillery rounds of various sizes, 56 mortar rounds of various sizes, mm rockets, 14.5 mm armor piercing incendiary rounds and 1,900 pounds of propellant. A total of 4,000 pounds of high explosives were detonated by the explosive ordnance disposal team. (2nd Division Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs)